Former Arrowhead offensive lineman is transferring to Wisconsin from Illinois

MADISON – Joey Okla didn't need long to make his decision.

Four days after capping off a visit to Wisconsin to attend meetings and practice, the graduate of Arrowhead High School announced that he plans to transfer to UW from Illinois.

Okla announced on April 9 he planned to enter the transfer portal and was at UW on Friday and Saturday. He was an all-state performer as a senior at Arrowhead in 2021, redshirted at Illinois in 2022 and played in one game last season.

Okla, 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, has three seasons of eligibility remaining. He joins UW as a walk-on with the opportunity to earn a scholarship.

He is the second offensive lineman to commit to UW this month.

Tackle Leyton Nelson, who spent the last two seasons at Vanderbilt, announced Monday he plans to transfer to UW .

Nelson, 6-6 and 308, played for current UW line coach AJ Blazek at Vanderbilt. He played in one game (two plays) as a freshman in 2022 and played a total of 60 plays over 11 games last season. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Arrowhead offensive lineman is transferring to Wisconsin from Illinois