Wisconsin faces a pivotal 2026 season. Can Fickell revitalize the Badgers' fortunes with returning talent and portal additions?
Notre Dame kicks off the 2026 season with a matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, who enter a crucial year under head coach Luke Fickell. After back-to-back losing records, which includes a 5-13 record in the Big Ten, Fickell enters a must-win season. If he can't get things turned around quickly his seat will get very, very hot.
The good news is Wisconsin showed signs of life late in 2025, beating No. 21 Illinois (27-10) and No. 23 Washington (13-10) in November. Wisconsin also played Indiana tough, trailing just 10-7 at halftime, and they also competed hard with Oregon before falling 21-7. They'll need to build on that and show significant improvement in 2026.
Let's take a look at the Badgers.
2025 Record: 4-8 / 2-7
2024 Record: 5-7 / 3-6
Wisconsin Offense
Starters Returning - QB Hunter Simmons, WR Vinny Anthony II, WR Chris Brooks, TE Lance Mason, RG Colin Cubberly, RT Emerson Mandell
Starters Lost - QB Billy Edwards (portal), RB Dilin Jones (portal), WR Tech Kekahuna (portal), C Davis Heinzen, LG Joe Brunner (portal), LT Riley Mahlman
Out of their 23 outgoing transfers, nine players departed for the portal. Some impactful, others were depth pieces. They do return some impactful players on the offensive side of the ball.
The Badger's top two pass catching weapons from last season return in receiver Anthony (31 rec., 391 yards, 12.6 YPC, 1 TD) and tight end Mason (30 rec., 398 yards, 13.3 YPC, 4 TD). Brooks (11 rec., 124 yards, 11.3 YPC) also returns to the starting lineup this fall. Wisconsin also returns two starters along the offensive line in Mandell (12 career starts) and Cubberly (7 career starts).
Their quarterback, Simmons (62-118, 52.5%, 664 yards, 5.6 YPA, 2 TD, 7 INT, 93.5 Rating) was their leading passer last season from a yardage standpoint. He started four games last season against Michigan on the road, Iowa and Ohio State at home and Oregon on the road. But the Badgers are expected to start the Old Dominion transfer.
Wisconsin Defense
Starters Returning - EDGE Darryl Peterson, EDGE Aaron Witt, DT Ben Barten, LB Cooper Catalano, LB Mason Posa, S Matt Jung
Starters Lost - DT Jay'viar Suggs, CB Ricardo Hallman, CB D'Yoni Hill, NB Geimere Latimer (portal), S Austin Brown
The Badgers defense received some good news when Barten (22 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Witt (11 tackles, 1.5 TFL) were granted extra years of eligibility to return to the defense. Wisconsin's two leading tacklers in Posa (58 tackles, 4.0 TFL) and Catalano (56 tackles, 4.5 TFL) also return to Madison this fall.
Their secondary took a hit losing four of their five starters, but Jung (49 tackles, 1.0 TFL) returns to the back end for the Badgers. Portal additions will play a big role in the secondary to replace Hallman, Hill, Latimer and Brown.
Portal Additions
Top Transfers - Offense: QB Colton Joseph (Old Dominion), RB Bryan Jackson (USC), RB Abu Sama III (Iowa State), WR Jaylon Domingeaux (SE Louisiana), WR Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State), C Austin Kawecki (Oklahoma State), OT Lucas Simmons (Florida State)
Top Transfers - Defense: EDGE Justus Boone (Arkansas), EDGE DeNigel Cooper (App State), DT Junior Poyser (Buffalo), DT Hammond Russell IV (West Virginia), DT Jake Anderson (Illinois State), LB Jon Jon Kamara (Kansas), CB Javan Robinson (Arizona State), CB Eric Fletcher (Oklahoma State), CB Bryce West (Ohio State), S Carson Van Dinter (Iowa State)
Wisconsin had one of the better portal cycles this offseason addressing their needs and bringing in solid talent. Offensively, bringing in Old Dominion transfer Joseph (173-290, 59.7%, 2,624 yards, 21 TD, 10 INT, 152.7 Rating, 1,007 rush yards, 13 TD) was a huge pickup. They also brought in Iowa State transfer Sama III (140 att., 732 yards, 5.2 YPC, 5 TD) and USC transfer Jackson (36 att., 123 yards, 3.4 YPC, 4 YD).
Defensively, they brought in some much-needed reinforcements in the secondary in Van Dinter (18 tackles, 1 pass defended), Oklahoma State transfer Fletcher (12 tackles, 3 passes defended) and several others. Wisconsin also brought in some size and depth along the defensive line as well including Arkansas transfer Boone (28 tackles, 1.0 sack) who the Irish faced this past season.
2026 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 59 On3/Rivals; No. 65 247Sports
2026 SCHEDULE
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