Garner, Wright leave Badgers

MADISON, Wis. - Junior wide receiver Manasseh Garner and redshirt sophomore defensive back Jameson Wright have left the Wisconsin football program and will pursue transfer options, according to a release from the UW athletic department.

"I met with Manasseh and Jameson and they both informed me they wanted to pursue their options of playing somewhere else," head coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. "In talking to them, I realized this was a tough decision for each of them because they enjoyed their time as Badgers but it was something they felt was in their best interests."

Garner's decision in particular could sting the Badgers, who are already struggling to deal with a shortage of experienced wide receivers. Garner lettered twice for the Badgers during his career, but was hampered by injuries that kept him from making a larger impact on the field. Garner played in 20 games during his Badger career.

The Badgers placed Garner on the second team on their initial depth chart from Monday, but the 6-foot-2 wide receiver/tight end combo missed out on reps to younger players like Jordan Fredrick and Kenzel Doe.

Wright, a 6-foot-1 defensive back from Fort Pierce, Fla., did not crack the initial two-deep this year, but was rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and could have competed for playing time over the next few seasons. Wright did not see the field in 2011 after redshirting his true freshman year.

"I told them we would help in any way we could to facilitate their transition to a new school," Bielema said. "Both Manasseh and Jameson are great kids who come from terrific families and were tremendous representatives of our program. We wish them both the best of luck."

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