In a rough season punctuated by a blur of beatings, shutouts and letdowns, some seniors on the Badgers football team will play their last game at Camp Randall when Wisconsin hosts Illinois Saturday.
Though the Badgers have not had the season they hoped for, multiple senior players have contributed to the few moments of success the team experienced in the last few years. Their performances and commitment to the team have positively shaped the Wisconsin program into what it is today and will be going forward.
Kicker Nathanial Vakos
Kicker Nathanial Vakos has appeared in every Badger football game as the place-kicker since he first joined the team in 2023 after transferring from Ohio. The kicker was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2023, and is currently on the watch list for the award for the 2025 season.
Vakos was also an honorable mention for the 2023 All-Big Ten team, as well as earning the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award in September of that year. In 2024, Vakos became the Badgers all-time leader in 50 plus yard field goals, with four in total.
Vakos has made all 80 extra point opportunities since the beginning of his career with the Badgers, as well as 32 of his 47 field goal attempts. Throughout his career, the Badgers have relied on him to put points on the board when most needed. While Vakos made himself crucial in Wisconsin’s 13-10 win against Washington by drilling two field goals, he has made only 5 of 9 field goals this season, and head coach Luke Fickell revealed Wisconsin is open to making a change at the position.
Tight end Jackson Acker
Jackson Acker may also be playing his last home game in Madison. Acker has been with the Badgers since the start of his Division I career in 2021, playing multiple positions beside tight end for the team, including running back and fullback. Acker earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and 2023.
Through his 48 games as a Badger, Acker has amassed 383 rushing yards and 269 receiving yards, as well as five touchdowns. On special teams, Acker has earned eight solo tackles.
Wide Receiver Vinny Anthony II
Vinny Anthony II, a long time Wisconsin wideout, has been a key contributor since the start of his career in 2022. The senior has appeared in almost every game since his freshman year, with six career touchdowns and a total of 831 receiving yards. Anthony’s most successful season was in 2024, where he earned 672 total receiving yards. Anthony was also recognized multiple times that year within the Big Ten and ranked fourth in total return yards as the Badgers’ primary kick returner.
Anthony was awarded Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2024. He was also featured on the 2025 Paul Hornung Award preseason watchlist as one of the most versatile players in the league. Anthony has been able to perform efficiently for the team in his last two seasons, with his blazing speed allowing him to change the game with one catch.
Cornerback Ricardo Hallman
Ricardo Hallman has earned many honors since becoming a Badger in 2021. Hallman was awarded Academic All-Big Ten honors three times (2022, 2023 2024), as well as AP Third Team All-American and All-Big Ten Third Team in 2023. The cornerback is also currently a semifinalist for the 2025 Campbell Trophy given to the nation’s top college football player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance and has generated some NFL draft buzz.
Throughout his career, Hallman played in almost every Badger football game, recording 88 total tackles, 72 of which were solo tackles. Hallman has also recorded ten interceptions, as well as a defensive touchdown in 2023.
These seniors, along with many others, will most likely appear on the Camp Randall field as a Badger for the last time Saturday. Their contributions to the Wisconsin football program are not to be overlooked.
