The Wisconsin Badgers loaded up on talent this offseason, and that means there are plenty of fresh faces set to see the field at Camp Randall this fall. With so many newcomers in the mix, the real question isn’t just who’s on the roster - it’s who matters most.
That’s where the top of this list starts to take shape. Talent matters, sure, but so do role, momentum in fall practice, and how quickly a player can turn promise into production. With that in mind, here’s a look at numbers 14 through 8.
Bryce West and Emerson Mandell sit just outside the rankings as honorable mentions, and both carry plenty of intrigue. West looks like a locked-in slot corner starter, the kind of defensive back offenses are likely to target often.
The tools are there, as is the pedigree, but the game results still have to catch up because he hasn’t logged much experience yet. Mandell is in a similar spot: a young, highly regarded recruit with a chance to take on more.
Injuries and a position change slowed him last year, but his upside remains high, and Wisconsin needs its offensive line to be better in 2026.
At No. 14 is running back Abu Sama III, who looks like the best back in a group that could help Wisconsin inch back toward RBU status. This isn’t the Melvin Gordon, James White, and Montee Ball era, but it should be a step up from what the Badgers have had recently.
Sama, the Iowa State transfer, brings strength, toughness, and elusiveness, and he should handle most of the carries this fall. He probably won’t monopolize the workload, but he should get enough touches to push toward 1,000 yards.
Jacob Harris checks in at No. 13, and his value comes from the kind of role he can fill in the red zone. Wisconsin’s tight ends room has depth and future upside, including Emmett Bork, but Harris stands out because of his nose for the end zone.
In the Grimes offense, especially with a quarterback who might have some trouble finding success downfield, Harris feels like a natural fit. He may not pile up huge volume, but he should be an important piece.
Jai’mier Scott lands at No. 12 after flashing in spring ball and again in August. He’s currently positioned to line up opposite senior Javan Robinson, and the size, speed, and instincts are all there for him to thrive in Mike Tressel’s secondary-driven scheme. He’s still young and likely to work through some growing pains, but if he pops, that would be a major boost for the cornerback room and a strong sign for Luke Fickell’s developmental track.
At No. 11, edge rusher Sebastian Cheeks has a big opportunity in front of him. Mason Reiger’s departure left a real hole in the pass rush, and Cheeks is one of the experienced pieces back to help fill it.
He’s already been a solid player in Madison, but Wisconsin needs more than solid here. The coaches sound confident in him, and if he can get near double-digit sacks, that would be a major development.
Charles Perkins comes in at No. 10, and his job is straightforward: help steady a defensive line that lost a lot of dependable production. Health is the obvious key.
If he can stay on the field, there’s real upside for him to become a weapon, especially with Mason Posa and Cheeks creating chaos around him. A productive Perkins would raise the floor of the entire Wisconsin defense.
Eugene Hilton Jr. lands at No. 9, even ahead of some foundational offensive linemen, because Wisconsin’s offense needs someone at receiver to become a steady presence. He doesn’t have to be a superstar, but the Badgers badly need a reliable option who can stress defenses and help the offense function at a higher level in 2026. Hilton looks like their best candidate for that job, and what he’s shown in fall camp suggests he may be ready to seize the opening.
No. 8 is PJ Wilkins, and his importance is hard to miss even if the move itself has flown under the radar. A converted guard is now projected to handle left tackle, and that makes him a key piece for Wisconsin’s offense.
The 2025 line’s issues started with shaky blindside tackle play, and even after some later shuffling improved things, the unit never fully settled in. Wilkins is one of the biggest fixes on the board.
In Other News...
Joe Brunner Is Becoming A Frustrating What-If For Wisconsin
Joe Brunners move from Wisconsin to Indiana this offseason is the kind of transfer that lingers with a fan base, especially after a down year for the Badgers. A player once expected to be part of the lines foundation is now lining up somewhere else in the Big Ten, and the early signs in Bloomington suggest he is finding a different kind of fit.
At Indiana, Brunner has stepped into a more vocal leadership role on the offensive line, something he did not fully embrace in Madison. Curt Cignetti has made a point of pushing older transfers into those kinds of responsibilities, and Brunner appears to be responding to that approach in a way Wisconsin never quite saw. For the Badgers, it only adds to the frustration of wondering what might have been if that version of him had surfaced earlier. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins Offense Just Faced Its Toughest Camp Test Yet
Bad weather pushed Wisconsins fifth fall camp practice indoors, but the setting did little to soften the edge of the day. Offensive line coach Eric Mateos kept the pace and urgency high, and the defense made the most of the cramped space, especially up front, where the front seven controlled much of the session. The offense did find some rhythm with jet sweeps and pre-snap motion, but it was clear this was one of those camp days when every inch had to be earned.
One of the brighter offensive moments came from JUCO transfer tailback Juju Pope, who broke loose for a long touchdown with the second-team offense. Even so, the defense had the louder answers overall, with Posa coming through on one of the most disruptive plays of the day by knifing into the backfield on a jet-motion look and blowing it up before it could get started. For an offense still sorting itself out, it was a useful reminder that camp progress often looks more like resistance than comfort. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Fall Camp Is Setting Up Some Big Starting Job Fights
Fall camp is underway in Madison, and the early days have already put Wisconsins roster in a familiar spot for August, with competition everywhere and no shortage of jobs to sort out before the opener against Notre Dame. Wide receiver, cornerback, tight end and guard are all in play, and the Badgers are leaning on a mix of transfers and returning players as they begin to piece together the depth chart for a season that will demand answers quickly.
The most interesting part of camp is not just who is practicing, but which players are starting to separate themselves as the staff evaluates the first units and the key contributors behind them. There is a real sense that several of these battles could shape how the offense and defense look once the games count, and a few spots already have the feel of decisions that may not be settled until camp is deep into its final stretch. [Read more 🡒]