The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off of a 4-8 season, in which they gave up a whopping 21.6 points per game and they are undoubtedly in need of defensive answers. Under the 4-2-5 zone-heavy scheme of defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, a lot of responsibility falls on the squad’s front seven.
Wisconsin’s defense as a whole underwent a complete overhaul this offseason. Of the 11 starters from last year’s defense, only three will be wearing Badger red and white this season — two of them are linebackers.
With the Shamrock Series and kickoff against Notre Dame right around the corner, Wisconsin has a few potential catalysts on the roster that can act as sparkplugs for a defensive revival for Badger football. The combination of young talent, veteran experience and added depth could mark a turning point for this front seven that old-school football lovers have been desperately waiting for.
Outside Linebackers
Sebastian Cheeks, a 6-foot-3, 243-pound graduate student, is one veteran expected to take on a bigger role this season. Last season with limited reps, Cheeks posted 25 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and three sacks — a testament to his sheer speed and physicality.
“He's really trying to take on more than himself. He's trying to influence [his teammates],” outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell said.
Beyond the box score, Mitchell described Cheeks as an “intelligent, relationship-driven” player, while noting that he’s stepped into a leadership role this year. Entering his third and final year with the Badgers, this is the last chance for the former highly touted recruit to step up as Wisconsin's primary edge rusher.
Nicholas Clayton was a notable standout in the Badgers’ linebacker room, as the 6-foot-5, 245-pound sophomore has put on 45 pounds since January.
“Last year I was trying to run outside and beat people off of the edge, but this year I feel like I can physically move offensive linemen with how much weight I’ve gained,” outside linebacker Nick Clayton said.
The former four star recruit explained he’s only gotten faster after putting on the pounds, most recently running a 4.57 40-meter dash, which points to his dual-threat pass-rushing and run-blocking abilities.
In the age of name, image and likeness, which has produced exponential growth in the transfer portal pool, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has brought in several quality linebackers. Most recently, he picked up Justice Boone out of Arkansas over the offseason.
To the Cardinal, Mitchell credited the 6-foot-5, 278-pound linebacker with his instinctual abilities and adaptation from Arkansas’ 3-3-5 scheme. His size and former experience could be a great asset to the team, although his age comes with some downsides, as Mitchell mentioned on Aug. 7.
“He's a little bit of an older player…I'm going to have to be cognizant about the load,” Mitchell said.
After suffering an injury in the spring, senior Michael Garner appears to be back in great health. He is a great option against a run-heavy offense at 6-foot-7 and 315-pounds.
“He’s very strong at the point of attack and doesn’t get displaced. He’s got good instincts and now it’s about continuing to work on some of the pass-rush stuff,” Mitchell said.
Inside Linebackers
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the Badgers’ offseason wasn’t an acquisition in the transfer portal or signing a new recruit out of high school, but rather retaining linebacker Mason Posa.
After a monster freshman campaign, Posa had every right to enter the transfer portal where he would’ve been one of the most sought after defensive players. Instead, the FWAA Freshman All-American returns to Madison for his sophomore season.
Alongside Posa is Wisconsin native Cooper Catalano, another sophomore who got plenty of playing time as a true freshman. Catalano recorded 56 tackles — the most by a Power 4 freshman since 2017 — 2.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.
Posa and Catalano are the Badgers’ homegrown talents on defense. They will anchor a linebacker group that has all the potential in the world to take a serious step forward in 2026 and become one of the best in the Big Ten.
Defensive Tackles
Wisconsin’s defensive line was a bright spot on a statistically mediocre defense in 2025. They allowed 105.3 rushing yards per game — 4th fewest in the Big Ten — and recorded 32.0 sacks, tied for 4th most in the conference.
After an aggressive offseason in the transfer portal, none of the starters along the line from last year will be returning in 2026. Head Coach Luke Fickell is particularly optimistic about this position group.
“But I can tell you this, I think it’s a really solid group. I think it’s got some depth, I think it’s got some heart, I think it’s got some different leadership than maybe we’ve had,” Fickell said during media availability after practice on Aug. 23rd.
Charles Perkins has emerged as one of those leaders. The University Tennesee-Martin transfer played in eight games in 2025 and finished with six tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, both of which came in a breakout performance against Indiana. The redshirt senior returns in 2026 already familiar with Fickell’s system, and that experience could prove to be valuable to this defensive line this season.
Hammond Russell IV and Junior Poyser make up two of the transfers from this 2026 class and should both be heavily involved in the rotation. Russell provides veteran experience and size, whileand Poyser was named All Mac Third Team in 2025 after tallying 31 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.
Wisconsin and their revamped defense will start off their season traveling to Lambeau Field to take on Notre Dame on Sept. 6.
