Former Paul Chryst recruits in Wisconsin football's projected two-deep entering 2025
Former Paul Chryst recruits in Wisconsin football's projected two-deep entering 2025
Wisconsin football enters the 2025 season at somewhat of a crossroads.
Third-year head coach Luke Fickell has delivered program-best recruiting outputs over the last few cycles, finishing with consecutive top-25 classes. However, the Badgers are just 12-13 overall since the start of his tenure, headlined by a 5-7 2024 campaign, the program's first non-bowl season since 2001.
The sport's current transfer era confuses the classic saying, 'Just wait until the coach gets his own players in the lineup.' Wisconsin landed 15 transfers entering the 2023 season, another 16 entering 2024 and 15 so far this offseason. Not every addition was a starter, with several not even seeing game action with the program. But the transfer numbers and annual roster turnover reflect the sport's current dynamic, where new coaches, for better or for worse, are expected to reload the team and win immediately.
In a vacuum, the Badgers appear in a strong position entering the 2025 season. Fickell overhauled the offensive side of the football, hiring coordinator Jeff Grimes and reshaping the team's quarterback room. He also rebuilt the team's front seven on defense, a unit that struggled mightily down the stretch of last season. Fickell's work during the winter transfer window could become an igniting force as he looks to lead a program resurgence.
The problem, as has been documented, is that the team will face one of the toughest schedules in college football this season. The slate includes road games at Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Indiana and Minnesota, plus home matchups against Iowa, Ohio State, Washington and Illinois. Even a return to bowl eligibility would mark a major victory.
As Wisconsin enters that 2025 campaign, it's accurate to say that Fickell finally has 'his guys' leading the program, whether transfers or high school recruits. The number of Paul Chryst-era signees continues to dwindle, with star safety Hunter Wohler, left tackle Jack Nelson, defensive linemen Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr., and others departing after the 2024 campaign.
With another offseason of roster churn, here is an updated list of Chryst recruits set to play significant roles, whether in the starting lineup or as primary reserves. If anyone is still waiting to reserve judgment on Fickell until Wisconsin's starting lineup included primarily his recruits, 2025 is that year.
(Note: While the class of 2023 was split between the two coaches, those recruits are credited to Fickell's tenure and not included on this list)
Offensive Starters
Senior wide receiver Vinny Anthony
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 735 overall player in the class, No. 105 at his position and No. 5 from the state of Kentucky
Career Stats: 35 games, 49 catches, 771 yards, four touchdowns, five carries, 36 rushing yards
Anthony is one of a few notable Chryst-era recruits in a prominent role on the offensive side of the ball. He projects as the team's leading outside receiver, looking to repeat a breakout 2024 campaign (39 catches, 672 yards, four touchdowns).
Redshirt junior left guard Joe Brunner
Recruiting Profile: Four-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 85 overall player in the class, No. 9 offensive tackle and No. 1 from the state of Wisconsin
Career Stats: 23 total appearances, 12 starts at left guard
Brunner is one of the most important players on Wisconsin's 2025 offense, especially after projected starting left tackle Kevin Heywood's injury. The former top recruit may step out to tackle if the Badgers can't find a better option. Either way, Brunner is atop the list of notable Chryst recruits still leading the team.
Right guard Kerry Kodanko
Recruiting Profile: Two-star recruit in the class of 2020. Walked-on at Wisconsin as the No. 292-ranked offensive tackle in the class and No. 41 recruit from the state of Wisconsin
Career Stats: One appearance during the 2022 season
Kodanko is reportedly emerging as one of Wisconsin's leading options at right guard, edging another Chryst recruit in J.P. Benzschawel. The veteran was a former walk-on in the class of 2020. In classic Wisconsin fashion, he could win a starting job in his sixth year with the program.
Redshirt senior right tackle Riley Mahlman
Recruiting Profile: Four-star recruit in the class of 2021. The No. 64 overall player in the class, No. 7 offensive tackle and No. 1 from the state of Minnesota
Career Stats: 32 appearances, 31 starts at right tackle
Mahlman has been a regular on the Badgers' offensive line since his redshirt freshman season in 2022. He has emerged as one of the better tackles in the Big Ten over the last two seasons and should again play a key role in 2025. Offensive line is a challenging position to overhaul in just a year or two, so it's no surprise that several Chryst recruits still lead the position.
Redshirt junior running back Cade Yacamelli
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 1,109 overall player in the class, No. 77 athlete and No. 23 from the state of Pennsylvania
Career Stats: 21 games, 69 carries, 443 yards, two touchdowns, eight receptions, 58 receiving yards
Yacamelli may not be Wisconsin's No. 1 running back, but he projects to play a prominent role, along with sophomore Darrion Dupree and redshirt freshman Dilin Jones. Yacamelli excelled in limited action last season, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. He should see an increased workload in 2025.
Defensive Starters
Redshirt senior defensive tackle Ben Barten
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2020. The No. 847 overall player in the class, No. 65 offensive tackle and No. 5 from the state of Wisconsin
Career Stats: 32 games, 39 tackles, one for loss, one sack, six pass deflections, two fumble recoveries
Barten emerged as a key piece of the Badgers' defensive line in 2024. While the program added significant talent at the position this offseason, the sixth-year senior should again play a prominent role.
Redshirt senior outside linebacker Darryl Peterson
Recruiting Profile: Four-star recruit in the class of 2021. The No. 385 overall player in the class, No. 43 linebacker and No. 11 from the state of Ohio
Career Stats: 41 games, 104 tackles, 13 for loss, 7 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery
Peterson has been a regular in Wisconsin's outside linebacker rotation for the last three seasons. Like Barten, he again projects as a key contributor, even with the program adding significant transfer talent at the position.
Redshirt senior cornerback Ricardo Hallman
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2021. The No. 647 overall player in the class, No. 53 cornerback and No. 88 from the state of Florida
Career Stats: 38 games, 60 tackles, four for loss, eight interceptions, 13 pass deflections
Hallman's return is major news for the 2025 Badgers, as the team lost significant cornerback talent to the portal during the winter window. Hallman tallied a Big Ten-high seven interceptions in 2023. He'll look to make a similar impact this season before entering the 2026 NFL draft.
Redshirt senior safety Preston Zachman
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2020. The No. 1,310 overall player in the class, No. 90 outside linebacker and No. 16 from the state of Pennsylvania
Career Stats: 32 games, 118 tackles, five for loss, five interceptions, eight pass deflections
Zachman put together terrific seasons as a starter in both 2023 and 2024. He's back for a final campaign as a leader in the team's secondary. With Wohler off to the draft, Zachman will have major shoes to fill.
Senior nickel cornerback Austin Brown
Recruiting Profile: Four-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 229 overall player in the class, No. 18 safety and No. 6 from the state of Illinois
Career Stats: 38 games, 90 tackles, three for loss, two sacks, five pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Brown had his best season to date in 2024, tallying 51 tackles, two for loss, one sack, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. He's again in line for a major role in 2025 as Wisconsin's starting nickel cornerback/hybrid safety.
Notable Depth
Redshirt senior outside linebacker Aaron Witt
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2020. The No. 693 overall player in the class, No. 31 defensive end and No. 7 from the state of Minnesota
Three-star recruit in the class of 2020. The No. 693 overall player in the class, No. 31 defensive end and No. 7 from the state of Minnesota Career Stats: 18 games, 32 tackles, seven for loss, one sack, one forced fumble
Witt enters his sixth season with the Badgers as a primary depth option at outside linebacker. He played a career-high 11 games in 2024 after missing nearly three full seasons due to injury.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr.
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 1,604 overall player in the class, No. 206 wide receiver and No. 28 from the state of Missouri
Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 1,604 overall player in the class, No. 206 wide receiver and No. 28 from the state of Missouri Career Stats: 13 games, one catch, 27 receiving yards, two special teams tackles
Brooks is set for an expanded role in 2025 after several years as a reserve wide receiver and special-teams player. He should enter the two-deep as a primary backup on the outside, behind Anthony and Jayden Ballard.
Redshirt senior guard J.P. Benzschawel
Recruiting Profile: Four-star recruit in the class of 2021. The No. 131 overall player in the class, No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 1 from the state of Wisconsin
Four-star recruit in the class of 2021. The No. 131 overall player in the class, No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 1 from the state of Wisconsin Career Stats: 27 games, all on special teams and as a reserve lineman
Benzschawel was a popular pick to start at right guard in 2025 after Joe Huber graduated. Reports out of camp indicate that Kodanko may have an inside track at the job, with Benzschawel as a primary depth option.
Redshirt junior tackle Barrett Nelson
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 545 overall player in the class, No. 28 offensive tackle and No. 7 from the state of Wisconsin
Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 545 overall player in the class, No. 28 offensive tackle and No. 7 from the state of Wisconsin Career Stats: Four games, all as a reserve lineman
If Brunner, Leyton Nelson, or an incoming transfer doesn't claim Wisconsin's vacant left tackle job, Barrett Nelson could be a candidate to step into the role. Otherwise, the redshirt junior will likely spend the season as a swing tackle, backing up Mahlman and the starting LT.
Redshirt junior tight end J.T. Seagreaves
Recruiting Profile: Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 1,288 overall player in the class, No. 77 tight end and No. 14 from the state of Wisconsin
Three-star recruit in the class of 2022. The No. 1,288 overall player in the class, No. 77 tight end and No. 14 from the state of Wisconsin Career Stats: 12 games, five receptions, 47 receiving yards
As of April 24, Seagreaves is in place as Wisconsin's primary backup tight end, behind junior Tucker Ashcraft. The team is likely to add a veteran transfer at the position, however, which would push Seagreaves into a reserve role.
Redshirt senior nickel cornerback Owen Arnett
Recruiting Profile: Walked on as an unranked recruit in the class of 2021
Walked on as an unranked recruit in the class of 2021 Career Stats: 31 games, nine total tackles
Arnett has mostly played on special teams over his four seasons with the program. After slot cornerback Max Lofy's departure, the veteran is now projected as the Badgers' backup at the position, behind senior Austin Brown
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