Part of the fun of college football is that every roster is packed with stories waiting to break out. Wisconsin is no different. Most fans already know the names expected to carry the load in Madison this fall, but there are also a few lesser-known players who could force their way into the conversation during Luke Fickell’s fourth season.
One of the most interesting is redshirt junior Nolan Vils. Wisconsin’s defensive line already has a strong mix at the top of the room, with transfers Hammond Russell IV and Junior Poyser joining home-grown pieces Charles Perkins and Dillan Johnson.
Even so, the Badgers’ ability to keep fresh, massive bodies rotating through the line was a big part of what made that unit so effective last season, and Vils looks like a player pushing to get in that mix. The former walk-on has reportedly taken a big step forward this offseason, and defensive line coach EJ Whitlow had plenty to say about that this spring: “Nolan Vils has really worked his ass off.
Coming from a guy that was a walk-on, he’s really put in the time. He’s changed his body.
He’s got himself over 300 pounds. He’s worked in the offseason as far as increasing his foot speed.
But he plays the game the right way, too. He plays with a nastiness, he plays with an edge to him, which at the end of the day, that’s what it takes inside," he said this spring.
Wisconsin used four main defensive linemen in a steady rotation last fall, and Vils seems to be making a case for reps despite sitting farther down the depth chart.
Another name to know is cornerback Hackett, who might have been the quietest addition Wisconsin made all offseason. He’s a veteran with stops at the JUCO level, UNLV and FCS Youngstown State, and he arrived in Madison with almost no buzz.
The signing still hasn’t been officially announced. Hackett, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, entered the portal in January and took his time before choosing a school.
Illinois and Maryland both hosted him, and he also drew interest from LSU, Florida and Mississippi State. In the end, Wisconsin appears to have landed him to add depth to an already promising cornerback group.
Right now, that’s the role he seems headed for. But if the position takes any hits from attrition, the Badgers could lean on a player who has logged far more college snaps than younger corners like Jai'mier Scott, Cai Bates and Bryce West.
Then there’s freshman walk-on Mikonowicz, which is about as deep a sleeper as you’ll find. The Reedsburg, Wisconsin native set a school track record while qualifying for the state meet, running a 10.59 in the 100-meter.
That alone stands out. Add in a listed frame of 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, an alleged 6-foot-4 wingspan and some strong but unconfirmed weight-room numbers, and he becomes even more intriguing.
No one is saying he’s about to crack the defense, but his size and speed could give him a real shot to carve out a special teams role this fall. He may not become a household name, but he could absolutely become one of those walk-ons who earns his keep in a meaningful way.
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Three Badgers Already Turning Heads In Greg Gards New Mix
Greg Gard opened summer workouts with two media-access practices in July, and the early look offered a first glimpse at how Wisconsins reshaped roster is starting to come together. With eight newcomers in the mix, the Badgers spent the first stretch of the summer sorting through new combinations, and the open sessions gave a few of the fresh faces a chance to show why they were brought in.
Among the players drawing attention were Victory Onuetu, Will Garlock and Eian Elmer, three newcomers who looked comfortable enough to stand out in different ways. For Wisconsin, the encouraging part is not just that the Badgers have new bodies to work with, but that some of them are already flashing the kind of size, activity and versatility Gard needs as he adjusts to the departures from last season and figures out how this group will fit together. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins 2026-27 Hopes May Hinge On One Portal Gamble
Wisconsins offseason has already forced a recalibration after key departures, with the Badgers losing important backcourt production and looking to a mix of veterans, freshmen and portal additions to keep the roster balanced. Nolan Winter and Austin Rapp are back to provide some continuity, while the incoming group includes Trey Autry, Victory Onuetu and Eian Elmer, giving the staff a chance to patch several holes at once.
The biggest question is whether the new pieces can replace the scoring punch that left with the exits, especially on the wing, where Wisconsin needs someone to step in quickly and create offense. Elmer arrives from Miami-Ohio with the kind of rsum that suggests he can help right away, and if the Badgers are going to stay on track for 2026-27, this is the kind of portal swing that could end up mattering more than any other move they made. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Just Entered A Recruiting Fight Badgers Fans Know Too Well
The early recruiting chase for Ian Thomas is already turning into the kind of battle Wisconsin fans know can stretch out for a while. The 2028 running back from Tomball, Texas, has piled up nearly two dozen scholarship offers, and Wisconsin was among the first programs to get him on campus when he visited during Buckys Barbecue, giving the Badgers an early foothold in a crowded race.
Oklahoma is now working to set up its own visit, a move that could reshape the pecking order if it comes together. With Thomas drawing attention from multiple major programs this early, Wisconsins task is less about making a first impression and more about turning that initial trip into something lasting before the next wave of contenders gets its chance. [Read more 🡒]