Kevin Heywood’s path to Wisconsin’s starting lineup has been anything but smooth, but the Badgers are finally about to find out what they have in one of their most gifted linemen.
A consensus four-star recruit in Wisconsin’s loaded 2024 class, Heywood arrived in Madison with serious buzz. He was rated as a top-five offensive tackle nationally, ranked No. 50 overall by 247Sports and No. 60 by On3/Rivals. The Pennsylvania native is now in his third year in the program, and after spending 2024 on special teams while picking up a few offensive line snaps, he was set to take over the blindside job in 2025 before a torn ACL in spring camp wiped out his season.
Since then, the early signs have been encouraging. Luke Fickell said this spring, “The best thing that Kev did, he didn’t wait until the offseason," and added that he's “already established himself as a leader."
New offensive line coach Eric Mateos wasn’t shocked by the quick turnaround either. “It’s not that surprising," he said of Heywood's recovery.
"It’s modern medicine. They got medicine that can make me skinny.
I’m not surprised he’s back. He had very minimal limitations in his offseason training with Brady (Collins).”
Heywood himself said the rehab process became a daily grind. “When I got injured, I really just put the goal in my end to be involved in practice before the end of the season.
I think all the trainers and all the strength staff were on the same page with me with that. We just grinded every day.
I got smarter in the film room. Really, I think if I really wanted to go I could’ve went the last couple games," Heywood said.
Now he’s back in position to make the impact Wisconsin has been waiting for. Heywood is lined up as the Badgers’ starting right tackle, with Ole Miss transfer PJ Wilkins on the blindside. At 6-foot-9 and 318 pounds, he looks every bit the part of a potential NFL tackle, and maybe Wisconsin’s best pro prospect on the roster.
The big question is health, and so far there’s no sign of lingering issues. He wasn’t physically limited in spring ball, which matters after a lost season and a major knee injury. If he stays on the field, the ceiling is obvious: a dominant run through the Big Ten, steady growth under Mateos, and a real chance to hear his name called by the NFL by season’s end.
Mateos believes the technical side is coming along, too. “He’s done a nice job of learning how to play square and be efficient with his feet.
When we started, we struggled a bit with being under control in our technique. He’s done a nice job of learning how to play within himself," Mateos said.
There’s still some room for refinement, and a slower start wouldn’t be a surprise, especially with Notre Dame waiting in Week 1. But Wisconsin has options now, unlike last fall. Florida State transfer Lucas Simmons-Johansson is the first tackle off the bench, and if Heywood ever does stumble, the staff could even consider moving him to the left side, where Heywood said this spring he feels more natural.
For now, though, the Badgers are betting on upside. Heywood has the size, the talent and the runway to become one of the Big Ten’s most reliable tackles this fall. If everything clicks, he could be one of the best players on the team.
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