Wisconsin’s staff has been in motion since Luke Fickell arrived in 2023, but one of the clearest wins in all that turnover has been the rise of Tuf Borland.
Borland, who came to the Badgers as a graduate assistant in 2023, has climbed quickly and now handles the inside linebackers after Mike Tressel shifted to serving only as defensive coordinator. That puts Borland in charge of a room that includes Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, two of the defense’s standout players.
The former Ohio State linebacker has wasted no time making the jump from player to coach. 247Sports placed him among its Top 30 coaches under 30, with Chris Hummer pointing to how fast Borland has become a factor on the Wisconsin sideline.
“A standout linebacker at Ohio State from 2016-20, Borland has quickly emerged as an impact coach in his post-playing career,” 247Sports’s Chris Hummer wrote. “He joined Wisconsin’s staff as a graduate assistant in 2023 and was promoted as the full-time inside linebackers coach this offseason.
“Borland was the program’s assistant linebackers coach last season - defensive coordinator Mike Tressel had the full-time job - and helped coach two of the best players on the defense, Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, in 2025. Wisconsin promoted Borland for a reason. Said one program source of him: ‘He’s a really good young coach.’”
Wisconsin also had another name show up on the list in former general manager Max Stienecker, who is now the Executive Director of Player Personnel at USC. Stienecker, 26, has become a familiar presence in this kind of ranking.
“Stienecker was the Power Four’s youngest general manager in 2024 with Wisconsin. He played a big role in helping USC land the No. 1 overall recruiting class during the 2026 cycle.”
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Wisconsins 2027 Class Just Gave Greg Gard A Real Recruiting Win
Wisconsins 2027 recruiting class is already starting to look like something worth paying attention to, and it began with a trio of commitments that gives Greg Gard and his staff real momentum. Guard Jalen Brown, wing Baboucarr Ann and center Jack Thelen have all chosen the Badgers, giving the program a balanced early foundation with talent spread across the backcourt, perimeter and front line.
Brown arrives as the No. 68 recruit nationally and No. 4 prospect in Wisconsin, while Ann comes in as Minnesotas top-ranked player with national recognition from multiple services. Thelens rise has been just as notable, with the big man now a four-star recruit and No. 2 in Minnesota, and together the three pledges have put Wisconsin in position to build a class that could hold up well as the cycle continues. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Still Has 3 Depth Chart Questions That Matter For Notre Dame
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Nolan Vils has also worked his way into the conversation on the defensive line, where he looks like a candidate to be part of the rotation. Tight end is another spot worth watching, with the group expected to go four deep and Emmett Bork and Davis still in a tight fight for the final role, leaving one of Wisconsins more interesting roster decisions hanging as Notre Dame approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins 2027 Class Just Added Another Reason For Real Optimism
Wisconsins 2027 recruiting class already had the look of something worth watching, and Jack Thelens recent rise only adds to that sense. The Badgers now have three commits in the group, and Thelens jump to No. 120 nationally along with a four-star rating from 247Sports gives the class a stronger national profile than it had before.
Thelens stock has climbed because of what he has shown during summer play, especially on the defensive end and in the way he has started to lead. For a program that has built plenty of its identity on development, that kind of progress matters, and it gives Wisconsin another promising piece alongside Jalen Brown and Baboucarr Ann as the class continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]