Wisconsin has a clear cut most valuable offensive lineman

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 05: Wisconsin running back Cade Yacamelli (25) gets some help from Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Heywood (55) on his way to a fourth and 1 30 yard touchdown run during a college football game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue University Boilermakers on October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s no secret that the Wisconsin Badgers are going to be relying a ton on their offensive line this year, as they hope to revamp an offense that ranked No. 134 in points per game last season.

Now, Wisconsin’s offensive line, which has traditionally been the bread and butter of the program, has not played to expectations over the past few seasons, with injuries, scheme changes, and a lack of overall offensive cohesiveness all contributing to the issues.

While the offensive line has been a fairly quality pass-blocking unit over the past two years, the offense couldn’t take advantage of that with sub-optimal quarterback play. And unfortunately, the run-blocking hasn’t been strong enough to take advantage of quality running back rooms.

Well, Wisconsin is hoping that 2026 can be different, as they have players back and healthy, while adding others via the transfer portal.

The Badgers landed Austin Kawecki, PJ Wilkins, Lucas Simmons-Johansson, Blake Cherry, and Stylz Blackmon in the portal, with all four being part of the two-deep. Wilkins and Kawecki are expected to start at left tackle and center, respectively, while Johansson, Cherry, and Blackmon should be reserves on the depth chart.

Rounding out the starting group are returners Emerson Mandell, Colin Cubberly, and Kevin Heywood. Mandell and Cubberly started at guard last year, with the latter seeing more full-time play at the end of the season, while Heywood missed the entire season with a torn ACL.

With a new group featuring some old and new faces, we asked who the most valuable offensive lineman was in our Reacts post last week. And the results were expected, but still notable:

Kevin Heywood was the clear favorite with over 50 percent of the vote, while Austin Kawecki got a quarter of the votes. PJ Wilkins came in next, while Emerson Mandell got the final eight percent of the vote.

Heywood is arguably the team’s best offensive lineman with his size, athleticism, and ability off the edge at tackle. He is now set to play right tackle for the Badgers, with Wilkins manning the left side.

An underrated answer is Kawecki, strictly because of Wisconsin’s struggles at the position over the past few years and the lack of a proven backup behind him at center.

But Wisconsin needs this unit healthy overall to reach their offensive goals this year. Currently, Heywood and Mandell are both recovering from injuries, with the hope that they can return by the season opener.