Kevin Heywood, a standout offensive lineman, is poised to anchor Wisconsin’s line for the 2026 season, bringing experience and physicality to a unit that has been reshaped by a wave of transfers.
A crucial offseason for the Badgers
Since January the program has added 35 players through the transfer portal and secured all 13 scholarship recruits during the early signing period, a recruitment surge that sets the stage for a competitive roster.
Practice will officially begin on Thursday in Madison, where the team will start integrating the new arrivals with the returning core.
Among those returning, seven offensive players have caught the attention of the Badger Observer, which is previewing their potential to influence the offense.
Coach Luke Fickell, now in his fourth year, is counting on that group to help turn around a program that finished the previous season 4‑8, giving the team a chance to redefine its trajectory.
Looking ahead
If the newcomers can mesh quickly and the holdovers maintain their development, Wisconsin could see a marked improvement when the new campaign kicks off, making the 2026 season one of the most anticipated in recent memory.