Cade Yacamelli wants to finish his college football career with an exclamation point, not a question mark.
The former Penn-Trafford star feels unfulfilled and somewhat unproven, like he still has much to offer a Division I running backs room. But there still is time and a soon-to-be suitor.
If Yacamelli does have a breakthrough finale, he won’t do it in a Wisconsin uniform.
After four years in Madison — he redshirted as a freshman — Yacamelli announced last week he will enter the NCAA transfer portal Jan. 6, resetting the narrative for one last ride.
Yacamelli hired an agent — Matt Glose of Generation Sports Group — and will pursue a new stop as a grad transfer.
Leaving his teammates and coaches was not easy, but Yacamelli had his reasons.
“I got my degree (in business administration and management/human resources), which was one of the main reasons, and that made it an easier decision,” Yacamelli said. “But, honestly, I felt underutilized. That is not meant to be anything negative toward the coaching staff. The situation is what it is, but I feel like I wasn’t used to the best of my ability.
“I want to go where I’m wanted.”
The 6-foot, 215-pounder who led Penn-Trafford to WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A championships in 2021, entered college football at an illustrious time, when players were signing name, image, likeness contracts and making thousands to millions of dollars.
“It’s crazy, I never thought I’d be sitting down with my coach to negotiate (an NIL contract),” Yacamelli said. “It’s about how a head coach negotiates his pot (of money). Quarterbacks get the biggest deals. I am satisfied with what I got.”
Was Division I football what he thought it would be?
“No,” Yacamelli said. “I love the game, my teammates and the staff. But it was the stuff outside the game that surprised me. The NIL rules, a lot of changes with the portal. It was not a problem. It was just tough to get used to.”
Yacamelli had a career-high 38 carries for 128 yards this season, but he missed three games with a concussion he suffered against Oregon on Oct. 25. He started that game for the Badgers, who finished 4-8.
“I got hit and went to the sideline and couldn’t see,” Yacamelli said. “If you play football, you know this happens sometimes after a hit, but I really couldn’t see anything. I ran up to coach (Luke Fickell) and said, ‘Coach, I can’t see.’ I went to the hospital to get my vision checked.”
A few floaters and black dots later, his vision returned fully, and he chalked up the symptoms to a concussion.
He came back ready for the final game against Minnesota but did not have a carry and was limited to special teams.
Seeing the writing on the wall is one thing, but Yacamelli felt he would get more handoffs after preseason reps picked up and his stock seemed to be rising.
Bruce Feldman, a national college football insider for The Athletic named Yacamelli to his “Freaks List” in August, highlighting the country’s top 101 multi-talented players who ooze athleticism. Yacamelli came in at No. 46.
“From talks we had back in fall camp and in spring ball, I was kind of surprised I didn’t play more,” Yacamelli said. “I mean, the concussion didn’t help. … It was a difficult year all around.”
He ran for 274 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries last season and had 169 on 36 attempts as a redshirt freshman when he tore ligaments in his ankle the day he made his first career start in the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
That game, which came with nine weeks of recovery time (no surgery), remains his most glowing memory from his time at Wisconsin.
“For me, it’s about more production,” he said. “I want more opportunities to make more plays.”
Yacamelli is open to playing anywhere and in any conference.
Pitt showed interest in him as a three-star prospect coming out of high school but not until late in his senior year and never offered.
Penn State also showed strong interest but never extended an offer.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Holy Cross, Lehigh and most of the Ivy League schools — among others — did offer before he snagged his only Big Ten opportunity.
“I just know I am looking to be at school halfway through January,” Yacamelli said. “For now, I want to let my agent do his job.”