Wisconsin updated 2025 offensive depth chart with transfer tight end Lance Mason

USA Today

26-04-2025

Wisconsin updated 2025 offensive depth chart with transfer tight end Lance Mason
Wisconsin football made a notable addition to its offensive depth chart on Friday, landing Missouri State transfer tight end Lance Mason.
Mason joins the program with a final year of eligibility remaining. He is set to fill the vacant starting tight end role. Ball State transfer Tanner Koziol previously held that position after joining the program during the winter window, although he recently reentered the portal and committed to Houston.
The Badgers notably edged the Oklahoma Sooners for Mason's commitment. The rising senior was one of the portal's top uncommitted players at his position, following a breakout 2024 campaign that included a Football Championship Subdivision-leading 590 receiving yards, 17.4 yards per reception and six touchdowns.
While translating FCS production to the Big Ten level is never a guarantee, it's easy to project Mason to have a sizable impact in new coordinator Jeff Grimes' unit. The 6-foot-4 tight end should give the program the receiving threat at the position that it's lacked since Jake Ferguson left for the NFL.
For more on how the Badgers' offense lines up after Mason's commitment, here is an updated projection of the unit's two-deep:
Quarterback
Starter: Billy Edwards Jr. (transfer)
Backup: Danny O'Neil (transfer)
'Transfer' is a major word to note at the quarterback position. Wisconsin completely remade its QB room this offseason, landing a veteran in Edwards, a rising sophomore in O'Neil, FCS transfer Hunter Simmons and top high school prospect Carter Smith. Edwards is the clear starter after a strong 2024 season at Maryland. Hopefully, the Badgers don't need to utilize their newfound depth at the position.
Running Back
Starters: Cade Yacamelli OR Darrion Dupree
Backup: Dilin Jones
Wisconsin has three primary candidates to lead its backfield in 2025. Yacamelli is a popular breakout pick after averaging 8.3 yards per carry in limited action last season. Rising sophomore Dupree should also see increased production with a larger workload. The room's wild card is Jones, who is emerging as a major factor as only a redshirt freshman.
Wide Receiver (1)
Starter: Vinny Anthony
Backup: Chris Brooks Jr.
Anthony will look to build upon his breakout 2024 campaign, during which he led the team in receiving with 672 yards and four scores. Brooks is a player to watch at the position after playing a depth role for each of the last three seasons.
Wide Receiver (2)
Starter: Jayden Ballard
Backup: Joseph Griffin Jr. OR Tyrell Henry
Ballard was a major spring standout after transferring to Wisconsin from Ohio State this winter. Griffin and Henry will each get a chance to win snaps after transferring in from Boston College and Michigan State, respectively, last offseason. Griffin, a 6-foot-4 red-zone threat, is a player to watch after being ruled ineligible last season.
Wide Receiver (slot)
Starter: Trech Kekahuna
Backup: Kyan Berry-Johnson
Kekahuna's return from the portal was major news for the 2025 Badgers. He has excelled when given an opportunity to play, although those chances were limited last season with Will Pauling starting in the slot. He should be a popular breakout pick entering the season.
Tight End
Starter: Lance Mason (transfer)
Backup: Tucker Ashcraft
Mason is a write-in at starting tight end after a fantastic 2024 season at Missouri State. None should be surprised if he becomes the first Badger tight end to surpass 150 receiving yards since Ferguson did so for four straight seasons from 2018-21. Ashcraft should also play significant snaps in Grimes' multi-tight-end scheme.
Right Tackle
Starter: Riley Mahlman
Backup: Barrett Nelson
From our updated offensive line depth chart after left tackle Kevin Heywood's injury:
Mahlman is set to anchor the right side of the Badgers' offensive line for the third consecutive season. He could be a candidate to flip to the left side, though that would be a risky move, given his proven ability and production in his current position. It goes without saying that the team cannot afford an injury in this position, given Heywood's status.
Right Guard
Starter: Kerry Kodanko
Backup: J.P. Benzschawel
From our updated offensive line depth chart:
Wisconsin's right guard position will be a fall camp battle to watch. J.P. Benzschawel was the projected starter through much of the offseason, though Kodanko has reportedly been earning significant reps in spring practice. Emerson Mandell also worked at this position, though he may move out to left tackle after Heywood's injury.
Center
Starter: Jake Renfro
Backup: Ryan Cory
From our updated offensive line depth chart:
Renfro returns after starting 12 games for the Badgers last season. The veteran also has a season of high-end experience at Cincinnati under Luke Fickell. While there are some questions across the line, the center position should be set.
Left Guard
Starter: Joe Brunner
Backup: Colin Cubberly
From our updated offensive line depth chart:
Brunner started all 12 games at left guard in 2024. While he battled minor injuries throughout the campaign, he was part of a starting offensive line unit that remained intact all season. Per UW Athletics, his 77.8 PFF pass-blocking grade was the third-highest among Big Ten guards. He projects as one of the team's best linemen entering 2025
Of note, Brunner spent some time at left tackle during spring practice. He remains a candidate to fill that vacancy.
Left Tackle
Starter: Leyton Nelson
Backup: Emerson Mandell
From our updated offensive line depth chart:
Nelson transferred in last offseason after two seasons at Vanderbilt, during which he appeared in 12 total games. He then missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury. The veteran was projected as a versatile depth piece on the 2025 line. Now, he has the inside track at starting
These positions are still subject to change with spring transfer additions. Left tackle is the primary position to watch, although the available starting options in the portal are extremely limited at this late stage in the cycle.
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