Bret Bielema wasnâ??t stunned that redshirt freshman Erik Smith decided to transfer to Illinois State — not after the running back was leapfrogged on the depth chart by freshman Montee Ball midway through last season. Still, the University of Wisconsin football coach said he made a pitch to Smith to stay in Madison.
Bielema also tried to keep linebacker Leonard Hubbard, who like Smith intends to play for the Redbirds of the Football Championship Subdivision. Per NCAA rules, they will be eligible immediately because they are going down a level of competition. Each has three years remaining.