Wisconsin Football 2026: A Make-or-Break Year for Luke Fickell and the Badgers
The 2026 season isn’t just another chapter for Wisconsin football-it’s shaping up to be a defining one. After back-to-back losing seasons and a disappointing 5-13 mark in Big Ten play over the last two years, head coach Luke Fickell enters the fall with pressure mounting. The expectations are clear: show progress, or face serious questions about the program’s direction.
But there’s a glimmer of hope in Madison. Late in 2025, the Badgers started to show signs of a pulse.
They knocked off ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks-first No. 21 Illinois in a convincing 27-10 win, then No.
23 Washington in a gritty 13-10 battle. And while they couldn’t close the deal against Indiana or Oregon, they were competitive, trailing the Hoosiers just 10-7 at the half and hanging with the Ducks before falling 21-7.
It wasn’t enough to salvage the season, but it offered a glimpse of what this team could be with the right pieces in place.
Now, with some key returners and a strong haul from the transfer portal, the Badgers are hoping to turn the corner.
Offense: A New Leader Under Center and Familiar Faces Out Wide
Let’s start with the offense, where change is coming-especially at quarterback.
Hunter Simmons, who led the team in passing yards last season, is back after starting four games against some of the Big Ten’s best. He had a rough go statistically-just 664 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on a 52.5% completion rate-but he gained valuable experience against Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, and Oregon.
Still, all signs point to Old Dominion transfer Joseph taking over the reins. And that could be a game-changer.
Joseph brings dual-threat ability to the position, throwing for over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, while also rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 13 scores. That kind of versatility could inject much-needed life into a Wisconsin offense that struggled to find rhythm in 2025.
At the skill positions, the Badgers are returning some reliable weapons. Wide receiver Vinny Anthony II and tight end Lance Mason were the top two pass-catchers a year ago, combining for over 700 yards and five touchdowns.
Anthony brings big-play potential on the outside, while Mason gives them a steady target over the middle. Chris Brooks also returns after flashing in limited action, and he’ll likely see an expanded role.
Up front, right guard Colin Cubberly and right tackle Emerson Mandell return to anchor the offensive line. Mandell brings 12 career starts to the table, and Cubberly has seven under his belt. But Wisconsin will need to replace multiple starters, including both tackles and their center, which makes offensive line development a key storyline heading into fall camp.
They’ll also be breaking in a new backfield. Former Iowa State back Sama III joins the fold after rushing for 732 yards and five touchdowns last season. He’s joined by USC transfer Jackson, adding depth and competition to a group that lost leading rusher Dilin Jones to the portal.
Defense: Veteran Core Returns, Secondary Gets a Makeover
Defensively, the Badgers are counting on experience and some fresh faces to elevate a unit that had its moments in 2025 but lacked consistency.
The front seven gets a boost with the return of linemen Barten and Witt, both of whom were granted extra eligibility. Barten posted 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Witt added 11 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. But the real anchors are linebackers Posa and Catalano, who led the team in tackles last season and return as the heart of the defense.
The biggest challenge? Rebuilding the secondary.
Four of the five starters from last year are gone, leaving a major void on the back end. Safety Jung is the lone returning starter, coming off a 49-tackle season.
To fill the gaps, Wisconsin dipped heavily into the portal, bringing in a wave of defensive backs including Carson Van Dinter (Iowa State), Eric Fletcher (Oklahoma State), Javan Robinson (Arizona State), and Bryce West (Ohio State). Fletcher, in particular, brings some ball production with three passes defended last year.
Up front, the Badgers added some serious size and athleticism to the defensive line. Arkansas transfer Justus Boone, who tallied 28 tackles and a sack last season, headlines the group.
He’s joined by DeNigel Cooper (App State), Junior Poyser (Buffalo), Hammond Russell IV (West Virginia), and Jake Anderson (Illinois State). That’s a lot of bodies-and a lot of potential.
Linebacker Jon Jon Kamara (Kansas) also joins the mix and could push for playing time right away in a defense that’s looking to be more aggressive and disruptive in 2026.
What’s at Stake?
There’s no sugarcoating it: this is a critical year for Wisconsin football. The Badgers haven’t posted a winning season since 2023, and while Fickell inherited a program in transition, patience only lasts so long in the Big Ten-especially with the conference expanding and the level of competition rising.
The pieces are there. A dynamic new quarterback.
Proven pass-catchers. An experienced linebacker duo.
A retooled secondary. Now it’s about putting it all together.
Wisconsin opens the season against Notre Dame, and that matchup will be an early litmus test for where this team stands. If the Badgers can show they belong on that stage-and carry that confidence into Big Ten play-they might just turn the corner.
But if the struggles continue, the questions about the program’s direction will only grow louder.