Phil Steele’s latest preview magazine paints a much brighter picture for Wisconsin heading into 2026, and the biggest reason is simple: the Badgers look different on both sides of the ball.
Mason Posa earned a spot on Steele’s Midwest cover, a nod to the linebacker’s breakout year and a hint at how Steele sees this next Wisconsin team taking shape. In his breakdown of the Badgers, Steele leaned hard into the idea that the roster overhaul could finally unlock real progress after a rough offensive season.
Wisconsin’s offense is loaded with new names in Steele’s projected starting group, including quarterback Colton Joseph, running back Abu Sama, center Austin Kawecki, tackle PJ Wilkins, wide receiver Jaylon Domingeaux and tight end Jacob Harris. At the same time, several familiar pieces are still expected to matter, with Chris Brooks Jr. and Eugene Hilton Jr. at receiver and Emerson Mandell and Colin Cubberly holding down guard spots.
Steele’s confidence in the unit starts with how much room there is to grow.
"The Badgers lost their starting QB on the eighth play of the season and shuffled the O-line weekly and had just 253 (yards per game) and 13 (points per game)," Steel wrote. "This year they have an offense that will feature the QB run and have the pieces to be vastly improved."
That optimism extends to the ground game in particular. Steele called Wisconsin’s rushing attack the most improved unit in the country entering 2026, a projection that lines up with Sama bringing more juice to the backfield and Joseph giving the offense a true dual-threat element. Darrion Dupree, last season’s leading rusher, is also back in a key role.
The defense is getting its own reset, too. Steele expects defensive lineman Hammond Russell, linebacker Jon Jon Kamara, cornerback Javan Robinson, nickel Bryce West and safety Marvin Burks Jr. to headline the group at every level. He also listed outside linebacker Justus Boone, returning defensive lineman Charles Perkins and cornerback Jai'mier Scott as starters in deeper position groups.
Posa and inside linebacker Cooper Catalano remain central pieces, but Steele sees the secondary as the area most in need of a jump.
"Last year the unit overachieved and this year does have just four of the top 16 tacklers back, but will be good with a much improved secondary," Steele said.
The overall forecast is encouraging. Steele has Wisconsin tied for No. 12 in the conference, projects a bowl berth and thinks the Badgers could potentially double their win total from last season. He also slots UW at No. 12 in his list of the most improved teams, and says the retention of head coach Luke Fickell should be "rewarded" in 2026.
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