Luke Fickell’s seen too much average for his liking since taking over as the University of Wisconsin football coach in November 2022.
The Badgers' defense can count itself among that list of mid-level performers that Fickell will have to address when the team’s season concludes. The team’s off week leading into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. game against No. 1 Oregon served as a mental and physical reset for starters and a chance to get second- and third-team players on both sides of the ball more action.
A brief glimpse at the future during practice might have Fickell and his staff’s wheels turning about how the defense must be altered this offseason, both schematically and from a personnel standpoint. The influx of five transfer linebackers hasn’t netted the pass-rushing jump that coaches hoped as the Badgers are third-to-last in the Big Ten with 14 sacks. The front as a whole has been disappointing — its 34 tackles for loss being tied for last in the conference.
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The biggest question Fickell will have to answer is what direction he wants to take the defense. Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel were successful at Cincinnati with a 3-3-5 defense, but after attempts to implement it last year were unsuccessful, this season’s Badgers have been in the 2-4-5 nickel package that has been their most used personnel for more than a decade. If Fickell and Tressel want to turn back to a 3-3-5 look, heavy lifting would need to be done to upgrade the talent along the defensive line. The program’s continued to recruit outside linebackers suited for the 2-4-5 scheme, so a major change seems unlikely, but the recruiting staff’s focus on athleticism and length could lend itself to a bit more front flexibility down the road.
The line is the biggest defensive question mark for the Badgers next season. There are three linemen taking significant snaps this fall that figure to be back in 2025 — Dillan Johnson, Brandon Lane and Curt Neal — as well as senior Ben Barten who could return for another season. James Thompson Jr. tore his pec late in training camp and his absence as a third-year starter has been a significant blow to the defensive line.
Stability at the position and a year of experience together in the system may have benefits that are hard to project for current players, but the defensive line appears as though it’ll be atop the Badgers' wish list when the transfer portal opens in December. Hills, an Albany transfer last winter, has been the lone consistent difference maker on the line this year with 19 tackles, 4½ for loss (tied for team-high) and two sacks (tied for second on team).
Both linebacker spots will experience significant turnover and lose multiple players who are taking the lions share of snaps this season. Starting inside linebackers Jake Thomas and Jake Chaney exhaust their eligibility, as do outside linebackers Leon Lowery Jr. and John Pius. The easy answers at both spots would be the other significant players this year — Christian Alliegro and Tackett Curtis inside, and Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt outside — leading the charge with younger players filling in behind them. Sebastian Cheeks, a North Carolina transfer who arrived to play inside linebacker but moved outside in training camp, has been an effective pass rusher (seven pressures, two sacks in 34 pass-rushing snaps) and could snag a top role next year. Look out for Thomas Heiberger as well. The freshman was expected to get significant snaps this season before a training camp knee injury derailed his fall.
Freshman linebacker Christian Alliegro had 16 tackles in Wisconsin's last game against Iowa. He figures to be a key part of the Badgers' defense moving forward.
The Badgers may want to get some of their young in bigger roles sooner. Alliegro played a career-high 59 snaps against Iowa two weeks ago after Thomas started but exited in the first quarter due to injury. Alliegro had 16 tackles in the blowout loss, but Fickell said he had been a “bright spot” during a difficult stretch for Wisconsin.
“I just think that he's just now kind of coming into his own,” Fickell said. “He's getting more comfortable in the game, he's seeing things a bit faster, which now allows his natural size and speed and athleticism to be more of a factor and he's doing a really good job. You're going to see more of him. He's a guy that … we're going to rely heavily on as we make this push these last few weeks.”
Alliegro said he was impressed last week with the way some of his classmates and younger players took advantage of the increased looks in practice.
“Thomas Heiberger … long, athletic dude, (who) can make plays all over the field,” Alliegro said. “Anelu (Lafaele) as well, the outside linebacker, he’s great. And Landon (Gauthier) in our room, got to shout him out. He’s a good, fast dude as well.”
Freshman outside linebacker Thomas Heiberger figures to be an important part of Wisconsin's rebuilt defense next season. He's battled injuries this fall.
Wisconsin’s secondary could have new starters at four of the five positions in 2025 pending the decision of cornerback Ricardo Hallman. Hallman, a redshirt junior from Miami, considered turning pro last season after snaring seven interceptions to tie for the FBS lead and earning third-team All-American honors from The Associated Press. He’s been targeted just 18 times this season, tied for the fewest among Power Four cornerbacks who have played at least 200 pass-coverage snaps, or roughly a low-end starter’s amount of 20 per game.
Safeties Hunter Wohler and Preston Zachman, corners Nyzier Fourqurean and RJ Delancy III exhaust their eligibility. Boundary cornerback appears set with Xavier Lucas taking over the lead spot. Lucas has been arguably the best freshman on the Badgers' roster splitting reps with Fourqurean and coaches have raved about his maturity on the field since training camp. Field cornerback could be an open competition with Jonas Duclona and others, or the Badgers may look to the transfer portal for more experience to bolster the corner spots.
Wohler said Justin Taylor stood out during the bye week practices as a potential answer at a safety spot. Taylor got the bulk of the second-team reps during spring practices when Zachman was recovering from an injury and flashed playmaking ability, but Zachman snatched the starting role with an impressive training camp and cemented himself as one of the more consistent players on the roster this fall.
“He just lines up and he just plays fast and he trusts himself,” Wohler said of Taylor, who was part of Fickell’s first recruiting class. “He's got a lot of confidence in himself and it shows. He had a lot of (pass breakups), a lot of tackles in the last week, the three practices we had. He's gonna keep going and be a good football player for us.”
Get to know the members of Wisconsin football's 2025 recruiting class
Landyn Locke — Rockwall (Texas)
Landyn Locke became Wisconsin's first 2025 commit when he announced his intentions to become a Badger in June 2023.
Locke, the younger brother of current Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, is a consensus three-star recruit who’s listed at 6-4 and 185 pounds on Hudl. He was named District 10-6A co-offensive MVP for the 2023 season. He completed 60.6% of his throws for 1,702 yards and 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions as a junior, according to MaxPreps.
Remington Moss — Fredericksburg St. Michael (Virginia)
Remington Moss, who's father is a cousin of former Wisconsin running back great Brent Moss, announced his commitment to the Badgers in August 2023.
Moss is rated as a four-star recruit by On3 and 247Sports composite rankings. On3 evaluates him as the No. 192 player in the 2025 class as of June 12.
He's been back to Madison multiple times since committing to Wisconsin, and his position versatility could help the defensive backfield.
Michael Roeske — Wautoma
Wisconsin won a key recruiting battle for Michael Roeske, an in-state offensive lineman who said Notre Dame was also one of his top schools before deciding to stay home. The Wautoma product also announced Power Four offers from the following schools: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Syracuse and defending national champion Michigan.
As of June 12, Roeske was rated as a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings, which is the outlet's algorithm that computes evaluations from the four major recruiting outlets.
Cooper Catalano — Germantown
Another key in-state target, Cooper Catalano announced his commitment to Wisconsin in November 2023. Catalano's a consensus three-star recruit who also tweeted offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan State and Missouri.
Catalano earned all-state large school honorable mention accolades from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior. He finished the 2023 season with 138 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to wissports.net.
Expect Catalano to play for Mike Tressel's inside linebacker room when he arrives as an expected early enrollee starting in January 2025.
Jai'mier Scott — Cincinnati Mt. Healthy (Ohio)
Jai'mier Scott was another early recruiting win for coach Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin staff, as he announced his commitment in January.
Scott is rated as a four-star recruit by On3, Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings as of June 2024. Rivals evaluates him the highest as the No. 136 player in the 2025 class.
He announced offers from the following Power Four schools: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke (under current Texas A&M coach Mike Elko), Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Scott's another defensive back who could provide versatility to Wisconsin's safety room. He recorded 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and two interceptions this past season as a junior, according to the Southwest Ohio Conference.
Sam Lateju — The Lawrenceville School (New Jersey)
Sam Lateju is another long, athletic recruit (listed at 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds on Hudl) in the style the Wisconsin staff is looking for at the outside linebacker position.
Lateju committed to Wisconsin in March. He took an unofficial visit during one of the program's junior day events in the winter.
He is a consensus three-star recruit who had previously tweeted Power Four offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.
Grant Dean — Neenah
Neenah's Grant Dean visited twice in the spring before receiving an offer from the home-state Badgers, but he jumped on the offer once it was presented by the staff.
Dean, a three-star defensive back, announced his commitment to Wisconsin in April. He announced offers from Army, Northern Illinois, Wyoming and FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State before committing to Wisconsin.
Dean was a two-way standout for Neenah, rushing for 1,774 yards on 7.3 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns in 2023, according to wissports.net. The site also reported that he finished his junior season with 59 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions.
Dean could be another versatile member of Wisconsin's safety group.
Cam Clark — Dexter (Michigan)
The first offensive line commit for new assistant AJ Blazek came from Cam Clark, who announced his decision to become a Badger in April.
Clark's a consensus three-star lineman who has announced Power Four offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, among others.
Luke Emmerich — Monticello (Minnesota)
Wisconsin's staff once again found a Minnesota standout to join its program, as Luke Emmerich announced his commitment to the Badgers on May 3.
"First time I saw it I knew it was the place I wanted to be, whether I was a student or an athlete, and then God blessed me to be able to become an athlete," Emmerich told BadgerExtra. "So it was a no-brainer for me. The second I got the offer, me, my family, they knew it was the one I wanted and it was the one I've been hoping for."
Emmerich is another Wisconsin commit who’s shined on the track, as according to athletic.net, he ran a 10.69 in the 100-meter dash on April 23.
Emmerich also announced other Power Four offers from Boston College, California, Utah, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Southern Cal and Utah. Wisconsin views him as an “athlete” in this class, which means his projected position within the program is yet to be solidified.
Cameron Miller — Atco Winslow Township (New Jersey)
Wisconsin locked in a key target when Cameron Miller announced his commitment on May 15.
Miller, a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings as of June 12, is projected to play the crucial slot receiver position in Phil Longo's Air Raid passing scheme.
He caught 59 receptions for 1,342 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns as a junior last season, according to Winslow Township coach Bill Belton, with Miller breaking the school’s single-season records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Logan Powell — Phoenix Brophy (Arizona)
Wisconsin started its June official visit season on the right foot with the commitment of offensive lineman Logan Powell on June 1.
Powell's a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3's Industry rankings. Wisconsin was among his top five schools April 23, which included Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He also announced offers from Florida State, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Southern Cal and Washington, among others.
Wisconsin said he can play on the interior of the line at guard or potentially even center, according to Powell.
Nolan Davenport — Massillon Washington (Ohio)
Another highly rated offensive lineman committed to Wisconsin in June with the addition of Nolan Davenport.
Davenport, who's rated as a four-star recruit by On3 as of June, announced the following Power Four offers: Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan State, Mississippi, Missouri, NC State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Stanford and Vanderbilt. The offer from the Commodores came in August 2023, when Wisconsin assistant AJ Blazek was offensive line coach for the SEC program.
Davenport took an official visit to Wisconsin the weekend of May 31-June 2.
Jahmare Washington — Chicago Morgan Park
Wisconsin continues to find recruits to add to its program from the Chicagoland area with the commitment of Jahmare Washington.
Washington, a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, took an official visit to Madison the weekend of June 7-9. He then announced June 9 his intentions to become a Badger.
Washington, listed at 6 foot 2 and 170 pounds on Hudl, is expected to play cornerback in the Badgers' defense.
Washington received Power Four interest, with announced offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State and Michigan State.
Nizyi Davis — Indianapolis Lawrence Central
Wisconsin finally found its 2025 tight end when Nizyi Davis announced his commitment June 10.
Davis is listed at 6 foot 6 and 215 pounds on Hudl, and Rivals evaluated him as the No. 33 tight end in the nation for the 2025 class as of June. He took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin on April 13 and returned for an official visit the weekend of May 31-June 2.
Torin Pettaway — Middleton
Wisconsin didn't give up in pursuing Torin Pettaway after his flip to Minnesota in late March, and it paid off for the Badgers less than three months later.
Pettaway, a three-star recruit from nearby Middleton, flipped back his commitment to Wisconsin on June 11.
Pettaway, who is listed at 6 foot 5 on wissports.net, told BadgerExtra in June that he was around 285 pounds. All four major recruiting outlets evaluate him as a three-star recruit after his first season of playing high school football. He announced Power Four offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Illinois and Washington.
Mason Posa — Albuquerque La Cueva
Mason Posa became Wisconsin's highest-rated commit of its 2025 class when he announced June 13 his commitment to the Badgers.
Posa is a consensus four-star recruit, with 247Sports evaluating him the highest as the No. 154 player and No. 18 linebacker in the 2025 class as of June 13. He finished his junior season with 133 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to Hudl.
Posa was one of the priority recruits for coach Luke Fickell and his staff, and he took two multi-day trips in May. That included an official visit to campus the weekend of May 31-June 2.
He's expected to play at one of Wisconsin's inside linebacker positions, joining Germantown's Cooper Catalano.
Posa is also a two-sports standout, as he has won three state championships in wrestling.
Eugene Hilton Jr. — Zionsville (Indiana)
Wisconsin secured another verbal commitment in June when 2025 wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. announced his intentions to become a Badger.
Wisconsin’s summer success on the recruiting trail through the first two weeks of June continued with a verbal commitment from Eugene Hilton Jr.
Hilton, a four-star wide receiver by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings, announced his decision June 14. Rivals also evaluated him as the No. 55 wide receiver and No. 6 player in the state of Indiana as of the date of commitment.
Hilton caught 46 passes for 836 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns last season as a junior, according to Zionsville. He is the son of former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.
The Badgers secured eight commitments for its 2025 class between June 1 and June 14. All had taken official visits during those first two weekends, and Hilton made the trek to Madison for the weekend of June 7-9.
Two commits have come from the state of Indiana, which the Wisconsin staff targeted in this cycle, during this span in Hilton and Indianapolis Lawrence Central tight end Nizyi Davis.
Nicolas Clayton — Gainesville Buchholz (Florida)
Wisconsin received its third commitment for Matt Mitchell's outside linebacker room with the addition of Nicolas Clayton.
Clayton, who plays for Gainesville Buccholz in Florida, tweeted his decision June 22. He took official visits to Nebraska, Central Florida, Wisconsin, Tulane and Florida State. He has also tweeted offers from Duke, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue and Southern Cal, among others.
Clayton, listed at 6 foot 5 and 215 pounds on Hudl, was bumped to a four-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings this fall. He was one of three Wisconsin 2025 commits from Florida at one point during this recruiting cycle, but now is the lone member from the Sunshine State.
Xavier Ukponu — Denton Guyer (Texas)
Xavier Ukponu, a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Denton (Texas) Guyer, announced Aug. 5 his commitment to Wisconsin.
Ukponu received significant interest during his recruiting journey. He tweeted a graphic in February that showed notable Power Four offers from Florida, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Southern Cal, Tennessee and Texas, among others. He took official visits to California, Arkansas and LSU, according to this Twitter account.
Ukponu traveled to Wisconsin for an unofficial visit on July 26 and later returned to Madison the weekend of Aug. 26 for the Penn State game.
He's listed at 6 foot 3 and 300 pounds on Hudl, and his size, frame and strength could help fortify Wisconsin's interior defensive line for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and assistant E.J. Whitlow.
Emmett Bork — Oconomowoc
Bork was the third 2025 recruit that Wisconsin flipped from a Big Ten rival.
Bork is a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Oconomowoc, announced Oct. 28 his commitment to the Badgers. He initially made the decision to play for Michigan State in May, and he had also tweeted Big Ten offers from Illinois, Indiana and Rutgers.
Bork expects to enroll early at Wisconsin in January. He's listed at 6 foot 6 and 245 pounds on WisSports, and that could project to more of an in-line tight end role once in the Badgers' strength and conditioning program.
He has abilities to influence both the run and passing game. The site credits him with 17 receptions for 198 yards receiving and two touchdowns in eight regular season games as a senior.
Hardy Watts — Brookline Dexter (Massachusetts)
Wisconsin picked up one of its highest-rated players of the 2025 class when Hardy Watts announced July 1 his commitment to the Badgers. Clemson and Michigan were his two other top schools, and he also took official visits to all three programs this summer.
Watts is a four-star recruit and No. 139 player in the 2025 class, according to On3. He received plenty of interest, announcing notable Power Four offers from the following: Alabama, Boston College, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, among others.
Watts, who plays for Brookline Dexter in Massachusetts, is among five projected offensive lineman to be a part of Wisconsin's 2025 class. If those handful keep with their commitments, it would be the second consecutive recruiting cycle that the Badgers would have five players for that position group. Watts also planned to enroll early as of this summer.
Drayden Pavey — Cincinnati Taft
Wisconsin was able to flip multiple recruits from Big Ten rivals during this 2025 class, including this Ohio standout who should help the Badgers' defensive line.
Drayden Pavey backed off his verbal pledge from Purdue and eventually announced Oct. 22 his commitment to Wisconsin. He's a consensus three-star recruit from Cincinnati Taft who took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin on April 20.
He tweeted an offer from the Badgers a day later and returned to Madison for an official visit in mid-June. He initially annonced his commitment to the Boilermakers in July.
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