Wisconsin football is currently in a challenging situation as they continue to push for senior cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean to be eligible for the 2025 college football season. Head coach Luke Fickell, speaking at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, revealed that the university has officially filed an appeal with the NCAA in an attempt to reverse a previous ruling that denied Fourqurean’s eligibility.
Earlier in the year, Fourqurean had received a preliminary injunction from a Wisconsin court that allowed him to rejoin the Badgers and participate in spring practices. That legal decision was struck down earlier this month, leaving his future uncertain. The court essentially deferred the matter back to the NCAA, advising the organization to resolve it internally rather than prolong the legal proceedings.
According to Fickell, the university’s approach is not aimed at changing broader NCAA regulations or the structure of college football but at advocating for a single player’s right to continue his college career. Fickell emphasized that this case is about giving Fourqurean a fair opportunity and a chance to present his appeal in a meaningful way. He believes the NCAA now has the power to make a significant difference in the player’s life without disrupting the larger system.
Fickell officially submitted the appeal on Tuesday, with hopes that the NCAA will at least grant a hearing or meeting with Fourqurean. He stressed that Fourqurean’s situation is unique and deserves thoughtful consideration. The core argument in Fourqurean’s legal challenge was that the five-year eligibility window traditionally applied to college athletes shouldn’t include his two years at Division II Grand Valley State, where he played before transferring to Wisconsin.
Fourqurean contended that his time at GVSU restricted his ability to earn income from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, especially compared to players at higher levels. He cited a similar case involving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA despite spending two years at a junior college. Pavia will be playing this fall, whereas Fourqurean remains in limbo.
In terms of performance, Fourqurean has been a key contributor for Wisconsin. He had a breakout senior season with 51 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception. In two years with the Badgers, he accumulated 90 total tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, eight pass breakups, and an interception. Before arriving at Wisconsin, he was a standout at GVSU, earning First-Team All-American honors at the Division II level while playing 24 games for the Lakers.
Wisconsin’s 2025 fall camp begins on July 29, and there is uncertainty surrounding whether Fourqurean will be allowed to participate in practices if his appeal is still being processed. Fickell voiced optimism that the NCAA would recognize the significance of this case and at least open a dialogue.
As Wisconsin prepares for the season opener against Miami (OH) on August 28, the cornerback position is becoming a critical area of concern. With Fourqurean’s status unresolved, the Badgers will be thin at cornerback. The team does return Ricardo Hallman, a veteran and three-year starter, and also added D’Yoni Hill, a transfer from Miami (FL), who is expected to step into a starting role. Another option includes Geimere Latimer Jr., who is currently playing at nickel but might move to the outside.
Beyond these three, Wisconsin lacks experienced depth at the position. That leaves them potentially relying on younger players such as redshirt freshman Omillio Agard or true freshmen Cairo Skanes and Jaimier Scott. Fickell acknowledged the difficulty of relying on true freshmen in today’s college football landscape, but noted that these younger players have shown promise in summer preparation. He emphasized that the next month will be crucial for evaluating talent and determining roles within the secondary.
Fickell admitted that the program had hoped for a quicker resolution to the Fourqurean case. “We’ve gotta prepare like he’s not there and move forward,” Fickell said. Still, he reiterated that this appeal is more about Fourqurean than the team. “This is about a kid,” he stressed, while also noting that it does have implications for the team’s roster planning.
Discussing player options, Fickell said Agard is someone they’ve relied on in practices, and Hill, though new to the program, could be a key contributor. Latimer’s flexibility between nickel and outside corner adds another possible solution. As for the freshmen like Skanes and Scott, Fickell praised their early development but remained cautious, understanding the learning curve that comes with transitioning to Big Ten football.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin is also dealing with another issue — one of its most promising defensive line recruits, Drayden Pavey, is not currently with the team. Fickell confirmed that Pavey, a former Cincinnati Taft standout, has not reported to the program. A team official later clarified that Pavey is dealing with a personal matter.
“It’s a shame,” Fickell said about Pavey’s absence. He stressed that while the headlines are often focused on big-picture issues in college football, it’s important not to forget the human side of these athletes. He pointed out that players sometimes “lose their way,” hinting that Pavey’s situation may involve more than just a logistical delay.
Pavey, a three-star defensive lineman, was considered a significant addition to Wisconsin’s 2025 class. Originally committed to Purdue, he flipped to Wisconsin following the Badgers’ dominant win over the Boilermakers in October 2024. He cited his strong belief in Coach Fickell’s vision and leadership, especially noting Fickell’s defensive mindset and his ability to get players to the NFL.
“I believed in Coach Fick’s vision for Wisconsin,” Pavey previously told On3. He shared that if Fickell had still been coaching at Cincinnati, he would have committed there. “Also helps that he played my position and that he is a defensive-minded coach first.”
Pavey described Madison as a “beautiful place” with a great college town atmosphere and praised the Badger fanbase. He said he was especially drawn to the energy of the home crowd, particularly their famous “Jump Around” tradition.
In terms of his recruitment, Pavey had received offers from Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and other programs. He was ranked the No. 43 defensive lineman in the 2025 class, according to Rivals.
Though his status remains up in the air, Wisconsin did manage to sign two other defensive linemen who are already contributing. Torin Pettaway, from Middleton, Wisconsin, and Xavier Ukponu, from Denton, Texas, both enrolled early and took part in spring practices.
As the Badgers prepare for a challenging 2025 season, they are juggling multiple uncertainties — the outcome of Fourqurean’s appeal, the depth at cornerback, and the absence of Pavey. Coach Fickell remains hopeful and focused, pushing for fairness and understanding from the NCAA and doing his best to keep the team ready for what lies ahead.
