Wisconsin Badgers: Four Big Depth Chart Surprises Following Official 2025 Release

Wisconsin Badgers Defensive Line Set to be Led by Ben Barten After Successful Camp Season

Wisconsin added multiple players along the defensive line through the transfer portal including Jay’viar Suggs, Parker Petersen, and Charles Perkins. However, perhaps the most impressive player throughout camp has been Ben Barten, a veteran of the Wisconsin Badgers program and a key part of the defensive line production a season ago.

Barten and the defensive line unit may have not displayed the greatest play last season, but the work has certainly been put in. The defensive lineman looks both quicker off the line and more powerful in his pushes which should help the defense create plenty of chaos.

Barten will be the main starting defensive lineman alongside Suggs, but the line will see a fair amount of substitutions depending on the situation and packages shown by the offense. Watching the defensive lineman step up to the plate despite having plenty of competition added to the room is a sign the Badgers have the right personnel on the roster.

Chris Brooks Jr. Could be the Receiver Who Finds the Most Success During 2025

In the new Jeff Grimes offense the Wisconsin Badgers need a combination of big, physical blocking receivers and speedy players who can get to the outside in a moments notice. Chris Brooks Jr. possesses solid speed, but could find his true home within the new Grimes offense as a do-it-all receiver.

Grimes previously noted that the blocking ability of Brooks Jr. has been one of the main reasons the receiver continues to find himself taking meaningful snaps in practice. Brooks Jr. is scheduled to now be a starter for the Badgers, largely due to his acceptance of the role and willingness to work at becoming the best receiver he can be within the system.

Brooks Jr. also had plenty of tough competition throughout camp with transfer Jayden Ballard joining the program during the off-season. Ballard was originally thought to be an instant starter, but the resilience Brooks Jr. and his effort both on and off of the field truly impressed the staff.

Danny O’Neil Locks Down Backup Role After Tough Competition Against Hunter Simmons

O’Neil joined the Badgers as the player who the program expected to become the backup quarterback, and for many O’Neil locking down the role is not notable. However, considering what has occurred the past two seasons in a row involving the backup quarterback being forced to play, having a competition for the backup slot was likely a good decision.

Even if O’Neil was essentially guaranteed the role from the start, watching his performance throughout camp steadily improve was a great sign for the future. Retention is everything now in college football, but O’Neil seems more comfortable in the pocket with Wisconsin and could be a dynamic player for the program next season.

Wisconsin Badgers 2025 Recruiting Class Could Provide Much-Needed Depth Across the Board

Last season, the only true freshman who earned a spot in the two-deep depth chart were Xavier Lucas and Kevin Heywood. Lucas has since left the program while the Badgers have added plenty of depth along the line, which could potentially bury Heywood during the season.

However, the 2025 class could be the class that helps redefine the tenure of head coach Luke Fickell with the talent and intelligence that has been on display early. Currently Wisconsin has the following freshman listed in the initial depth chart: Eugene Hilton Jr., Cooper Catalano, Mason Posa, Jaimier Scott, and Cairo Skanes.

Posa and Catalano are both expected to play significant time at linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers this season. Scott and Skanes have both stepped up as of late along with other names in the secondary in the wake of Nyzier Fourqurean being forced to sit out. Both the mentality and the skill level of the players Wisconsin added through the 2025 class could be exactly what the program needs.