Wisconsin Badgers: 2025 Class Freshman Linebacker Fighting to Earn Early Playing Time

With one freshman linebacker scheduled to play for the Wisconsin Badgers during the upcoming season, another looks to secure his spot.

Mason Posa, a former four-star linebacker in the 2025 class, signed on with the Badgers as the 171st overall recruit in the class. At the time of the signing, many fans and analysts alike felt the recruit could find his way onto the field as a true freshman, but the exact role was unknown. Fast forward a few months, and Posa has nearly done exactly that.

The linebacker has been both one of the more consistent and more successful players on the field since joining the program. The Wisconsin Badgers staff has been thoroughly impressed with the intelligence and maturity of Posa on the field and feel the linebacker is consistently in the right spot on the field. With the season closer than ever, the linebacker still must prove himself one last time in order to secure playing time as the staff begins to shift towards game week preparations.

Wisconsin Badgers Linebacker Mason Posa Impressing Staff as Playing Time Begins to Dwindle Down

While Posa has been impressive throughout all camps thus far, the linebacker arguably put together his best football to date with the program in Platteville. The performances of Posa and his willingness to learn from other players and the coaching staff has led Tressel to consider playing the linebacker during the upcoming season.

The only issue, however, is playing time is limited and the Badgers do not exactly have a lot left to go around. Fellow 2025 class freshman Cooper Catalano is also on track to play this upcoming season and is tentatively considered to be the backup to Tackett Curtis in the middle. Posa, who is also a middle linebacker, has been primarily battling Catalano for the remaining mike position.

Another player to consider is Thomas Heiberger, who Tressel mentioned is a capable mike linebacker and also someone who was on track to play last season. Heiberger was scheduled to serve in a similar role to Catalano, but suffered a lower body injury during camp that kept him out for most of the season.