Source: ASU WR Badger to join Rashada in portal

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterApr 19, 2024, 06:16 PM ET
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- College football reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
- Graduate of Northwestern University.

Hours after Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada entered the transfer portal Friday, the team is set to lose another key offensive player as leading wide receiver Elijhah Badger is set to enter the transfer portal, a source told ESPN.

Badger led ASU in receiving yards the past two seasons, recording 135 receptions for 1,579 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during the span. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior also had 18 carries and three rushing touchdowns during his career. He was limited during spring practice because of a back injury.

Badger’s expected departure comes shortly after Rashada, who opened the 2023 season as ASU’s starting quarterback, entered the portal. Rashada, who initially signed with Florida out of high school before a $13 million name, image and likeness deal fell through with Florida’s Gator Collective, could be headed back to the SEC, as Georgia is a potential destination, according to a source.

A native of Folsom, California, Badger was ESPN’s No. 197 overall recruit in the 2020 class. He did not play in 2020 and had only seven catches in 2021 before his production spiked during the 2022 season.

247 Sports first reported Badger’s intent to enter the portal.