The University of Wisconsin’s football program entered the offseason with a clear priority: shoring up a line that had been exposed in the 2025 campaign.
Veteran Austin Kawecki, a fifth‑year player who started every game at Oklahoma State before joining Madison, has been positioned as the starting center, offering a plug‑and‑play solution for the Badgers.
Behind him, second‑string center Ryan Cory has shown measurable growth under offensive line coach Eric Mateos, who notes an uptick in Cory’s football IQ and execution, though his snapping mechanics remain inconsistent.
Adjustments in the Trenches
Mateos has experimented with Cory’s grip, encouraging a more vertical hold to curb wrist flicking, a tweak that could translate into cleaner snaps during games.
Despite the progress, Cory admits the motion still feels unnatural in live action, leaving the team wary of a potential drop‑off if Kawecki were to miss time.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has repeatedly emphasized the snapper’s role in preserving the rhythm of Wisconsin’s dynamic playbook, making the position a focal point of spring drills.
The broader concern reflects a league‑wide issue: depth at the offensive line remains a recurring challenge, and the Badgers are no exception as they prepare for the 2026 season.