Column: One thought on each member of Wisconsin football's two-deep
Breaking down the Wisconsin Badgers' initial two-deep with the season opener against Miami (OH) just days away.
Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell returned to the basement of the McClain Center on Monday morning with the opener against Miami (OH) just days away.
The skipper will address the media on Monday of every game week, but the first presser of the season comes with added intrigue as the Badgers released their initial two-deep for the 2025 campaign.
Now, college football depth charts can be largely ceremonious and often misleading. Many programs simply refuse to release one. But Wisconsin’s initial two-deep gives us a brief peek into the mind of the Badgers’ coaching staff and often reveals who had the strongest offseason at various positions.
Without further ado, here’s one thought on each offensive and defensive player listed on the Badgers’ first depth chart of 2025:
*Author’s note: Many players are co-listed with an “OR;” that’s reflected below simply as an additional entry at the corresponding position.
OFFENSE
QB1 — Billy Edwards Jr: He’s a great fit for Jeff Grimes’ offense. Tough, smart and can distribute the ball. Can he go win you a close game? That remains to be seen.
QB2 — Danny O’Neil: Probably the best backup quarterback Wisconsin has had in years. That doesn’t mean you feel comfortable handing him the keys to the offense quite yet.
RB1 — Dilin Jones: I can’t wait to watch this guy run. Decisive, physical and explosive.
RB2 — Darrion Dupree: Dupree would be the starting tailback at many programs across the country right now. The two special traits we’ve seen so far: body control and receiving ability.
RB2 — Cade Yacamelli: Fickell called his 8.3 yards-per-carry a product of the “system” last fall. Well, there’s a new system in town, and Yacamelli looks even bigger, stronger and faster in year four.
WR1 — Chris Brooks Jr: First big surprise of the two-deep. Brooks has strong hands and an ideal frame for blocking, and the latter especially helped him earn this honor.
WR1 — Vinny Anthony: Speed that makes you hold your breath. Can he refine some of the finer points of his game (hands, route-running, ect)?
SLOT — Trech Kekahuna: Grimes can barely contain his excitement when talking about this kid. He deserves a half-dozen touches each week at the bare minimum.
WR2 — Jayden Ballard: Anthony’s speed but add some height and wingspan. His ability to take the top off a defense is clear as day, but how many chances will he get?
WR2 — Joe Griffin Jr.: The only player on this offense I would trust to go get a 50-50 ball right now. 6-foot-4 and bouncy.
WR2 — Dekel Crowdus: Another speedster who has yet to stick at the Power Four level. I’m very curious to see how Grimes uses him.
WR2 — Eugene Hilton: The best way I can put it is that he’s simply a natural at the receiver position. I wonder where he gets it from?
SLOT 2 — Tyrell Henry: Henry has been lauded as one of the more versatile players in the receiver room. Is this the beginning of the end for Kyan Berry-Johnson’s time in Madison?
TE1 — Jackson Acker: I like Acker as an in-line blocker who you could occasionally draw up something of a trick play to get the ball to. I’d be shocked if he’s used as anything other than an in-line tight end, fullback or H-back this year.
TE1 — Lance Mason: Natural receiver who compliments the physicality of his co-starter Acker well.
TE2 — Grant Stec: Incredibly competitive by all accounts. I also love his size at 6-foot-6.
TE2 — Jackson McGohan: It bothers me that the Badgers are still trying to convince themselves McGohan is a tight end. They’ll never ask him to block in the trenches at 228 pounds; move him out wide where he’ll be a physical mismatch for smaller corners.
LT1 — Davis Heinzen: Described by multiple coaches as athletic and smart, but the last time offensive line coach AJ Blazek spoke he said he’s still growing in terms of his technique as well as the speed of Big Ten football.
LT2 — Leyton Nelson: You have to wonder how early Nelson will get a chance to play starting left tackle if Heinzen struggles. This position is way shakier than you would hope.
LG1 — Joe Brunner: He’s grown as a leader and coming off his first full year as a starter. Brunner could dominate in 2025.
LG2 — Colin Cubberly: Consistently spoken highly of. Could be in line to start next season.
C1 — Jake Renfro: Renfro was…fine last year. But he needs to take another step, specifically in run blocking, for this offense to succeed this fall.
C2 — Ryan Cory: Another redshirt freshman offensive lineman in the two-deep. Like Cubberly, has a great path to playing time next season.
RG — Emerson Mandell: Biggest starter on the offensive line at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. Drips potential and he beat out several veterans for this spot.
RG2 — Kerry Kodanko: Can be moved around along the interior of the line. Might actually be the top choice at backup center as well.
RT — Riley Mahlman: Stout pass protector. Would love to see a little bit more in the run game.
DEFENSE
DL1 — Ben Barten: Biggest defensive lineman on the roster. Was quietly a nuisance around the line of scrimmage last year with five PBUs.
DL1 — Jay’Viar Suggs: Didn’t pop as much as some of the other new linemen when I watched practice, but you love the size and experience.
DL1 — Parker Petersen: Country strong with a knack for getting into the backfield.
DL1 — Brandon Lane: One of the bigger linemen that should rotate in and out plenty, I’d expect to see him on lots of early downs to plug up rushing lanes.
DL2 — Dillan Johnson: The ex-wrestler is one of Fickell’s favorite. Excited to see how (and where) he plays along the defensive front in his true sophomore year.
DL2 — Charles Perkins: Perc 30. Light on his feet yet very powerful like a dancing bear.
OLB1 — Darryl Peterson: Certainly a culture and locker room guy but I’ve just never been impressed with his play off the edge.
OLB1 — Corey Walker: With his size (290 pounds), figures to be an early-down guy who will set the edge for the Badgers’ defense.
OLB1 — Mason Reiger: Attacked fall camp accordingly, like it’s his last shot to make an impact at the college level. But I’ve been fooled by pass-rushers that look dynamic in a practice setting before.
OLB1 — Sebastian Cheeks: OLBs coach Matt Mitchell commended his edge-setting and mentioned him as a 1st and 2nd down guy.
OLB2 — Tyreese Fearby: The staff likes him as a pass-rusher. Can he put it together in what figures to be inconsistent snaps?
OLB2 — Aaron Witt: Like Peterson, he does wonders for the program’s culture. On the field is a different story.
ILB1 — Christian Alliegro: The best player on the defense. Should be in line for a massive season.