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Wisconsin WR Keontez Lewis explains his decision to transfer
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Wisconsin wide receiver Keontez Lewis on Thursday announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, just days before the 1-1 Badgers were to host Georgia Southern.
He detailed his reasons in an interview with The Athletic’s Jesse Temple in a quite candid interview later in the day, claiming that he eventually felt like the odd man out in the position room.
While initially being among those in the group getting a significant level of snaps in preseason, Lewis claimed that he eventually “could tell a little bit” after the Badgers’ season-opening win over Buffalo that his role was being deemphasized.
“The second game came around, it was the same thing. But stuff wasn’t communicated the right way. So that’s why I just felt like, ‘Hey, if I can’t be a part of something and I feel like I definitely can contribute, then it is what it is,'” he said.
Lewis stated that he initially considered entering the transfer portal shortly after Luke Fickell and the Badgers’ new staff arrived but “just stuck it out and just kept playing”, claiming that his eventual demotion to the team’s 2nd group of receivers in spring “happened for no reason” despite his best efforts.
“What would you do in this position? Zero snaps. Not getting any love. You’ve got burn time the first game. They just treat you like that and you know you’re a more capable player than that. Hey, I feel like I just did what anybody would’ve done that’s in my shoes,” he said.
Lewis had a decent season in 2022, making 20 catches for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns. Now, it appears his college career will continue elsewhere in 2024.