What the Wisconsin football staff is looking for at inside linebacker

Head coach Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel have embarked on a substantial task this offseason—revamping the Wisconsin football linebacker corps to better suit their envisioned defensive scheme.

When the new staff took over in Madison, the focus was on “meshing the elite.” This concept required Tressel to integrate the strengths of Wisconsin’s previous 3-4 base and 2-4-5 nickel scheme, led by former coordinator Jim Leonhard, with the 3-3-5 nickel defense employed by he and Fickell during their tenure at Cincinnati.

Thanks to the transfer portal, the Badgers added several players who fit the mold of what they would typically recruit. But the tricky part was figuring out how to put the inherited personnel in the best position to succeed in the here and now while installing their defense. 

The results, at least by Wisconsin football standards, were mixed. 

In 2023, the Badgers finished ranked No. 31 in total defense, allowing 331.7 yards per game, No. 43 in rushing defense (138.2 YPG), No. 25 in passing defense (193.4 YPG), and No. 18 in scoring defense, surrendering 18.9 PPG. 

Wisconsin Football Still Working Through Its Defensive Transition 

Wisconsin football transitioning defensive schemes was a bigger deal than many, myself included, thought it would be. That’s what happens when you (sort of) take a decade’s worth of elite defenses for granted. 

Knowing what we know now, the position group affected most by the transformation was the inside linebackers. Changing the responsibilities turned ILB from a strength into a weakness of sorts. Conversely, this position group also holds the greatest potential for improvement next season if Mike Tressel can find players better suited for his system.

Before the ReliaQuest Bowl versus LSU, Tressel addressed reporters, discussing what he would like to see from the Wisconsin football team’s linebackers moving forward. 

“They’re a great physical group of linebackers, and we’re continuing to get more and more and more athletic,” Tressel told reporters. “You can look at half the games during the season, even in the Big Ten conference, are all about speed and athleticism and space, and then half of them are about smash-mouth football, and that’s what’s unique about our league. 

“We need to have guys that are comfortable and successful doing both.”

Final Thoughts on the Wisconsin Badgers Linebacker Overhaul

With the portal now open, the Wisconsin Badgers recruiting department has worked diligently to find a complement of players whose physical attributes can enhance the defensive scheme’s capabilities in 2024. 

Linebackers face altered responsibilities in the Wisconsin football program’s modified defensive setup. They’re tasked with increased coverage duties while maintaining their obligations against the run. The scheme Mike Tressel runs requires versatility, agility, and adaptability from these players, making size, length, and athleticism crucial attributes.

Improved size allows for greater impact at the line of scrimmage, length adds reach to disrupt passing lanes and tackles, and athleticism provides the necessary tools to cover ground and handle diverse assignments. 

Thus far, Wisconsin has brought in multiple athletes from the portal who fit that description. 

At outside linebacker, the Badgers prioritized Leon Lowery and John Pius to re-vitalize its pass rush. I’ve been told Wisconsin’s staff is incredibly high on these particular additions, and think they could change the entire dynamic of the team’s defense next season. 

Then, at inside linebacker, Wisconsin football has added Northern Iowa transfer Jahsiah Galvan, a hybrid safety type, and more recently, North Carolina’s Sebastian Cheeks, a former four-star recruit, to help bolster its overall depth and athleticism at the position. They’re also involved in at least one other notable linebacker in the portal right now, too. 

If the Badgers take a noticeable step forward on defense next season, it will likely be due to the performance of the revamped linebacking core. 

Time will tell if this transition will work — but the upside is undeniable. 

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