Latest news with #Fickell
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit begins June with notable SEC official visit
Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit begins June with notable SEC official visit Wisconsin football class of 2026 commit, defensive lineman Carmelow Reed, is taking an official visit to Ole Miss this weekend, according to Rivals' Adam Gorney. The 6-foot-7 defensive lineman committed to the Badgers on April 7, immediately becoming the highest-rated recruit in their class of 2026. 247Sports ranks the Olympia Fields, Illinois, product as the No. 531 overall player in the class of 2026, the No. 63 defensive lineman and the No. 13 player from his home state. Notably, Reed chose the Badgers over other offers from LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri and Ole Miss. He is one of several players scheduled to visit Madison the weekend of June 6. Before making that trip, he began his official visit schedule with a notable SEC trip. As a junior with Olympia Fields, Reed logged 33 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery in eight games. As of May 30, he is Wisconsin's sole defensive line commit for the class of 2026. That class currently ranks No. 44 in the nation with seven players committed. If Reed were to decommit and head to Ole Miss, the class' ranking would drop substantially. Furthermore, the defensive front seven is a position group of significance for Luke Fickell, as he has honed in on top targets including McHale Blade, Kobe Cherry, Djidjou Bah, Arthur Scott, and Jermaine Polk. Wisconsin is in search of its third straight recruiting finish in the top 25, something Fickell leaned into when he assumed head coaching responsibilities in 2022. Given his team's 5-7 finish a season ago, offseason coaching changes and a new offensive system, Fickell and his staff may need to work harder to sell the program as a top destination. As of May 30, Reed remains a Badger. His status is one to monitor in the coming weeks. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football reveals start times, TV information for 2025 nonconference schedule
Wisconsin football reveals start times, TV information for 2025 nonconference schedule Wisconsin football released start times and television information for the first three games of its 2025 season on Thursday. UW's first contest of the 2025 slate is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 28, against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Wisconsin's second bout, a home matchup against Middle Tennessee, is set to commence at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 6, on Fox Sports 1. A week later, Luke Fickell's program will square off against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at 11:00 a.m. CT. That nationally-televised game will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC. The opener vs. the RedHawks marks the sixth time in the last eight seasons that UW will start its season with a night game. The program did so in 2024, securing a 28-14 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos in Madison. Most notably, the third contest of the season is a rematch of the Badgers' 2024 defeat at the hands of the Crimson Tide at Camp Randall. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe captained his squad to a 42-10 blowout victory. Other marquee battles, including at Michigan on Oct. 4, vs. Ohio State on Oct. 18, at Oregon on Oct. 25 and at Indiana on Nov. 15, have yet to receive a start time or television designation. Wisconsin went 5-7 in 2024 in the second full season under Fickell. The team recorded wins over Western Michigan, South Dakota, Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern. The disappointing output prompted UW's brass to relieve former offensive coordinator Phil Longo of his duties in November. The program then signed former Kansas OC Jeff Grimes following the season's end. With former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. now poised to start at quarterback for Grimes and Fickell, Wisconsin will work towards rediscovering its traditional identity on offense. That journey begins against the RedHawks at 8:00 p.m. CT on Aug. 28 at Camp Randall. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Wisconsin's Luke Fickell falls in new USA TODAY Big Ten football head coach ranking
Where Wisconsin's Luke Fickell falls in new USA TODAY Big Ten football head coach ranking It's tough to gauge Wisconsin football's place in the Big Ten landscape entering the 2025 season. On one hand, the program was one of the conference's more consistent winners for nearly three decades. On the other hand, its current iteration appears far from that steady winner. Wisconsin's overall slip in performance is retroactive to 2020, when the team finished 4-3, headlined by disappointing losses to Iowa, Indiana and Northwestern. While it responded well with a 9-4 finish in 2021, it has since taken several backward steps in the final standings -- 7-6 in 2022 and 2023, then 5-7 in 2024. Luke Fickell, one of the hottest names in the coaching profession at the time of his hire, was brought in to reverse that trajectory. Instead, the team is just 12-13 in two years under his leadership. Those years have seen an acceleration of the previous downward trend, including the mentioned bowl-less 2024 campaign. That disappointing performance has seen much of the shine come off Fickell's hire. Entering 2025, there is a growing question surrounding the program's direction with him at the helm. That is a perspective from within the Wisconsin ecosystem. For a glimpse at how Fickell is viewed nationally, he sits down at No. 11 in USA TODAY's Paul Myerberg's latest Big Ten football head coach ranking. Here's Myerberg's perspective: Like [Lincoln] Riley, Fickell has struggled since joining the Big Ten with major fanfare. After turning Cincinnati into a Group of Five powerhouse and reaching the College Football Playoff, Fickell has gone 12-13 in two full seasons with the Badgers, including last year's team ending a run of 22 consecutive bowl appearances with the program's first losing record since 2001. His missteps since arriving in Madison, notably at quarterback, makes this a huge season for Fickell's future. Fickell's No. 11 placement lines up with where he slots in our Big Ten football head coach ranking from early February. After Wisconsin closed the 2024 season on a five-game losing streak, including losses to all three of the team's top rivals, it's hard to argue anything different entering 2025. The bigger question is, what should be considered a success for Fickell and the Badgers this upcoming season? The team appears improved on both sides of the football, although it is set to face one of the toughest schedules in the sport. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where do the Badgers go after losing key starter to torn ACL?
The Wisconsin Badgers faced some difficult news on Tuesday, as head coach Luke Fickell announced that starting left tackle Kevin Heywood will 'probably' be out for the season after tearing his ACL. 'Obviously, I think he's gonna have to have surgery,' Fickell said about Heywood. 'We're probably going to lose him and probably not going to get him back obviously, even for the season. So that was one that's going to be really difficult and tough, but, it's also a part of the game.' Advertisement The news deals a huge blow to Wisconsin's offensive line, which went injury-free in 2024 and was the biggest key to the offense. Heywood was expected to spell multi-year starter Jack Nelson as the blindside protector, and was one of the Badgers' most heralded recruits in their 2024 recruiting class. However, he's expected to miss the season, leaving the Badgers scrambling in the middle of spring ball, as they're now thinner on the offensive line, especially at tackle. 'As we came out today, it was a little bit less emotion and energy than I wanted,' Fickell said. 'And we actually ended a little bit early just because the sheer fact of, you know, we weren't going to go a two-minute situation there at the end. It's just as you start to get a little bit thin up front on the offensive line. 'But we got to continue... This is a grown man's league and we got to prepare and practice like grow men. And I know that's hard.' Advertisement Wisconsin is now in uncharted territory, which means reserves will have to step up into bigger roles. Who are some of the names that are poised for bigger roles? 'We've been fortunate up front in the last two seasons to have those guys prepared and be able to last through the season,' Fickell said about the offensive line. 'Now, we got to have to figure out how we're going to manage some of that and move some guys around and expect some other guys to step up, whether it's Leyton Nelson and Emerson Mandel, and guys like that that got to step in.' Nelson has been the swing tackle in camp, even taking reps with the first-team offense to spell one of the starting tackles at times this spring. He took first-team reps at left tackle on Tuesday with Heywood out. Advertisement Mandel, on the other hand, has been competing at right guard, and could end up as Wisconsin's starter at the position if he wins the battle over J.P. Benzschawel and Kerry Kodanko. Wisconsin also could turn to other options, such as moving Joe Brunner to left tackle or even Riley Mahlman over to the left side. But, there is a difficulty with making such a change, which is why Fickell is hoping that other players step up into a bigger role. 'There's plenty of ability to move right now in where we are offensively and what we want to continue to do,' Fickell said when asked about the possibility of moving Mahlman or Brunner over. 'It's really difficult to do that even [with] a Riley [Mahlman] or a Joe [Brunner] at this moment. 'Like, we have to give other guys opportunities to step up. You know, they've been here for a while. They deserve, you know, that chance and that opportunity. And then as we get into the summer, we'll figure out how we're going to be able to fit that and what's going to be best for us because, you got a lot of time to get guys into positions. To me, it's still about understanding the hole and making sure we're not taking a step backwards when you have injuries. So we'll move forward.' Advertisement The Badgers had a number of questions entering the spring with their new-look roster and a tough schedule ahead of them in 2025. Now, they've got one more added to the mix and it's a big one with the loss of Heywood, likely for the season. More from
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
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 Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
