What we heard from Tuf Borland about Wisconsin football’s linebacker room
Wisconsin knows Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano can make plays. Tuf Borland explained what comes next for the Badgers linebackers.
The Wisconsin football program didn’t have to wait long last season to learn what it had in Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano.
Both grew into significant roles as freshmen and quickly became two of the most important pieces on a defense that improved considerably as the season progressed. Posa earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, while Catalano started five games and established himself alongside him.
Inside linebackers coach Tuf Borland isn’t asking either player to become dramatically different in Year 2. He wants them to understand considerably more about why they’re doing what they’re doing.
That was one of the biggest takeaways from Borland’s media availability during fall camp.
Wisconsin wants Posa and Catalano to become students of the game
Posa and Catalano made plenty of plays last season because they’re instinctive football players. Even so, Borland doesn’t want Wisconsin relying exclusively on those instincts anymore.
“We got to be situational and formational masters,” Borland said. “A lot of times they’re playing off feel, and they made a lot of plays. They have instincts, but you can’t rely on instincts all the time, right? You’ve got to be able to anticipate what the offense is giving you pre-snap and play ball that way too.”
Posa might be the clearest example.
Borland challenged him this offseason after noticing that much of his production occurred near the line of scrimmage. Posa finished with 61 tackles, 14 pressures, four sacks and two forced fumbles in just 11 games, establishing himself as a disruptive downhill player. The next step is becoming more effective when offenses force him to play in space.
“You look at his plays last year, I told him that all his plays are made within five yards of the line of scrimmage,” Borland said. “And it’s just continuing to grow. Situational football, okay, what are those little things from a situational standpoint? What depth of the routes are coming? Formationally, okay, what am I seeing? What can I pick up on?”
Wisconsin already knows Posa can attack downhill. Becoming equally comfortable diagnosing what’s happening around him could unlock another level.
Their leadership styles couldn’t be more different
Luke Fickell has repeatedly pointed to Posa and Catalano as young players who helped change the internal leadership of the program last season.
Borland sees two players accomplishing that in very different ways.
“I think, naturally, Posa is a little bit more outspoken, leads a little bit more through what he says, the energy he brings and plays with, and Coop’s a little bit more of that rock-solid, steady, lead-by-example type guy,” Borland explained.
The challenge is getting each player outside his comfort zone. For Catalano, that means becoming more vocal. For Posa, it’s making sure the emotion and energy are accompanied by down-to-down consistency.
“At the end of the day, leaders are seen, heard and felt,” Borland said. “And you strive to hit all three of those benchmarks.”
That’s significant for a position group Wisconsin will lean heavily on in 2026. Posa and Catalano aren’t being treated like young players who might eventually become leaders anymore. They’re being asked to become two of the people setting the standard now.
Wisconsin believes there’s legitimate depth behind them
Posa and Catalano headline the room, but Borland doesn’t want Wisconsin’s linebacker depth to end there.
Kansas transfer Jon Jon Kamara continues to flash athletically, although Borland wants greater consistency.
“I think the athleticism, it’s really fun to coach,” Borland said of Kamara. “Guy flashes and makes a ton of plays, and just trying to continue to hone in the details of what we’re doing and continuing to be more consistent. Coach Fickell always talks about being consistently good over occasionally great. And that’s what we’re striving to do with Jon Jon.”
Thomas Heiberger has also impressed the coaching staff after injuries interrupted some of his opportunities early in his career. He appeared in 11 games last season, making three starts at linebacker, but logged just 95 defensive snaps and finished with seven tackles. His ability to handle multiple linebacker spots has helped him continue earning Borland’s trust.
Then there’s Iowa Central Community College transfer Taylor Schaefer, a native of Sturgeon Bay (Wis.) who Borland believes fits the mold of what Wisconsin has traditionally valued at linebacker.
“He’s rock steady,” Borland said. “He fits the Wisconsin mold, Wisconsin culture of what these linebackers’ corps have been. Tough, physical, nasty. As he’s gained more experience, he’s looked more comfortable.”
Even walk-on Drew Braam from Oak Creek (Wis.) has worked into the conversation. Braam, now a redshirt sophomore, knows all three linebacker positions and is expected to contribute on special teams.
That’s important because Borland has made the expectations for anyone outside the primary rotation pretty clear.
“We pride ourselves on being deep. Everybody’s got to pull their own weight. There’s no such thing as free lunches,” Borland said.
“Even guys that you don’t see, they’re competing, they’re fighting. At this point, it’s kind of an NFL model for linebackers and special teams. If you aren’t the guy, if you aren’t one, two, three, you better be on three, four teams. Make an impact in some way, somehow, adding value to the team.”
Wisconsin enters 2026 feeling considerably different about its inside linebackers than it did a year ago. Posa and Catalano have already proven they belong and could become cornerstones of this team. Now Borland wants them diagnosing offenses rather than relying solely on instincts, expanding their leadership roles and becoming more complete players.
And behind them, Wisconsin finally appears to have enough competition that earning snaps won’t be easy. That’s exactly how Borland wants it.
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