Spring Spotlight: Wisconsin Badgers
Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast · Ryan Satkowiak
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Show Notes
Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking Wisconsin.
After another disappointing year, the Badgers retained head coach Luke Fickell with a promise to invest more heavily in the roster. Mission accomplished -- somewhat -- with 33 incoming transfers. Much of the work was done on the defensive side of the ball. The Badges could be looking at four transfers starting in the secondary when they take on Notre Dame to begin the season, with the goal of helping bolster a pass defense that finished 62nd in yards per game against last season. The rush defense was better, but seven DL transfers come in to help offset front seven losses to the NFL and portal.
On offense, QB Colton Joseph is the latest portal add for Wisconsin and he will look to avoid the injury plague that befuddled his previous three predecessors. Joseph, from Old Dominion, was a competent passer last season -- 59.6% completion, 2,624 yards with 21 TDs to 10 INTs. But he makes plays in the running game, finishing last season with 1,007 yards and 13 TDs on the ground. Can he bring forth that running threat to the Big Ten and add another dimension to this Wisconsin offense?
He will need help, and for better or worse the Badgers will see a makeover at the skill positions in 2026. Their top four receivers from last year have departed -- they bring in three portal adds at WR with varying levels of production at varying levels of competition. Leading rusher Darrion Dupree returns, though with only 363 yards he is hardly entrenched as a starter. The Badgers also add three RBs from the portal, including 750-yard rusher Abu Sama from Iowa State. Can any of the portal adds -- or the returning players -- step up to be a go-to guy for this offense?
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