The University of Wisconsin football program appears set to get one of the most important pieces of its offensive line back just in time for its biggest test.
Wisconsin starting right tackle Kevin Heywood is expected to play against No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Starting right guard Emerson Mandell, meanwhile, is not expected to play as he continues working his way back from a foot injury that required surgery back.
Both projected starters missed significant time during fall camp, leaving the right side of Eric Mateos’ offensive line as one of Wisconsin’s biggest questions entering Week 1.
Getting Heywood back changes that equation considerably.
The 6-foot-9, 320-pound tackle suffered a lower-body injury on the second day of fall camp and spent time in a walking boot. Heywood eventually returned to practice in some capacity, with Luke Fickell saying earlier this week that he had taken reps. Still, the Wisconsin head coach characterized Heywood’s availability as something that would likely come down to a game-time decision.
Now, barring a setback, it appears Wisconsin will have him.
And against Notre Dame, that’s a big deal.
Heywood is arguably the most naturally talented offensive lineman on Wisconsin’s roster. The former four-star recruit missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his ACL during spring practice but returned this offseason and moved to right tackle, where the Badgers envisioned him becoming a potential cornerstone of their rebuilt offensive line.
Wisconsin needs something close to that version of Heywood on Sunday.
Notre Dame presents one of the most talented defensive fronts the Badgers will see all season, including edge rusher Boubacar Traore, who recorded 6.5 sacks last season. Wisconsin’s offensive formula is expected to revolve heavily around establishing the run with Abu Sama, keeping quarterback Colton Joseph out of obvious passing situations, and using his mobility to create another number defenses have to account for.
Having Heywood, who has played just 72 career offensive snaps, available gives the Badgers a much better chance of making that work.
The question is how much he’s physically prepared to handle after missing so much of camp.
Florida State transfer Lucas Simmons handled the majority of the work at right tackle while Heywood was unavailable and gives Wisconsin another option. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Simmons still works into the rotation if Heywood isn’t ready to handle a full workload. Regardless, simply having the Pennsylvania native available is a significant step in the right direction.
Mandell’s absence leaves considerably more uncertainty next to him.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman started all 12 games last season, primarily at right tackle, before moving back inside to his more natural position at right guard this offseason. A foot injury that required surgery kept Mandell out for essentially all of fall camp, or at least the portion open to the media, and Wisconsin spent that time developing options.
Augustana transfer Stylz Blackmon and Blake Cherry, who arrived from Arkansas, have been among the primary options earning reps at right guard. Whoever gets the nod there will join PJ Wilkins, Colin Cubberly and Austin Kawecki in rounding out Wisconsin’s starting five.
Considering how little Mandell has practiced, getting him completely healthy rather than forcing him back for Week 1 makes sense.
Heywood’s situation is different.
Wisconsin already entered Sunday as a significant underdog against Notre Dame. Moving the football against this Irish defensive front was going to be difficult with everyone available.
Having Heywood available at right tackle doesn’t solve all of Wisconsin’s concerns up front, especially after the amount of practice time he missed. But if the Badgers are going to establish the run and give Joseph enough time to make this game competitive, having arguably their most talented offensive lineman back in the fold felt awfully close to a necessity.
It appears they’ll at least get that chance.
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