Wisconsin’s search for stability at left tackle has landed on an intriguing answer in Ole Miss transfer PJ Wilkins, a massive lineman whose profile is as compelling as it is uncertain.
Wilkins arrived in Madison with SEC experience, but his path to the Badgers wasn’t exactly straightforward. He opened the 2025 season as a starter for Ole Miss, then lost that job two games in.
Before that, he had started his career at Charlotte, which left him looking like a bit of a journeyman when he transferred. Even so, Wisconsin saw enough to give him a real shot at a premium spot.
The physical traits jump out immediately. Wilkins is listed at 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds, making him the heaviest projected starter on Wisconsin’s offensive line.
That size, along with what the staff views as tackle-friendly movement skills, pushed him into the conversation at left tackle almost right away. Offensive line coach Eric Mateos didn’t wait long to test the fit, and Wilkins spent spring camp as the Badgers’ starting left tackle.
“PJ is interesting because he’s played more guard in games, however, as we started to get to know him, we felt like he was a guy who…has tackle feet and an incredible wingspan,” offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said.
Mateos offered a similar read on why Wisconsin believes the move makes sense.
“PJ is a guy that I thought is a little out of position. He’s not 6-7, but he’s got extremely long arms and long legs," Mateos said. "Knowing PJ, I thought his body and his skillset was more fit for tackle.”
That’s the bet here: that Wilkins’ length and mass can offset the fact that he’s still learning the position on the fly. It’s also what makes him such a fascinating piece for Wisconsin.
The upside is obvious. If the adjustment takes, the Badgers may have found a long-term answer on the blind side and a player capable of becoming one of the better tackles in the conference.
A strong first season in Madison could even put the NFL in play.
There’s also real risk baked into the experiment. Left tackle is too important to be guessing, and Wilkins’ floor is lower than most players on the roster because of the position change.
If the transition doesn’t stick, he could look overmatched, and Wisconsin could be right back where it started with a revolving door at a spot that has been in rough shape recently. In that scenario, Florida State transfer Lucas Simmons-Johansson would be the next man up.
For now, though, Wilkins has handled the move well. He took over the starting left tackle job immediately in spring and has earned steady praise from coaches and teammates. Kevin Heywood was especially complimentary.
“PJ has done a great job of coming in with an open voice. His voice was heard since day one.
He has that leadership about him. And he’s a big dude, so he gets the job done for sure," Heywood said of Wilkins.
"He’s a great guy, hanging out with him outside of football has been great. He just brings a passion to this game.
You can see on the field he’s hungry to be a great player, and I enjoy that about him.”
That’s the encouraging part for Wisconsin: Wilkins looks like a player who wants the job, not just one filling it. He’s also walking into a situation where he can’t afford to coast, with Simmons-Johansson waiting behind him and pushing for reps. That kind of pressure should help keep the spot sharp, especially after Wisconsin had no real tackle depth last fall.
The most likely outcome, at least right now, sits somewhere in the middle. Wilkins may need a few games to settle in, and he probably won’t be a dominant left tackle from day one.
But he also doesn’t have to be a star for Wisconsin to feel good about the position. If he lands where the Badgers hope, the blind side becomes a strength instead of a question mark.
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