The Wisconsin Badgers are set to open their season against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the composition of their offensive line will be closely watched after a series of injuries and roster moves.
Key Line Changes and Player Availability
Star offensive lineman Kevin Heywood is expected to start at right tackle, having cleared the medical hurdles that kept him sidelined for the past month after an injury sustained during fall camp’s second practice. Head coach Luke Fickell, who initially hesitated to confirm Heywood’s readiness, has now cleared the necessary thresholds for him to take the field.
Lucas Simmons-Johansson, who has been rotating in at left tackle since fall camp, will continue to fill in at left tackle, providing stability on the opposite side of the line.
Emerson Mandell, still recovering from offseason foot surgery, has been ruled out for the Week 1 matchup, though his rehabilitation is progressing and he is projected to return in subsequent games.
Transfer players Stylz Blackmon and Blake Cherry are among the options for the right guard position, adding depth and experience to the Badgers’ interior line as they prepare for a demanding test against Notre Dame’s defense.
After the Notre Dame showdown, the Badgers will travel to face Western Illinois and then host Eastern Michigan in the following two weeks, a stretch that will further evaluate the resilience of their revamped offensive line.