The Wisconsin Badgers are heading into a critical offseason, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher. After a 4-8 finish in 2025 - the program’s second straight year without a bowl appearance, something that hasn’t happened since the early 2000s - the pressure is mounting.
Head coach Luke Fickell will be back for a fourth season, but it’s clear the leash is short and the expectations are real. This isn’t just about winning games - it’s about restoring the identity of Wisconsin football.
But as Fickell and his staff begin to chart a path forward, three Badgers players are waiting on a court decision that could shape not only their futures but also the team’s 2026 roster.
3 Badgers Await Court Ruling That Could Impact 2026 Season
Tight end Lance Mason, kicker Nathanial Vakos, and long snapper Nick Levy are among a group of 10 players challenging the NCAA’s redshirt rule in a federal antitrust lawsuit. The current rule allows players to participate in four seasons within a five-year window. These athletes argue that the restriction unfairly limits their eligibility and violates federal antitrust laws.
This week, the case took a major step forward in a Nashville, Tennessee courtroom. U.S. District Judge William Campbell held a hearing to consider a preliminary injunction that would grant five of the players - including Mason, Vakos, and Levy - an additional year of eligibility while the broader lawsuit plays out.
Now, it’s a waiting game.
Judge Campbell has already shown a willingness to side with players in similar cases. He granted a preliminary injunction earlier that allowed quarterback Diego Pavia, a Heisman Trophy finalist, to suit up for Vanderbilt in 2025. But in this latest hearing, he didn’t issue a ruling or tip his hand on which way he’s leaning.
For Wisconsin, the outcome could have real on-field implications. Mason has already said he plans to play his fifth year in Madison if granted eligibility.
Levy hasn’t specified his next move, and Vakos is reportedly eyeing another Big Ten program. If Mason returns, it would be a boost to a Badgers offense that struggled to find consistency last season.
Fickell’s Fourth Year: The Pressure Is On
Luke Fickell came to Madison with the reputation of a program builder - someone who could blend toughness with modern schemes and get Wisconsin back into the national conversation. But after a 7-6 debut in 2023, the Badgers have stumbled. The 2025 campaign was particularly rough, with the team finishing 4-8 and missing a bowl for the second straight year.
That’s unfamiliar territory for a program that once prided itself on physical dominance, elite line play, and a punishing run game. It’s also the first time Wisconsin has gone back-to-back without a bowl since 2001-2002 - a clear sign that something has to change.
Athletic Director Chris McIntosh made it clear in November that Fickell would return in 2026, and he backed that up with a commitment to increase funding and support for the program. That could mean changes in staff, facilities, recruiting resources - anything to help the Badgers get back on track.
But make no mistake: 2026 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year. The Big Ten isn’t getting any easier, especially with the addition of powerhouse programs and a new-look conference schedule. For Fickell, the challenge is twofold - he needs to win games and reestablish the hard-nosed identity that made Wisconsin a perennial contender.
What Comes Next?
The ruling from Judge Campbell could come at any time, and it will be closely watched not just in Madison but across the college football landscape. If Mason is cleared to play, he could be a valuable piece for an offense that needs playmakers. If Vakos and Levy are granted extra eligibility but land elsewhere, it’s a reminder of how fluid rosters have become in the transfer era - and how important it is for programs to adapt quickly.
For Wisconsin, the next few months will be about more than just offseason workouts and recruiting visits. It’s about course correction.
The pieces are there - a respected head coach, a loyal fanbase, and a rich tradition. But the margin for error is shrinking, and the clock is ticking.
The Badgers don’t just need a bounce-back year. They need to rediscover who they are.