With fall camp winding down and a hyper-challenging date with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field fast approaching, I want to take stock of my expectations for the 2026 Wisconsin Badgers by hitting some areas of both optimism and pessimism for this squad.
Before launching in, I want to be very clear that I believe this to be a better product on both sides of the ball than the 4-8 one we saw in 2025 (and with an easier schedule). No, that’s not the highest bar, but it’s a good place to start. The big question will be: how much better? I don’t have a great grip on that right now, so I’ll focus on some big themes to try and move us closer to the correct answer.
I Am Excited About The Cornerbacks
I’ve been telling anyone who will listen to me how much better I like the cornerbacks unit than the one the Badgers had in 2025, right down to the badly needed new coaching blood injected in the form of Robert Steeples.
The room is significantly deeper, faster, taller, and both more talented/more violent than last season’s pedestrian version, with legitimate competition all over the place.
Starting with experienced transfer Javan Robinson, who will anchor things, and continuing with Jai’mier Scott, Eric Fletcher, Cai Bates, Bryce West, and Rafael Dunn, this is the best I’ve felt about a Wisconsin cornerback room in several seasons. Yes, they’re generally young guys, but there’s also a ton of ability and nastiness.
I Am Concerned About The Wide Receivers
I need to be a bit careful here so I’m not misinterpreted. I believe that there’s a significant amount of talent in the Badgers wide receiver room. My worry is simply that a lot of that talent has yet to show it will translate to a Big Ten schedule this fall. Even with several strong practices from Eugene Hilton Jr. in camp, I can’t point to one proven playmaker in the entire crop of wide receivers. Even last year had the talented Vinny Anthony, even if he was woefully underutilized.
So, this entire room has the feel of a lottery ticket. There are guys besides Hilton with clear ability that have had some very nice moments in August, including transfers Shamar Rigby Jr. and Malachi Coleman, and freshman upstart Kash Brock, but there just hasn’t been enough consistent upside shown to make me feel like the position is anywhere near settled. That’s unnerving news with the No. 4 Fighting Irish’s bloodthirsty defense waiting in the wings.
I Am Excited About The Inside Linebackers
No shock here. This is easily the Badgers’ best unit, led by future All-Big Ten types in sophomores Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. That’s a great start.
Beyond the super sophs, thumper Thomas Heiberger and speed demon Jon Jon Kamara are intriguing talents with divergent toolboxes of skills that should complement the two stars nicely. And don’t forget about JUCO transfer Taylor Schaefer and cagey vet Aaron Witt. This is going to be a really fun group that should help make other units look even better.
I Am Concerned About The Offensive Line
Yes, there are issues here, but my worries are very different than they are about the wide receivers. I’m a huge fan of coach Eric Mateos, and have full confidence that he’ll squeeze every bit of ability out of the group. I also think there’s a nice baseline of talent here, led by transfer center Austin Kawecki, right tackle Kevin Heywood, and guard Emerson Mandell.
My first wake up in a cold sweat worry is due to the starting unit not playing together even once in fall camp due to lingering injuries to Heywood and Mandell. This is far from ideal, even if both guys are ready in time for Notre Dame. Reps are reps, and they haven’t gotten them.
My second wake up in a cold sweat worry is about snaps. Nobody at center besides Kawecki has shown the ability to snap consistently. This may not be a problem if he can stay healthy, but if it becomes one, it’s huge, especially given the fact that good timing will be so pivotal for Colton Joseph and the offense. Fingers crossed.
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