Wisconsin Football Faces Pressing Depth Issues on the Offensive Line

For the first time in quite a while, the Wisconsin Badgers football team is facing some notable depth concerns along the offensive line.

The Badgers experienced significant turnover in their offensive line room this offseason, losing five scholarship linemen for various reasons, such as expiring eligibility, declaring for the NFL Draft, or transferring out of the program.

Starters like Tanor Bortolini and Michael Furtney, along with depth pieces Trey Wedig, Nolan Rucci, and Dylan Barrett, all departed, leaving Wisconsin football—and position coach AJ Blazek—with some substantial gaps to fill in the two-deep.

While the Badgers’ staff signed five true freshmen linemen in the 2024 class as replacements, headlined by Kevin Heywood, only two are on campus this spring, causing serious depth issues to iron out during practice.

“We’re making sure we build the depth there because we lost quite a bit with some of those guys that left and transferred,” Fickell told reporters. “They were guys that were going to compete to play and to start, but also to give you that bunch of depth up there to allow you to play a bunch of guys. So we’re going to have to continue to build that back.”

Despite a strong starting five consisting of Jack Nelson, Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber, and Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin football is relying heavily on walk-ons to fill backup roles. The Badgers staff even resorted to bringing in two tryout players to ensure sufficient coverage for all three teams in spring practice.

“For us to get better, and I mean that as a whole program, we have to be able to rep three groups in spring,” Fickell said. “And without having some of those guys, it makes it really difficult. … It’s very critical to try to get some of those guys in early, and then baptism by fire.”

Some of the Wisconsin football team’s depth issues will be less glaring when true freshmen Emerson Mandell, Derek Jensen, and Ryan Cory arrive this summer. However, if the Badgers encounter any injuries this season, no experienced options are ready to step in. 

I’m not confident that unproven options like JP Benzschawel and Barrett Nelson can step in without causing a domino effect of re-shuffling on the offensive line. Even for a talented player like Heywood, the responsibility of serving as the backup left tackle is a substantial ask.

That’s why the Badgers have started experimenting with Brunner at tackle and Huber at center to address the situation.

When the spring transfer portal window opens, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Wisconsin football staff dip into the portal and find an offensive lineman from a lower level capable of being a swing tackle or interior presence to solidify their depth while younger options continue to develop.

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