The Wisconsin football team has been in camp for a week now, and while most of the starting spots are spoken for, there are a few spots up for grabs before Week 1.

Yesterday, I made my projections for the offense, now let’s go to the other side of the ball.

Based on what I’ve seen in practices and what else is being reported, here is where I think the Badgers’ defensive depth chart stands.

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There will be plenty more fall camp coverage coming over the next few weeks leading into the regular season, and I’d love to have you along for the ride!

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The Wisconsin football team has been in camp for a week now, and while most of the starting spots are spoken for, there are a few spots up for grabs before Week 1.

Based on what I’ve seen in practices and what else is being reported, here is where I think the Badgers’ offensive depth chart stands.

Subscribe to The Badger Backer!

There will be plenty more fall camp coverage coming over the next few weeks leading into the regular season, and I’d love to have you along for the ride!

If you enjoy The Badger Backer, consider becoming a paid subscriber to unlock every post, film breakdown, and report. Claim 75% off an annual subscription here—just $12.50 for the entire year!

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The team started practice in Camp Randall, but was forced inside due to weather conditions. So we got a glimpse at the Badgers' first practice in their newly built facility, and let me tell you, it lived up to the hype.

Today's practice was the Badgers' first in pads, so we got a better look at the physicality of the team and where things stand right now.

We saw a lot of live reps, whether it was 11v11s or even just 7v7s. There are plenty of players that stood out and plenty of things that caught my eye, so let's get into it.

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Outside linebacker Nick Clayton joined the Wisconsin football team as a member of the 2025 class. The Badgers were somehow able to snag the 4-star edge rusher from Florida, deep in SEC country.

As a highly-touted freshman, Clayton played in all 12 games for the Badgers last season, totaling just two tackles. The lack of production isn’t an indictment of his talent or ability. Most of his snaps came on special teams, playing 15 total defensive snaps in 2025.

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Because the edge room was deep last season, headlined by Mason Reiger and Darryl Peterson, snaps for Clayton were limited.

“Had it not been for, you know, some of the guys I had last year, I think Nick would have probably gotten a little bit more run last year,” outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell told reporters following the Badgers’ second practice of fall camp on Friday.

Now entering his sophomore year, Clayton looks poised for a true breakout campaign behind a physically transformative offseason.

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There will be plenty more fall camp coverage coming over the next few weeks leading into the regular season, and I’d love to have you along for the ride!

If you enjoy The Badger Backer, consider becoming a paid subscriber to unlock every post, game breakdown, and report! Claim 75% off an annual subscription here—just $12.50 for the entire year!

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Wisconsin football season is upon us.

The Badgers were back on the Camp Randall turf on Thursday morning for the first practice of the 2026 season. Luke Fickell talked about the different vibe on the team and the urgency to win this season, and it was evident during practice with the amount of pad popping, hooting and hollering, and on the field.

It's just day one of camp, and we have a long way to go before they kick off the season against Notre Dame in Week 1, but here are my takeaways and standouts from the Badgers’ first practice.

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There Is a Legitimate QB Battle

Colton Joseph is the unquestioned QB1 after the Badgers aggressively pursued him in the transfer portal. The Badgers also added Louisville QB Deuce Adams in the portal as depth and the assumed backup.

It may not be that cut-and-dried. True freshman QB Ryan Hopkins burst onto the scene during spring practice, making a handful of plays and impressing as an early enrollee.

Now it’s a true battle for the backup quarterback spot, which we all know is important after watching the Badgers over the past three seasons.

Today, Adams took the reps after Joseph and before Hopkins, but that isn’t necessarily going to be the case each day. Coach Fickell was asked if the plan is to have the pair split reps.

“It is. I mean, I haven’t shied away from saying one of the best things about where we are now, from where we’ve been, is the quarterback room. I just feel like there’s some competition, there’s some depth there.”

There are also so many reps to go around, so it definitely feels like whoever takes advantage of the reps they are given these next few weeks will head into the season as QB2.

The Secondary is Loaded with Depth

Following the 2025 season, the Wisconsin staff made a concerted effort to revamp the secondary for the Badgers. After just one practice, I can already say with confidence that they are a vastly improved group.

Safety Matt Jung is the lone returning starter. Javan Robinson and Jaimier Scott were the boundary corners with the first group, while Ohio State transfer Bryce West lined up in the slot. Missouri transfer Marvin Burks Jr. joined Jung on the back end of the defense.

That group can fly. The speed of the group caught my eye, making multiple plays, including a nice interception by Scott, picking off Joseph on an ill-advised throw.

In the second group, Cai Bates and Eric Fletcher were on the boundary with Raphael Dunn in the slot.

True freshmen Donovan Dunmore and Carsen Eloms round out the rest of the room.

There's Plenty of Juice in the Edge Room

If the secondary is a unit that has depth, then the edge room is ‘loaded.’

Sebastian Cheeks and Tyreese Fearbry are two edge defenders returning from last season who got some meaningful reps. Michael Garner, who Fickell talked about very positively post-practice, Nicolas Clayton, and Jaylen Williams are three players I’d expect to get some more run this year, too.

But they also went into the portal and landed redshirt senior Justus Boone (Arkansas), Jayden Loftin (Tennessee), and Liam Danitz (Hope).

Yahya Gaad is a true freshman who already looks physically ready to play in the Big Ten. Unfortunately for him, he is buried on the depth chart.

With all this depth, the Badgers will have a lot of competition, be able to keep the edge rushers fresh, and replace injured players. But there’s not just depth in this group; there’s a lot of talent. It should be a fun group to watch this season.

Players Who Caught My Eye

RB Bryan Jackson II

The USC transfer made a few splash plays. In one, he caught a pass from Ryan Hopkins and took it about 50 yards to the end zone, running well in space and using his speed to blow past defenders. He looked solid on day 1.

Edge Sebastian Cheeks

Cheeks is a player I think could really break out this year. He is one of those players taking on a leadership role in the program. When he wasn’t playing, he was talking to guys nonstop and encouraging his teammates.

He really caught my attention in 11-on-11s today when he beat left tackle PJ Wilkins on back-to-back plays, getting into the backfield almost immediately. Both plays would have been sacks.

LB Cooper Catalano

Unsurprisingly, Catalano was all over the field. He just has a nose for the ball. He was in on or around every tackle in the running game, but also had an interception in coverage today, too.

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Thank you for supporting independent Wisconsin sports coverage. Let’s keep the Badger conversation going—follow along on ‘X’ @christianborman and @thebadgerbacker!

On Wisconsin!

Hey everyone,

We made it. We finally made it. Wisconsin football is officially back!

The start of football season brings that unmistakable energy back to Camp Randall—and with it, a full slate of in-depth coverage coming your way at The Badger Backer.

Before we dive in, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who reads and supports The Badger Backer. Whether you’ve been here since Day 1 or just subscribed this week, having you as part of this community means the world to me.

If you’ve enjoyed the coverage so far, I’d love for you to join us as a paid subscriber. To celebrate the start of the season, I’m running a special offer for 75% off an annual subscription from now through Sunday, September 13th!

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What You Get as a Paid Subscriber

Unlocking a paid subscription gives you complete access to every article, breakdown, and feature I publish all season long, including:

• Fall Camp News & Storylines: Deep dives into camp battles, depth chart shifts, and player interviews.

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There’s a renewed sense of grit and excitement around Madison heading into 2026, and I’m thrilled to cover every step of the journey with you. Thank you for making The Badger Backer possible—let’s have a great season!

On Wisconsin!

Christian Borman

Follow along on X @christianborman and @thebadgerbacker!

But what about the players that seem to make plays consistently or always seem to be around the ball, but we never really talk about?

I’ve got four players that we aren’t thinking about enough as we head into the 2026 season.

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1. Sebastian Cheeks - EDGE - Gr.

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Wisconsin football took part in the first day of the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago yesterday afternoon.

Luke Fickell and the three player representatives for the Badgers, Matthew Jung, Sebastian Cheeks, and Chris Brooks Jr., took to the podium and answered questions from the media.

Maybe it’s just the Wisconsin bias in me. Maybe I am just a Luke Fickell defender or apologist. But Fickell’s answers and overall demeanor seemed different than in the past.

For the better.

Fickell has always been a charismatic guy who often gives a lot of coach-speak, exuding confidence in the program and its process, whether it’s recruiting or expectations for the season.

Yesterday, he didn’t seem overly interested in that. He was brutally honest about the issues with the program and addressing those problems.

Fickell shows his true character

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Despite the rough season in 2025, there is plenty of optimism for improvement in the 2026 season. When there’s optimism, there’s room for some bold predictions.

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Let’s get into fun extremes heading into the 2026 season.

Wisconsin finishes in the top 3 in the Big Ten in rushing yards

The Badgers are entering year two of the Jeff Grimes offense.

Returning players have a better understanding of the playbook and scheme. They brought in Colton Joseph, who is arguably the most explosive quarterback the Badgers have had since Russell Wilson in 2011.

The running back room looks drastically different than it did a year ago. Darrion Dupree returns, but they’ve added Abu Sama (Iowa State), Bryan Jackson (USC), Nate Palmer (TCU) and JuJu Pope (NW Mississippi CC) from the transfer portal.

The offensive line returns Kevin Heywood and added reinforcements via the portal.

With the experience in the scheme and the infusion of talent with Joseph and the running backs, and some consistency along the offensive line, this team could have a lot of success running the ball.

Colton Joseph throws and runs for double-digit touchdowns

Whether it was out of necessity or design, we saw how frequently Grimes had Carter Smith run the ball last season. Joseph, who ran for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns for Old Dominion a season ago, will fit right into that role.

I fully expect the offense to feature Joseph’s mobility, particularly in the red zone where he can pull the ball on an RPO and outrun defenders to the end zone.

But I don’t think Joseph is a one-trick pony, either. The junior QB threw for over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns en route to his Sun Bowl Offensive Player of the Year season.

The Big Ten is obviously a very different animal, but if Joseph stays healthy all season, throwing and running for double-digit touchdowns each is entirely possible.

Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano combine for 225 tackles

As one of the most exciting linebacking duos in the Big Ten, Posa and Catalano made their marks and were one of the few bright spots in the back half of the 2025 season.

With that comes sky-high expectations this season. Both could have entered the portal and hit a nice payday, but both chose to come back to Madison because of their love for the program.

Last season, the duo combined for 117 tackles. Neither got full reps until the tail end of the season. Now, heading into the season, they are the unquestioned starters. They will be all over the field this season and will rack up the tackles. Both will eclipse the 100-tackle mark, but combined, they will go over 225 total tackles.

Wisconsin finishes 4th in the Big Ten

This may seem the most far-fetched bold prediction, but there is a path.

The Badgers’ 2026 schedule is almost the inverse of their 2025 schedule. A year ago, the Badgers played one of the most difficult schedules in program history en route to a 2-7 finish in the Big Ten.

In this bold prediction, the Badgers flip that and go 7-2 in the Big Ten, finishing 4th in the conference. Here’s how it’s going to happen.

The non-conference slate doesn’t matter, so let’s skip ahead to the start of conference play. The Badgers will beat Michigan State, Maryland, Rutgers, UCLA, and Purdue, giving them five wins there.

I think the Badgers finally break the curse and beat Minnesota at home, bringing the Axe back to Madison.

That means Wisconsin will need to win one of the USC, Iowa, and Penn State games. I think Penn State is the most vulnerable right now, in somewhat of a rebuild under Matt Campbell.

Going 7-2 could make them a top 4 or 5 team in the conference at the end of the season, especially if one of those wins is over USC.

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Wisconsin football is back, and with it, a ton of content on the way this fall and winter!

As we head into the season, consider upgrading to a paid subscription to get every piece of content emailed directly to you!

The Badger Backer started as a little passion project of mine, giving me an outlet to just talk Badgers. I truly appreciate all of the readers and subscribers, whether paid or free.

As always, On Wisconsin.

It means a lot to have you here at The Badger Backer. I’m passionate about talking Wisconsin football and basketball, and your readership makes it all worthwhile. Catch up on previous posts or ensure you don’t miss anything by subscribing below! Let’s keep the Badger conversation going!

Follow me on ‘X’ @christianborman and @thebadgerbacker!

On Wisconsin!

Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

Every college football offense needs an elite short-to-intermediate separator in the slot—a player who can find soft spots in zone coverage, erase third-and-mediums, and turn quick touches into chunk gains. Heading into the 2026 season, all signs point toward Tyrell Henry claiming that vital duty for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Henry’s path in Madison has required supreme patience. After transferring from Michigan State ahead of the 2024 campaign, the 6-foot, 180-pound playmaker redshirted during his first year in town before serving as a secondary rotation option and primary punt returner in 2025. Trailing veterans in the slot rotation, Henry took five catches for 29 yards and a touchdown last fall while adding nine carries on jet-sweep concepts.

Now entering his fifth-year senior season, Henry’s patience is poised to pay off in a big way. Throughout spring practice, offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and new wide receivers coach Ari Confesor singled out Henry as one of the most improved route-runners and respected leaders on the roster.

More importantly, Henry built an immediate, rhythm-based rapport with starting quarterback Colton Joseph. With a vacant slot starting role calling his name, Henry is positioned for the highest target volume of his college career.

The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• QB: Colton Joseph’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• RB: Abu Sama III’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• RB: Darrion Dupree’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• WR: Eugene Hilton Jr.’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• WR: Chris Brooks Jr.’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• TE: Jacob Harris’ 2026 Ceiling and Floor

The Best-Case Scenario: The Statistical Ceiling

In this scenario, Henry translates his standout spring into a full-fledged autumn breakout. As the undisputed starting slot receiver, he becomes Colton Joseph’s primary security blanket, using his refined route precision and quick acceleration to dominate the middle of the field.

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In the summer of 2000, the feeling around Camp Randall Stadium was completely surreal, especially after coming off back-to-back Rose Bowl victories in 1998 and 1999.

Legendary running back Ron Dayne had just taken home the Heisman Trophy, the second in Wisconsin football history. Head coach Barry Alvarez had built a Midwest juggernaut on a brutal identity of massive offensive lines and suffocating defenses. The Badgers entered the 2000 season ranked as No. 4 in the country. A national championship wasn’t just a wild dream; it was a possibility.

And then, a discount shoe store in Black Earth, Wisconsin, brought the entire empire crashing down.

What became known as the “Shoe Box” Scandal remains a painful, self-inflicted wound in Wisconsin sports history. In July 2000, an investigative report by the Wisconsin State Journal revealed that over a seven-year period, more than 157 Wisconsin student-athletes across 14 different sports had received unadvertised discounts of up to 50% at The Shoe Box, owned by prominent local booster Steve Schmitt.

Just before the season opener against Western Michigan, the hammer dropped. The NCAA suspended 26 football players. Eleven of the team’s absolute biggest stars—including All-American cornerback Jamar Fletcher, defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, and wide receivers Chris Chambers and Nick Davis—were forced to sit out the first three games.

The Infamous “Shoe Box” Timeline (Reality)

• July 2000: The Wisconsin State Journal drops a bombshell investigative report. It reveals extensive “extra-benefit” rules violations going back to 1993.

• August 2000: Right before the season opener, the NCAA suspends 26 Badgers. The move completely guts the team’s early-season depth and roster chemistry.

• Fall 2000: Forced into constant line shuffling and depth gymnastics, the No. 4-ranked Badgers battle through an exhausting, injury-riddled schedule to finish 9–4.

• October 2001: The NCAA officially hands down five years of probation. Wisconsin loses future football and basketball scholarships.

• September 2022: After more than two decades, the university’s self-imposed ban prohibiting athletic staff and players from shopping at the Black Earth store finally expires.

Wisconsin still managed to win the first three games of the season, but the suspensions made things harder for the Badgers at the start of the season. The offensive and defensive lines were constantly shuffled, leading to late-season fatigue and chemistry issues, and a rash of injuries didn’t help either.

A team that could have played for a national title finished with a highly frustrating 9-4 record.

But what if the athletic department never had to answer those calls? What if the Shoe Box scandal never happened?

2000 Season Simulation: The Championship Ticket

Without the cloud of suspensions hanging over August camp, the 2000 Badgers enter the season with pristine focus, operating with the cold-blooded efficiency of back-to-back Rose Bowl champions.

Here is how a fully loaded, uninterrupted 2000 season plays out:

The Early Slate (Western Michigan, Oregon, Cincinnati)

Our Reality: Wisconsin squeaked past these three non-conference opponents, looking disjointed as backups were forced into starting roles.

The Simulation: A completely healthy roster featuring Fletcher, Bryant, and Chambers dismantles Western Michigan. They comfortably beat a highly rated Oregon team at Camp Randall and cruise past Cincinnati. The Badgers remain No. 4 in the nation, building confidence.

The Northwestern Shootout (September 23)

Our Reality: With a banged-up defense, Wisconsin loses a wild shootout with Northwestern, losing a double-overtime heartbreaker at Camp Randall.

The Simulation: With a fully integrated defensive line and a healthy secondary, the Badgers finally contain Northwestern’s spread offense. Jamar Fletcher secures a fourth-quarter interception, and Michael Bennett runs wild. Wisconsin wins comfortably, 34-21.

The Michigan Grudge Match (September 30)

Our Reality: Wisconsin travels to Ann Arbor and drops a brutal, physical 13-10 defensive battle.

The Simulation: This remains an absolute slugfest in front of 111,000 fans. However, the Badgers’ offensive line isn’t suffering from early-season injury adjustments. They wear down the Wolverines in the fourth quarter. Brooks Bollinger finds Chris Chambers on a crucial play-action pass, setting up a game-winning field goal. Wisconsin wins 17-13.

The BCS National Championship Run

Wisconsin cruises through the rest of the Big Ten slate. They avenge their only close stumble (a tight battle against Drew Brees and Purdue), finishing the regular season at 11-1 as Big Ten Champions. They secure a spot in the Orange Bowl to play the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners for the National Championship.

In a classic matchup of Oklahoma’s high-flying offense against Wisconsin’s brutal ground game and elite secondary, the battle goes down to the wire.

A single off-field misstep completely changed the trajectory of the program. Upgrade to a paid subscription below to unlock the rest of the Shoe Box simulation, including Barry Alvarez’s national title legacy, how the program avoids the early-2000s scholarship cliff, and where the Badgers would stand today.

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Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

When offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and tight ends coach Nate Letton went looking for reinforcements in the transfer portal this winter, they weren’t just looking for depth—they were looking for physical identity.

They found a massive piece of the puzzle in Jacob Harris.

The Westerville, Ohio, native makes the jump from the MAC to the Big Ten with two years of eligibility remaining. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing a bruising 270 pounds, Harris immediately provides a physically imposing target for quarterback Colton Joseph.

Last season at Bowling Green, Harris’ raw volume was modest: 19 catches for 182 yards. However, his efficiency was spectacular. Harris caught 19 of his 28 targets (a 67.9% catch rate) and hauled in five touchdowns. He was an absolute nightmare in the red zone, using his massive frame to shield defenders and display exceptionally fluid movement for a player of his size.

With Lance Mason departing after leading the Badgers with 398 receiving yards in 2025, and Tucker Ashcraft transferring out of the program, the tight end room is completely reset.

However, the starting job won’t simply be handed to Harris. He is locked in a fierce battle with redshirt sophomore Grant Stec, a former four-star prospect entering his third year who started five games last fall. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois FCS transfer Ryan Schwendeman is in the mix as a primary blocking option, adding heavy competition to the rotation.

The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• QB: Colton Joseph’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• RB: Abu Sama III’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• RB: Darrion Dupree’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• WR: Eugene Hilton Jr.’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

• WR: Chris Brooks Jr.’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

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Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Opponent Vibe Check, a new summer series on The Badger Backer where I look past the generic preseason stat packs and depth chart clones to figure out exactly what’s happening in the minds of Wisconsin’s 2026 opponents.

We aren’t here to count returning starters or obsess over recruiting stars; we are here to read the room, audit the message boards, and gauge the collective sanity of the fan bases standing in the Badgers’ way.

And what better way to kick things off than with a marquee matchup for the Badgers at legendary Lambeau Field in Week 1 of the season?

On September 6, the eyes of the college football world will descend upon the hallowed grounds of Lambeau Field as Wisconsin welcomes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It is a massive litmus test for Wisconsin, which is in its second year under Jeff Grimes’ offense and the first to feature new dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph.

But before the opening game at Lambeau Field kicks off, we need to understand exactly who we are dealing with across the sideline.

Let’s break down the vibe in South Bend.

The good stuff is just on the other side.

To read the rest of the Notre Dame Vibe Check—and get access to our entire summer opponent preview series and more—upgrade to a paid subscription today. Your support keeps The Badger Backer 100% independent and proudly biased toward the Cardinal and White.

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Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

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Every successful football team needs a “glue guy,” a player whose value to the coaching staff and locker room far exceeds what shows up in the box score. For the Wisconsin Badgers, that player is fifth-year senior wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr.

The St. Louis native has taken a long, arduous road to prominence in Madison. After battling nagging injuries early in his career, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout finally broke through in 2025 by staying completely healthy and starting 10 games. While his raw output of 11 catches for 124 yards was modest due to erratic quarterback play, his structural impact on the offense was monumental. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes didn’t mince words last fall, calling Brooks “maybe the best blocking wide receiver I’ve been around.”

Now, entering his final year of eligibility, Brooks’ veteran status was punctuated by the staff selecting him to represent the Badgers at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. With a clean slate under new wide receivers coach Ari Confesor and hopefully a steady presence at quarterback this season, Brooks has a golden opportunity to prove he is more than just a perimeter blocker.

The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• Quarterback:

  • Colton Joseph

• Running Back:

  • Abu Sama

  • Darrion Dupree

• Wide Receiver:

  • Eugene Hilton Jr.

The Best-Case Scenario: The Statistical Ceiling

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It is officially a new era in Madison. With his introductory press conference in the books, Shawn Eichorst has taken the reins as the Wisconsin Badgers’ new Director of Athletics. Right out of the gate, his message provided a welcome shift in tone for a program that has felt a bit stuck in neutral lately.

Eichorst, a Wisconsin native who spent the last several years helping run the massive athletic operation down at Texas, made it clear that he wants to change how this program carries itself. His main point was pretty simple: it’s time for Wisconsin to stop playing defense and instead, be aggressive, operating with the confidence of a big-time player in college sports.

I love that mindset. For too long, it felt like the athletic department was trying to rely on a bygone era’s blueprint while the rest of the college landscape turned into a high-stakes financial arms race.

During an appearance on Wilde & Tausch, he said he’s already connected with key boosters, coaching staffs, and many student-athletes, taking the temperature of the athletic department.

But as every Badger fan knows, winning a press conference in July is the easy part. Now it’s time to walk the walk.

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The Real Challenge: Bridging the Fundraising Gap

We don’t need to sugarcoat the situation Eichorst is inheriting. When Chris McIntosh departed for his new role in the Big Ten office, he left behind an athletic department facing a massive structural hurdle. Wisconsin simply hasn’t kept pace with the conference's true contenders in donor engagement and NIL resources.

Did it get better at the end of the McIntosh era? Sure.

You can see what the football program has done this offseason in the transfer portal and with the 2027 recruiting class, which is currently a top-25 class in the country. But other programs, like the men’s basketball team, remain woefully underfunded.

In today’s landscape, you can’t just rely on tradition or development to win championships; you have to fund the roster. The previous administration struggled to build the kind of aggressive booster foundation required to consistently compete at the highest level.

Big-time alumni like Barstool’s Big Cat and Wisconsin basketball legend Frank Kaminsky have both publicly stated they have reached out to Wisconsin to help or donate, and both heard crickets. I can understand if you wouldn’t want to get into bed with Barstool, given who they are. But if you have a former player like Kaminsky, who was a Naismith Player of the Year and a driving factor in one of the best basketball teams in program history, reaching out, why would you not take that opportunity?

That is exactly where Eichorst has to prove himself.

The optimistic view is obvious: he just spent nearly a decade in Austin watching a blue-blood program maximize its resources, helping to raise staggering amounts of capital, and transition seamlessly into the SEC. He knows exactly what a fully optimized, modern funding machine looks like.

On the flip side, skeptical fans will naturally remember his time running the department at Nebraska, which gives people reason to watch his early moves with a critical eye.

But his time at Nebraska was a lifetime ago as far as college athletics are concerned. Nowadays, money is the name of the game. If Eichorst can truly help keep the Badgers financially competitive with the top spenders in the Big Ten and the rest of the country, then we will all forget about what happened during his time in Lincoln.

The Real Work Starts Now

Rallying the fan base and setting a high expectation is a great first step. But the ultimate metric for Eichorst won’t be what he says or how he says it. It will be what he does. Can he rally the donors and raise the funds necessary to make Wisconsin athletics contenders?

Luke Fickell and the rest of the coaches need the institutional backing to recruit and retain elite talent. Eichorst has the blueprint from his time down south. Now we have to see if he can actually implement it in Madison.

It means a lot to have you here at The Badger Backer. I’m passionate about talking Wisconsin football and basketball, and your readership makes it all worthwhile. Catch up on previous posts or ensure you don’t miss anything by subscribing below! Let’s keep the Badger conversation going!

Follow me on ‘X’ @christianborman and @thebadgerbacker!

On Wisconsin!

Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

When a true freshman wide receiver cracks the rotation in his first year, it’s a strong indicator of advanced development. When that same freshman carries the genetics of an eleven-year NFL veteran and Pro Bowler, expectations naturally skyrocket. That’s what the Wisconsin Badgers have in Eugene Hilton Jr.

The son of former Indianapolis Colts star T.Y. Hilton, Eugene Jr. showcased flashes of real, foundational upside during his 2025 true freshman campaign in Madison. Though his raw stat line of eight catches for 91 yards across 12 games won’t stand out nationally, his structural impact told a different story.

Hilton consistently found his way onto the field because of an elite, mature-beyond-his-years feel for the game and superb perimeter blocking (most notably his viral head-fake block that sprung Darrion Dupree’s 82-yard touchdown run against Illinois).

After briefly exploring the transfer portal and drawing strong interest from several SEC powerhouses this winter, Hilton chose to pull his name out and return to Madison.

He made it clear he didn’t want to waste another year in a stagnant offense, expressing strong confidence in new starting quarterback Colton Joseph. Now entering his sophomore year, Hilton has the technical traits to secure a primary role in Jeff Grimes’ passing game.

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The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• Quarterback:

  • Colton Joseph

• Running Back:

  • Abu Sama

  • Darrion Dupree

The Best-Case Scenario: The Statistical Ceiling

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Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

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While much of the offseason buzz surrounding the Wisconsin ground game has naturally gravitated toward Iowa State transfer Abu Sama III, ignoring the internal talent already in Madison would be a mistake. Enter Darrion Dupree.

The Chicago native has quietly progressed over his first two seasons in the program. As a true freshman in 2024, Dupree logged 317 rushing yards. He followed that up in 2025 by raising his efficiency, picking up 363 yards on 83 carries for a healthy 4.4 yards per carry while splitting work in a crowded rotation.

Now entering his junior year, Dupree has the most experience in the offense under Jeff Grimes. He isn’t just a traditional hand-it-off tailback; he possesses some natural pass-catching traits, making him a crucial structural piece of a modern, multi-dimensional offense.

The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• Quarterback:

  • Colton Joseph

• Running Back:

  • Abu Sama

The Best-Case Scenario: The Statistical Ceiling

Read more

Hey everyone,

Happy Fourth of July weekend! To celebrate the holiday and get ready for a massive year of Wisconsin sports, I’m running the biggest sale in the history of The Badger Backer.

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On Wisconsin!

[👉 Claim Your 80% Off Annual Subscription Here!]

Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.

The foundation of Wisconsin football has always been built on a dominant ground game. While the Badgers are transitionally shifting toward a modern, balanced attack, head coach Luke Fickell knows that surviving the Big Ten requires a game-changer in the backfield. Enter Abu Sama III.

The junior transfer from Iowa State arrives in Madison as a relatively underrated addition. After a standout freshman year in Ames, highlighted by an impressive 276-yard performance against Kansas State, Sama followed it up with a highly efficient 2025 campaign, racking up 732 yards on 140 carries (5.2 YPC) while splitting carries with Carson Hansen.

In offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ wide-zone blocking scheme, a running back needs good vision, a decisive one-cut vertical burst, and enough speed to break open some chunk plays. Sama possesses all three.

The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series

Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season.

Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:

• Quarterback: Colton Joseph’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor

The Best-Case Scenario: The Statistical Ceiling

In this scenario, the combination of Colton Joseph’s dual-threat gravity and an experienced, physical Wisconsin offensive line creates massive cutback lanes. Sama commands the lion’s share of the backfield touches, keeping a talented sophomore like Darrion Dupree in a complementary role while Sama becomes the undisputed workhorse.

Projected 2026 Ceiling Stats

• Carries: 215

• Rushing Yards: 1,290

• Yards Per Carry: 6.0

• Rushing TDs: 12

• Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 110

Why It Happens

Grimes’ wide-zone system functions best when a defense is forced to defend horizontally, and Sama’s lateral agility is tailor-made for it. Because defenses have to account for Colton Joseph pulling the ball on zone-reads, light boxes become the norm. Sama routinely gets to the second level untouched, turning routine 4-yard gains into 40-yard chunk plays. He stays entirely healthy, cuts down on negative plays, and asserts himself as a dark-horse All-Big Ten weapon.

The Worst-Case Scenario: The Statistical Floor

In this reality, the offense takes time to find its rhythm, allowing opposing defensive coordinators to stack the box. Furthermore, a true running-back-by-committee approach limits his overall volume, as the coaching staff frequently rotates Darrion Dupree and Bryan Jackson to ride the hot hand.

Projected 2026 Floor Stats

• Carries: 135

• Rushing Yards: 595

• Yards Per Carry: 4.4

• Rushing TDs: 4

• Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 45

Why It Happens

If the passing game struggles to threaten teams vertically, Big Ten defenses will aggressively pin their ears back and choke the line of scrimmage. Without space to operate, a space-and-speed back like Sama can find tough sledding in the classic, cloud-of-dust Big Ten environments. If he struggles to consistently pick up tough yards after contact up the middle on third-and-short, his snaps scale back in favor of a more physical, downhill bruising back.

The Verdict

Sama’s floor is remarkably safe because his skill demands touches; even in a committee system, he has the ability to break loose for his fair share of explosive plays. Expect the final 2026 numbers to land somewhere in the middle, but if the Badgers’ offensive line re-establishes its standard dominance, Sama has every tool necessary to produce a classic, 1,000-yard modern rushing season in Madison.

It means a lot to have you here at The Badger Backer. I’m passionate about talking Wisconsin football and basketball, and your readership makes it all worthwhile. Catch up on previous posts or ensure you don’t miss anything by subscribing below! Let’s keep the Badger conversation going!

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On Wisconsin!

Wisconsin sports fans are no strangers to the painful sting of elite homegrown talent leaving the state. But while many stars slip away during the high school recruiting cycle, few departures left a deeper, more enduring scar than Tyler Herro’s exit from the Wisconsin basketball program.

Long broken down into a singular moment of heartbreak, Herro was the crown jewel of Greg Gard’s 2018 recruiting class.

Let’s travel back to October 2017. Herro had been a committed Badger for over a year. He was the homegrown stud from Whitnall High School and a ruthless, smooth-scoring wing destined to modernize Wisconsin’s swing offense. Then, John Calipari came calling, and everything changed in an instant. Herro famously flipped his commitment to Kentucky.

Badger fans were left devastated and angry, left to watch Herro excel in Lexington and eventually the NBA while wondering how different the program’s modern era would look if he had just stayed home.

So, let’s pull the lever on the simulation:

What if Tyler Herro ignores Kentucky, honors his word, and signs his National Letter of Intent with the Wisconsin Badgers?

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The 2018–2019 Simulation: Happ’s Perfect Complement

If Herro arrives in Madison for the 2018–19 season, he walks into a locker room anchored by an All-American big man in Ethan Happ, a premier glue guy in Brad Davison, and a steady floor general in D’Mitrik Trice.

To understand how high this team’s ceiling becomes, let’s look at the stark contrast between the two timelines for the 2018–19 season:

• Our Reality:

  • Offensive Identity: Predictable and hyper-reliant on Ethan Happ in the low post.

  • NCAA Tournament Seed: 4-Seed

  • March Madness Result: Blown out 72-54 by a 12-seeded Oregon team in the Round of 64.

• The Herro Timeline:

  • Offensive Identity: A dynamic inside-out pairing with elite floor spacing.

  • NCAA Tournament Seed: 2-Seed

  • March Madness Result: An Elite Eight run, culminating in an epic schematic clash with Virginia.

In our reality, opponents realized they could completely ignore Wisconsin’s perimeter shooters and throw relentless double- and triple-teams at Happ. In the 2018-19 season, the Badgers shot just 36% from 3-point range on 19.8 attempts per game. The offense became agonizingly stagnant.

In the Herro timeline, the entire equation changes. With Herro patrolling the wing, sagging off a Wisconsin guard becomes dynamic suicide. Happ, one of the better passing big men in the Big Ten, suddenly has a lethal, high-volume spacer who can score off the bounce or split defenses on the catch.

When March arrives, the dreaded Oregon matchup never happens because Wisconsin enters the tournament as a dangerous 2-seed. Instead of a first-round exit, Herro carries the Badgers deep into the second weekend, bowing out in a classic, low-possession Elite Eight battle against eventual national champion Virginia.

The 2019–2020 Blueprint: The Undisputed Big Ten Kings

As a sophomore, Herro takes the mantle as the undisputed alpha of the program following Happ’s graduation.

In our reality, the 2019–20 Badgers caught lightning in a bottle. Despite a turbulent mid-season stretch that saw Kobe King leave the program, a veteran group rallied to win eight straight games and secure a shocking share of the Big Ten Regular Season Championship.

In the Herro simulation, there is no mid-season identity crisis. Wisconsin doesn’t just backdoor its way into a co-championship; they utterly dominate the conference. Herro averages over 20 points per game, capturing Big Ten Player of the Year honors. Alongside Trice, Davison, and a developing Nate Reuvers, the Badgers track cleanly toward a top seed in the NCAA Tournament before the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly cancels March Madness.

Following the shortened season, Herro declares for the NBA Draft as a potential top-10 pick, leaving Madison as an iconic homegrown talent who elevated the program to its absolute ceiling.

A stable floor keeps the Badgers competitive, but can a traditional identity survive the modern Big Ten? Upgrade to a paid subscription below to unlock the full simulation of the Herro era, including his recruiting limitations, the fate of Greg Gard, and where the program would stand today.

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