Wisconsin’s offense has no shortage of players worth watching as the Badgers head toward the 2026 season, but a few stand out for reasons that go beyond simple production. The roster includes athletes with rare size, unusual movement skills, and physical tools that make you stop and take a second look.
At the top of that list is quarterback Joseph, who brings the kind of dual-threat juice that can change a game in a hurry. His arm talent is viewed as above average, even if accuracy remains a question, but it’s what he does with his legs that really jumps off the page.
Over the last two seasons, he ran for 1,654 yards and 24 touchdowns. Yes, that came in the Sun Belt, and yes, he still has plenty to prove in the Big Ten.
But the explosiveness is real. In the opener against Indiana last fall, Joseph ripped off 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a pair of runs of more than 75 yards.
Indiana didn’t allow another opponent to top 117 rushing yards in a game the rest of the season. Joseph is fast, slippery in the pocket and, in the purest sense, one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the country.
As QB1, he matters for what he can do as a passer. He matters even more for what almost nobody else at his position can do.
Then there’s offensive tackle Simmons-Johansson, who may not be in line to start but still qualifies as one of the most interesting linemen on the roster. He’s currently behind Kevin Heywood and PJ Wilkins on the depth chart, yet his profile is hard to ignore.
Jeff Grimes said Simmons-Johansson started spring slowly while learning a new offense, but by the end of camp he was working with the starters and making clear progress over the course of 15 practices. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 308 pounds, he has already added 12 pounds during summer workouts, according to offensive line coach Eric Mateos.
That kind of frame is exactly why there’s optimism around the former top-10 tackle recruit in the country.
The other name that jumps out is tight end Harris, whose blend of size and receiving ability gives Wisconsin something unusual at the position. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, he is the biggest player in the room and possibly the best receiver, too.
Last season at Bowling Green, he caught 19 passes for 182 yards and five touchdowns, with much of his value coming as a redzone target. The tape shows soft hands and some wiggle after the catch, which is not something you usually say about a player that big.
Tight ends coach Nate Letton said Harris is "more blessed with (good hands) probably more than anybody I've been around," and also called him his "fun little toy." That kind of language says plenty about how Wisconsin views the possibilities with Harris.
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Barry Alvarezs Reaction To Wisconsins New AD Will Turn Heads
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Barry Alvarezs public backing gives the move an extra layer of intrigue, especially for a fan base that remembers how much sway he still carries around the program. Alvarez pointed to Eichorsts Wisconsin roots and his experience at Texas while framing the broader arc of his career as one that has included lessons learned along the way, making this one of those hires where the reaction from inside the building may matter just as much as the rsum itself. [Read more 🡒]