D.J. Gillins announces intentions to transfer from Badgers

Rumblings of quarterback D.J. Gillins leaving the Wisconsin Badgers football program have been around for the past month or so, but those were just rumors until Jan. 1, 2016.

The new year began with Gillins announcing his intentions to transfer from the Badgers program via Instagram.

It’s been real UW, I had fun playing a little WR and special teams this year. Now, I’m going back to what I do best. Unfortunately, that will not happen in Madison. I appreciate every opportunity I was given there. Created some lifelong friends and family. Thank y’all for everything

A photo posted by DJ Gillins (@sameol_dj) on Dec 31, 2015 at 2:40pm PST

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsGillins, a former 4-star recruit, came to the Badgers under Gary Andersen and hopes were high for him to be the quarterback to complete the wanted transfer to a more mobile option at quarterback.

However, Andersen left after Gillins’ redshirt season and the Badgers hired former offensive coordinator and Pitt head coach Paul Chryst to replace Andersen. That meant a return to the more known pro-style look to the offense and at quarterback.

Gillins saw his time at quarterback limited and had arguably fallen behind early entrant Alex Hornibrook in the new look offense. It eventually resulted in Gillins trying out at wide receiver and helping any and every way he could via special teams during the 2015 season.

Clearly a team player to the end, it simply came down to fit, and Gillins wasn’t seemingly a fit with what UW was looking for in the future at quarterback.

His departure leaves just senior Bart Houston and redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook as scholarship quarterbacks. UW is expected to have Kare’ Lyles added as an early entrant when the second semester starts as well.//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js