Wisconsin football fall camp musings: offensive news and notes
Breaking down the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense position by position coming out of fall camp as the team gears up for the 2025 season.
Fall camp is in the books, the media access has wrapped, and now it’s on to game prep for Miami (OH). On Thursday, Aug. 28, Wisconsin football will officially take the field for its season opener at Camp Randall Stadium.
When head coach Luke Fickell was asked if he felt Wisconsin was in a good place coming out of training camp, he didn’t talk about scheme or depth charts. Instead, his answer pointed to something bigger.
"You know what? I do believe so. I think that there's some depth,” Fickell said. “And I don't mean depth as in, hey, the defensive line's got some depth. I mean, I think there's some depth in who we are and what we are, that's a little stronger than it has been. And I think for us, that's a really important factor. How good are we? We've got to go out and play and see, but I do feel like there's this complementary program where guys really understand what the expectations are like, not just on the football field, but in how they're doing everything, and how everything ties together."
That’s the foundation. But before the Badgers can prove it on Saturdays, the next step is figuring out what the roster actually looks like after three-plus weeks of camp. With that in mind, here’s a position-by-position look at the offense and what we’ve learned heading into the 2025 season.
Quarterbacks
Billy Edwards Jr. may not have been the flashiest name available in the transfer portal, but from my perspective, he was unequivocally the right guy for the Wisconsin Badgers. He arrived with meaningful Big Ten experience at Maryland, and in just one offseason, he’s proven why this program made such a significant investment in him as a one-year answer.
"I've said this about Billy a lot, and probably everybody has, but his preparation and his willingness to study and be ready for every single day is phenomenal, maybe the best I've been around," Jeff Grimes said.
"He allows us to be as multiple as we are. You guys watch us practice, and you see the multiple formations and shifts and motions, and you see the quarterback directing things at the line of scrimmage. That takes a lot of work, and we wouldn't be able to do the things we're doing in terms of pure volume schematically if we didn't have a guy like him."
Edwards has shown the kind of preparedness you love to see. He’s worked to build relationships, buy into the culture, and make sure guys are lined up correctly in Grimes’ new offense. He might not be a gamebreaker, but he’s more than a game manager. Edwards brings enough arm strength to make all the throws when needed, plus a layer of mobility that allows Wisconsin to sneak in some playmaking opportunities.
In short, he doesn’t have to post eye-popping stats to have a real impact on this offense.
Behind him, the competition for the backup quarterback job has been a storyline. Danny O’Neil, who started a full season at San Diego State, offers leadership and the ability to extend plays when things break down. He’s mobile enough to keep defenses honest, and while he hasn’t run away with the job, he still looks like the insurance policy they hoped for.
Then there’s Hunter Simmons, a spring transfer brought in largely due to his connection with assistant wide receivers coach Blake Rolan. Initially expected to be a depth piece, Simmons has outperformed expectations and turned this into a legitimate competition. That’s not a bad thing, it’s the classic “iron sharpens iron” dynamic, and it’s made the room better.
Of course, if it comes down to either O’Neil or Simmons playing meaningful snaps, that’s not ideal given the schedule Wisconsin is about to face. But the fact that there’s competition at all shows growth in a room that badly needed depth after losing all of their scholarship quarterbacks to the portal. And don’t forget about Carter Smith waiting in the wings as a developmental piece under quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton.
All told, Wisconsin is in a healthier spot at quarterback than they were a year ago. The biggest question will always be health, but Edwards feels like the right fit at the right time for a program that desperately needs stability under center. He gives this team a chance to start building back toward the standard that Badgers fans are more accustomed to.
Running Backs
A Grimes-led offense always starts with running the football. It’s not just philosophy, it’s about functionality because the ground game is what unlocks everything else. If Wisconsin wants to challenge teams vertically, it first has to establish the ability to run between the tackles.
And the good news is, the Badgers have every reason to feel confident about where this room stands.
Dilin Jones has stepped firmly into the role of workhorse running back. After a quiet freshman season where he carried just 16 times for 88 yards, Jones has emerged as the true No. 1 option. He looks like a natural fit in Grimes’ wide-zone scheme, showing patience, explosiveness, and the kind of physicality this offense requires. He can put his shoulder into defenders, run through contact, and still has enough burst to rip off chunk plays. Retaining Jones this offseason was one of the staff’s biggest wins, because he’ll likely shoulder the lion’s share of carries this season.
Behind him, Darrion Dupree provides a versatile counterpunch. A year of experience under his belt has made him a tougher, more physical runner, but his value comes from the different ways he can be deployed. Dupree can motion into the slot, take jet sweeps, or serve as a pass-catching option — very similar to the way he was utilized in high school. He gives Wisconsin a dynamic change of pace that complements Jones perfectly.
Then there’s Cade Yacamelli, who just hasn’t gone away. He’s the classic program guy: stuck it out, put in the work, and earned the respect of this locker room. He’s a freak athlete with the speed to hit home runs and enough toughness to run inside. Expect him to get touches in specific packages and, more importantly, provide dependable depth if injuries crop up, because you can rarely endure a season with just two guys.
“All three of those guys have shown that they deserve roles and will get opportunities as we get closer to game planning,” Grimes said. “There will be certain plays designed for this guy or that guy. But as you all know, you don't go through a season, especially if you play this style of offense, with all those running backs healthy all the time. So I suppose at some point we'll be rotating two and then maybe get another one back, and we'll see where it goes from there. But to start with, we'll play all three.”
Even beyond that, you’ve got Gideon Ituka, who sometimes gets overlooked as the third scholarship back taken in the 2024 recruiting class. He’s made noticeable strides and brings a different build and power profile to the group. In another year, Ituka might be a steady No. 3 option who rotates in or even a preferred backup if the portal guts them. In this room, he’s depth, which says a lot about how strong the unit is overall.
At the end of the day, expect two backs to get the majority of touches, with a third sprinkled in situationally. That’s the reality of managing reps in a talented but crowded room. Still, the bigger picture here is clear: Wisconsin is well-positioned to take a big step forward in the run game this fall, and that starts with Jones and Dupree leading the way.
Wide Receivers
Coming out of fall camp, the picture at receiver is starting to take shape.
Vinny Anthony, last year’s leading pass-catcher, looks locked in as the No. 1 option on the outside. Opposite him, Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard has earned a spot with his speed and ability to stretch the field, while Trech Kekahuna is the top option in the slot. On paper, the combination of Anthony and Ballard gives Wisconsin something it’s been missing: real vertical juice. If the run game finds its footing, those two can become dangerous play-action threats who force defenses to respect the deep ball, which allows the Badgers to play more complementary football.
Kekahuna hasn’t exactly stood out the way some hoped during fall camp, but he’s a piece worth keeping an eye on. He’s got some make-you-miss ability across the middle and could be deployed creatively in motion or jet packages, the kind of touches Grimes likes to manufacture for versatile weapons. The Hawaii native may not be a high-volume guy, but when he’s involved, he has the tools to add a different dimension to this passing attack.
Behind that projected starting trio, there are some intriguing depth pieces.
Chris Brooks is a big-bodied target who brings physicality both as a blocker and possession option. True freshman Eugene Hilton Jr. has been one of the better stories of the offseason. Hilton flashed in spring, carried it into fall camp, and the staff has made it clear he will not redshirt. Whether the stats follow immediately is anyone’s guess, but Hilton has the look of someone this program views as a building block beyond 2025.
“He definitely will have a role,” Grimes said. “I would say right now, I don’t want to put numbers on it, but he’s one of our better receivers, when you’re asking a guy to run a route in the way that it’s designed to be run, create separation, and then go up and make a play on the ball.
"He just has a knack for getting open, and he doesn’t drop balls. On top of that, where he’s grown a lot is in his blocking. In the spring, like a lot of freshman wide receivers, he didn’t really know that was a thing that was part of the job responsibilities, but he’s grown a lot in terms of his toughness, and right now, he will definitely play. He’ll be in the rotation.”
Depth-wise, Hawaii transfer Dekel Crowdus and a now-healthy Tyrell Henry are also in the mix. Both have shown flashes and could be situational options depending on how position coach Jordan Reid wants to disperse reps. Realistically, you’re not rolling out six or seven receivers on a weekly basis, but the flexibility here is encouraging. Wisconsin now has enough athleticism to do more than take what defenses give them.
That said, expectations should be tempered. This isn’t going to turn into a passing offense overnight, and gaudy stat lines aren’t likely to follow. But there are enough pieces here that if Anthony can make the leap into a true WR1, someone who wins at every level and provides a go-to target on key downs, then this group can be good enough to complement the run game and keep defenses honest. Whether they can separate against the elite secondaries on this schedule is still a question.
Nevertheless, Wisconsin looks more athletic, deeper, and better equipped at wideout than they’ve been in a while.
Tight Ends
In Grimes’ offense, the tight end room has two distinct roles: the in-line blocker who doubles as a safety valve and the more dynamic pass-catching option who can threaten the seam. If healthy, Tucker Ashcraft projects to be the former, anchoring that in-line role. His availability following a lower-body injury suffered at practice will be worth monitoring, but when he’s out there, he gives Wisconsin a steady option.
On the other side, the staff looks to have landed a spring-portal gem in Missouri State transfer Lance Mason. He’s shown the ability to make plays up the seam and might finally give this offense a legitimate receiving option at tight end, something that’s been missing for a few years now.
“Lance has done impressive things,” Fickell said during fall camp. “There’s a lot on the plate of these tight ends. What I love about him is what he said he wanted, and the reason why he came here is what he’s showing. And it’s not just making plays, it’s the commitment to doing all the things to play at the next level. That’s what’s impressive.”
Grant Stec is next in line for the Ashcraft role. He’s got long-term upside, and this fall would be a great opportunity for him to carve out early reps, get on the field, and start building toward that future.
J.T. Seagreaves has been around and seen the field before, but consistency has been the big hurdle. His athleticism isn’t in question, but trust and execution are what will determine if he plays a role this fall. Then there’s Jackson Aker, technically listed as a tight end but really functioning as Wisconsin’s H-back/fullback. A converted running back, Aker will move around the formation plenty as a lead blocker, catch the occasional pass, and maybe even carry the football in short-yardage situations. He’s a versatile athlete and someone this offense can use in multiple ways.
The staff is also encouraged by in-state freshman Emmett Bork, an underrated prospect by recruiting services but already showing flashes that suggest he’ll be in the mix a year from now.
"I’m very excited about where Emmett is," Nate Lettons said. "For a young guy, his exposure to different football is going to take time with the learning curve. But he’s got all the tools we’re looking for, and I’m very excited about where he can go.”
All told, this group isn’t necessarily a needle mover, but it’s functional. If Ashcraft stays healthy and Mason proves to be the receiving threat the staff believes he can be, then the Badgers will have enough at this spot to execute what Grimes wants. And compared to the lack of production Wisconsin has had here in recent years, that already feels like an upgrade.
Offensive Line
If you’d asked me back in the spring, I would’ve told you this offensive line had a chance to be the deepest room on the entire team, not just the offense.
Left to right, you felt really good about what Wisconsin had going into offseason training. Kevin Heywood, a former blue-chip recruit and the heir apparent to Jack Nelson, looked ready to step into that left tackle spot. Next to him, Joe Brunner already carried himself like a pro at left guard. At center, Jake Renfro was set to anchor things, with right guard up for grabs between multiple capable options. And then you had Riley Mahlman back at right tackle. On paper, that five had the potential to be a real strength and set the tone for Grimes’ brand of physical football.
Then came the torn ACL for Heywood that ended his season before it began, and that injury changed everything. Suddenly, Wisconsin had to hit the spring portal and walked away with Central Michigan transfer Davis Heinzen. He doesn’t have the prototypical measurables that the Badgers usually feature out at tackle, but he’s athletic and experienced, and as camp wrapped up, it looked like the job was his to lose.
"He’s got some athleticism. He might not be quite as long as some of the tackles that have been here in the past," AJ Blazek explained, "but he’s got the feet, the movement, and the athletic ability. Now it’s settling in with the guys. He’s really smart, picked it all up. When we’re looking at a guy like that, he’s got to come from an offense where they’ve asked him to think about a lot, and he does a really good job at that. He’s just fit."
Brunner, meanwhile, has only continued to solidify himself as one of the best players on this line. The bigger concern is Renfro. He missed the end of camp with a week-to-week injury, and given his history, that’s worrisome. If he can’t go, it creates a domino effect on the interior.
Emerson Mandell, a powerful redshirt freshman with a high ceiling, ended up winning the right guard spot outright. He’s strong enough to move people in the run game and looks like he’s ready for real reps.
"He's a guy that I think we've all known has tremendous potential," Grimes said. I think he's done a good job really preparing himself for this Fall, and now he's become a guy that is more reliable, knows what's going on, and we still see that potential that he has. He's one of those few guys that's big enough, strong enough that he can handle a big defensive tackle by himself, and there aren't a whole lot of humans that can do that at this level. We're seeing a guy that's a lot more consistent."
Kerry Kodanko was expected to be the first man off the bench at all three interior spots, but he also suffered an injury that’s left Wisconsin dipping further into its depth chart. That’s meant looks for Ryan Cory at center and even Logan Powell shifting inside. The bottom line is simple: the Badgers need Renfro healthy if they want to reach their ceiling up front.
At right tackle, Mahlman returns as a steady presence when healthy, but beyond him, the depth is shaky. The staff has toyed with moving J.P. Benzschawel outside, while Leyton Nelson is still developing after working back from an injury that wiped out his 2024 season. Barrett Nelson is unavailable, and while a few freshmen have seen opportunities in camp, asking them to contribute this fall would be a big stretch.
So what was once projected as one of the most stable, loaded rooms on the roster now carries its fair share of questions. If the starters stay intact and Renfro gets back on the field, this line could still be plenty good. But the margin for error is thin, and the lack of playable depth at tackle in particular makes this one of the biggest “hold your breath” groups on the roster. Injuries happen, but the offensive line can't just be a net neutral.
Wrapping up the Offense
Taken as a whole, the Wisconsin Badgers offense looks like a group with more answers than questions coming out of fall camp. Nevertheless, it’s only fair to acknowledge the growing pains that come with installing a new system and building chemistry. A grace period should be expected.
Billy Edwards Jr. may not light up the stat sheet or become a Heisman hopeful, but he’s exactly the kind of steady hand this program needed at quarterback. Behind him, the running back tandem of Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree gives Jeff Grimes a talented one-two punch that fits the physical, wide-zone identity he wants to build. The wide receiver room feels deeper and more athletic than it’s been in years, with Vinny Anthony in the WR1 role and Eugene Hilton Jr. flashing as the next big thing.
At tight end, the addition of Lance Mason plus a healthy Tucker Ashcraft gives Wisconsin at least some viable targets and blocking options, something that’s been missing in recent years. The offensive line is where optimism meets concern. If healthy, the starting five has the talent to be a strong unit. But the injuries and lack of depth, especially at tackle, make it a “cross your fingers” situation every week, which you hate to see.
Bottom line: this offense should be better and a lot more functional. It’s deeper, more versatile, and more suited to what Grimes wants to run. But whether “better” translates into consistent production against the best teams on the schedule, that’s still the question hanging in the air.
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