Wisconsin Badgers are reshaping their defensive front after the departure of edge rushers Mason Reiger and Darryl Peterson, both of whom exhausted their eligibility last season. Coach Matt Mitchell sees the loss not as a setback but as an opportunity to re‑engineer the outside linebackers group for the 2026 campaign.
At the heart of the revamped unit is veteran Sebastian Cheeks, who enters fall camp as the clear leader on the edge. Mitchell expects Cheeks to build on a solid junior year that yielded a 69.0 run‑defense grade and a 64.5 coverage rating from Pro Football Focus, and to convert that potential into more sacks — perhaps five or six that slipped away in the previous season.
Competing for playing time alongside Cheeks is Nick Clayton, a player who has added weight and experience to his frame. The coaching staff believes Clayton’s increased size will give him a realistic shot at earning more snaps, especially in situations that demand a heavier presence.
The roster also welcomes Micheal Garner and Arkansas transfer Justus Boone, both larger‑bodied players who can slide between defensive end and tackle depending on the opponent. Their versatility is intended to give Mitchell a menu of options rather than a single go‑to pass rusher.
A Culture of Rotation
Mitchell’s overarching philosophy is one of depth and trust. He wants a defensive scheme that can rotate players based on personnel packages and game situations, avoiding the over‑reliance on a single star that defined the previous year.
Behind Cheeks and Clayton, younger contributors such as Jaylen Williams, Tyreese Fearbry and Division III transfer Liam Danitz are slated to see meaningful snaps. Their development will be measured not just in statistics but in the ability to step in seamlessly when the rotation demands it.
If Cheeks can replicate the jump Peterson made from his junior to senior season, the Badgers could restore the pass‑rush potency that helped them compete in the Big Ten. Until then, the focus remains on building a flexible, interchangeable front that can adapt week in and week out.