Wisconsin football will likely enter the 2025 season with measured expectations despite the team’s impressive transfer portal haul.
That is due to several factors. First, the team went 5-7 in 2024 and is now just 12-13 in two full years under Luke Fickell. Second, the new Big Ten landscape has eliminated Wisconsin’s clear path to nine wins and Big Ten West title. Third, and most importantly, the Badgers face one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2025, headlined by games against Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and Michigan.
For our purposes, the build-up to the 2025 season will be about setting proper expectations. There is a real chance that Wisconsin is much-improved on both sides of the football. But given its schedule, it is likely to need several late-season wins to reach the all-important six-win threshold. The context behind the team’s results, then, will become nearly as important as the results themselves.
With all that in mind, we’re taking an early look at the positions that will decide the Badgers’ fate in 2025 with our initial roster-wide position group rankings entering spring practice:
10. Inside Linebacker
Projected Starters: Christian Alliegro, Tackett Curtis
Alliegro is Wisconsin’s one returning starter at the position. He totaled 66 tackles, five for loss and three sacks in 2024 as one of the Badgers’ more productive defenders. The big question comes beside him, as former USC transfer Tackett Curtis projects to step into the starting role. Curtis started as a true freshman for the Trojans in 2023, then operated as a reserve for the Badgers last season. He’s yet to live up to a sky-high recruiting billing — four-star, No. 110 player in class of 2023, No. 9 linebacker.
Wisconsin also added Western Carolina transfer Antarron Turner at the position. He may compete with Curtis for the second starting role.
9. Outside Linebacker
Projected Starters: Mason Reiger (transfer), Darryl Peterson
Wisconsin needs a breakout season from its outside linebacker corps after the program was among the worst in the country at pressuring opposing passers in 2024. Reiger (Louisville) and Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky) transfer in to help that cause. They should each play prominent roles, along with returning veterans Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt, popular breakout pick Sebastian Cheeks, and rising freshman Thomas Heiberger.
The Badgers should have a ton of depth at this position. The question surrounds whether the starters can deliver top-end results.
8. Running Back
Projected Starter: Darrion Dupree
Wisconsin is expected to run the ball effectively under new coordinator Jeff Grimes in 2025. That is mostly projection, as the team has several unproven options at the position. Rising sophomore Darrion Dupree figures to lead the room after taking 79 carries for 317 yards and a touchdown in 2024. Junior Cade Yacamelli (33 carries, 274 yards, two touchdowns) should also factor into the equation. The Badgers should have a strong rushing attack this season. It’s hard to rank this group among the team’s best when its top options are mostly unproven.
7. Wide Receiver
Projected Starters: Vinny Anthony, Mark Hamper (transfer), Trech Kekahuna (slot)
Wisconsin has a versatile wide receiver corps after the key transfer additions of Hamper (Idaho) and Jayden Ballard (Ohio State). Anthony returns to lead the room after a breakout 2024 season (39 catches, 672 yards, four touchdowns). Hamper, Ballard and 2024 transfer Joseph Griffin figure to battle for the WR2 role. Trech Kekahuna (25 catches, 339 yards, two touchdowns) should be a write-in at slot receiver with Will Pauling gone to Notre Dame.
Wisconsin’s wide receiver group won’t be asked to carry the offense like it was in Phil Longo’s scheme. This group, however, still has an incredibly high ceiling. Much of that ceiling is dependent on the team’s quarterback play.
6. Safety
Projected Starters: Preston Zachman, Matthew Traynor (transfer)
Both Traynor (Richmond) and Matt Jung (Bethel) transfer in from lower levels — Football Championship Subdivision and D-III, respectively. Both players will likely see the field in a regular role on the defense. The two will lineup next to Zachman, whose return is major news after Wisconsin lost star Hunter Wohler to the NFL. He’ll provide a much-needed veteran presence on the back end of the defense.
This position’s potential comes down to how Traynor and Jung translate their top-end production to the Big Ten level.
5. Defensive Line
Projected Starters: Parker Petersen (transfer), Jay’viar Suggs (transfer), Corey Walker (transfer)
Wisconsin completely remade its defensive line room during the winter portal window. Petersen (Tulane), Suggs (LSU) and Walker (Central Michigan) all bring years of experience and production to the table. They’ll suit up alongside returning veteran Ben Barten (22 tackles, five pass deflections, two fumble recoveries in 2024), fellow transfer Charles Perkins (UT Martin) and second-year Badgers Dillan Johnson and Jamel Howard.
Unlike in 2024, Wisconsin has a deep defensive line room. The position should enter the 2025 season with a high floor and a mostly unknown ceiling. It’s unclear whether the group has a Keeanu Benton.
4. Quarterback
Projected Starter: Billy Edwards Jr.
Wisconsin hopes to get through the 2025 season with just one player starting under center. Its last two seasons, especially 2024, were defined by injuries at the position. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. shouldn’t have much trouble delivering Wisconsin’s best quarterback season since 2019 if he can stay healthy. He excelled with the Terrapins in 2024 despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the conference. Wisconsin boasts a strong supporting cast and a scheme that should match his strengths.
3. Offensive Line
Projected Starters: Kevin Heywood (left tackle), Joe Brunner (left guard), Jake Renfro (center), J.P. Benzschawel (right guard), Riley Mahlman (right tackle)
Speaking of supporting cast, Wisconsin again projects to be strong along the offensive line. Mahlman, Renfro and Brunner return to lead the group. The big question comes at left tackle, where top 2024 signee Kevin Heywood currently has the inside track at the job. The Badgers got through 2024 with the same five starters across the line. A similar fortune should lead to another strong season from the position.
2. Tight End
Projected Starter: Tanner Koziol (transfer)
Koziol transfers in after leading Ball State with 94 catches, 839 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He’s being named with the best tight ends in the nation entering 2025. He projects to fit perfectly in Grimes’ pro-style offense, especially with a quarterback as strong as Edwards Jr. Nobody should be surprised if he leads Wisconsin in every receiving category this season.
1. Cornerback
Projected Starters: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean*
Hallman’s return was major news for the Badgers after top freshman Xavier Lucas left for Miami. He projects to be joined by Fourqurean, who is currently in a legal battle to gain an extra year of eligibility. Fourqurean’s potential return would give the Badgers the same starting duo from 2024, one that arguably led the team’s best position group. Transfers Geimere Latimer (Jacksonville State) and D’Yoni Hill (Miami) should also play prominent roles.
Wisconsin again enters 2025 with one of the best cornerback rooms in the Big Ten.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football 2025 position group depth chart ranking pre spring
