Know Your Enemy: Breaking Down The Wisconsin Defense
- Brenden Duffy
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Can Wisconsin Head Coach Luke Fickell right the ship this year in Wisconsin?
Photo via University of Wisconsin Athletics
Time will tell, but it will not be easy with a season-opening matchup against the fourth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Fickell, former Ohio State Defensive Coordinator and Cincinnati Head Coach, enters his fourth full season as the head man in Madison. After going 7-6 in 2023, Fickell’s Badgers have seen their win total drop in each season since, placing him firmly on the hot seat as we enter the 2026 campaign. To be fair, defense has been far from the biggest issue concerning Fickell’s Badgers tenure.
A part of that is thanks to Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel, who came over with Fickell from Cincinnati, where he held the same role. Last season, Tressel’s unit finished 15th nationally in run defense, 20th in sacks per game, and 24th in total defense. This season, the Badgers will look to build around their core of returning linebackers with a cast of high-upside, yet unproven, talent. We preview the Badgers’ key defensive personnel below:
EDGEs
Sebastian Cheeks
The first of two fifth-year EDGEs is the 6-3, 243-pound former UNC transfer. Cheeks, from Skokie, Illinois, committed to the Tar Heels as a four-star recruit out of Evanston Township High School.
Cheeks played in 11 games across two seasons in Chapel Hill after dealing with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of his true freshman year. He would end up transferring to Wisconsin in 2024, an option that brought Cheeks closer to home while improving his chances of an increased role on defense.
Last season was a career-best for Cheeks, making three starts and appearing in all 12 games. He finished the year with 25 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and three sacks. Cheeks has great pass-rush potential, as he generated the second-most QB pressures on the team last season; however, his lackluster sack numbers would probably lead you to think otherwise.
The fifth-year EDGE has good size and physicality against the run. He is also someone who clearly improves his game year-over-year, so Cheeks could have an effect on Sunday’s game against the Irish.
Justus Boone
On the other side of Cheeks will likely be this 6-5, 278-pound fifth-year. Originally a four-star recruit out of Sumter High School in South Carolina, Boone committed to Florida.
Boone spent four years at Florida, appearing in 26 games across three seasons after missing the entire 2023 campaign with a torn ACL. During his time as a Gator, he tallied 37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, and one PBU.
Following four years in Gainesville, Boone transferred to Arkansas in 2025, where he played in 12 games with three starts. He finished the year with 28 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack, and one PBU in his lone season as a Razorback. Boone recorded three tackles and was credited for an assisted TFL during Notre Dame’s 56-13 win in Fayetteville.
Now, Boone has transferred to Wisconsin for his final collegiate season. He brings elite size, good footwork and run-stopping abilities, and versatility to the Badgers defense. Boone is capable of lining up on the interior, edge, or in a linebacking role. His biggest flaw is his lack of production as a pass rusher, notching just three QB hurries last season.
Others to watch: Tyreese Fearbry
Interior Linemen
Hammond Russell IV
The first of three interior linemen likely to see significant snaps is a fifth-year, West Virginia (WVU) transfer. Russell, 6-4 and 320 pounds, committed to the Mountaineers out of Dublin Coffman High School in Columbus, Ohio, as a three-star recruit.
Russell spent five years at WVU, despite appearing in just two games across his first two seasons. In total, the IDL appeared in 36 games as a Mountaineer, including five starts that all occurred last season. He finished his WVU career with 40 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
Now, Russell has transferred to Wisconsin for his final collegiate season. He offers elite size and looks like a prototypical run-stopping beast; however, he has struggled in this aspect in the past. Similarly, he has decent production as a pass rusher; however, it is nowhere near consistent enough to be considered a legitimate threat. I do think Russell will benefit from being a part of a rotation at Wisconsin, compared to if he were asked to be an every-down guy.
Charles Perkins
Wisconsin’s likely early-down space-eater will be 6-2, 333-pound fifth-year Charles Perkins. A native of Memphis, Perkins committed to UT-Martin out of high school, where he would spend three years.
Perkins broke out at UT-Martin in 2024 when he finished the season with 40 tackles, nine TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across 14 games played. Following his breakthrough campaign, the IDL transferred to Wisconsin in 2025.
As expected, the jump from FCS to FBS seemed a bit overwhelming for Perkins as he was limited to just eight games. He finished his first season in Madison with six tackles and two TFLs, with four of his tackles and both of his TFLs coming against Indiana.
With an increased role this fall, Perkins should be able to exhibit his good power and movement for his size more often. He has elite size; however, his length is questionable. He has flashed as a pass rush threat in the past, but like Russell, it is not very consistent.
Junior Poyser
The best pass rusher from this trio of IDLs may be the 6-2, 331-pound Buffalo transfer. Poyser, a Senior, is a native of Ontario but moved to Massachusetts in high school, where he attended The Williston Northampton School. He committed to Buffalo out of high school, where he has spent the past three years.
Poyser had his career-best season last year when he recorded 31 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 12 games played, including seven starts. He was named to the All-MAC Third Team after finishing the season with the second-highest PFF pass-rush grade among MAC DL.
Poyser brings his pass-rush abilities to Wisconsin in 2026 after generating 24 QB pressures last season. Also, the senior transfer is a tremendous athlete, as emphasized by his appearance on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List. Poyser also possesses a high motor. Some things to watch with Poyser will be how he adjusts to the step up in competition, how his lack of length affects his play, and if his run defense has improved after not showing much during his time at Buffalo.
Linebackers
Mason Posa
The best player on the Wisconsin roster and the defensive leader is this Sophomore who is already among the top LBs in the Big Ten. Posa, 6-3 and 235 pounds, committed to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit out of La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Posa made his mark as a true freshman last season, making five starts across 11 games played. He finished the year with 61 tackles, four TFLs, four sacks, three PBUs, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He recorded a season-high 13 tackles against Oregon and had an impressive 2.5-sack performance versus Washington. Some honors Posa picked up include On3 and 247 Sports Freshman All-American nods and a selection on the All-Big Ten Third Team.
The sophomore LB is a very physical player who tends to attack, rather than wait. At the same time, this tendency can cost him when he occasionally overbites on a fake or in other situations where he is just too aggressive. Posa’s physicality and good athleticism may stem from his wrestling background, notably as a three-time New Mexico State Champion. He is a great pass-rusher who possesses a high motor and football IQ. None of this LB trio was asked to do much in coverage last season, so that will be an aspect to keep an eye on.
Cooper Catalano
Next to Posa will be another Sophomore, Cooper Catalano. An elite tackler, the 6-1, 232-pound LB is a Wisconsin native, committing to the in-state Badgers as a three-star out of Germantown High School. Catalano put together a legendary high school career, finishing as the state’s all-time leader in career tackles with 583.
Catalano’s ability to bring down the ball-carrier did not dissipate in college, finishing his true freshman year with 56 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, and one PBU across 12 games played, including four starts. His most notable performance was a historic one, stacking 19 tackles, two TFLs, and one sack against Washington. Catalano was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for this performance, where he tallied the most tackles by a power-four conference true freshman since 2017.
Besides tackling, Catalano exhibits good football IQ, is good against the run, and is solid as a pass-rusher. However, he does not have the greatest size, and his athleticism clearly lags behind his counterpart, Posa.
Jon Jon Kamara
Wisconsin’s third LB to keep an eye on is the Kansas transfer and 6-4, 243-pound Junior. Kamara committed to the Jayhawks out of Desert Edge High School in Arizona as a three-star recruit.
Last season, Kamara’s second at Kansas, he finished the year with 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and was credited with half a sack.
Kamara brings elite athleticism, a credit to his track and field background, and good size to the Badgers’ LB core. He also offers the versatility of moving along the different LB roles. Originally from Liberia, Kamara picked up football later than most of his peers, and that can be evident as he is still learning the game and his position.
Defensive Backs
CB Javan Robinson
The Badgers’ top CB is this Arizona State (ASU) transfer who brings some needed starting experience to the Wisconsin DB room. Robinson, a 5-11, 184-pound fifth-year, originally committed to Washington State (Wazzu) as a three-star recruit out of West Orange High School in Orlando, Florida.
Robinson spent two years in Pullman before transferring down south to ASU. In his 2023 season with the Cougars, the young DB tallied 12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one PBU across seven games played.
With the Sun Devils is where Robinson really showed the type of player he can be. The CB started all 26 games he appeared in across two years in Tempe, playing a key part in ASU’s 2024 CFP appearance. Robinson finished his ASU career with 85 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three INTs, 12 PBUs, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He led the 2024 Big 12 Champions with a team-leading three interceptions, and his 43 tackles led all Big 12 CBs.
Peach Bowl INT vs Texas
Robinson now transfers to Wisconsin for his final season. Some positives surrounding the new Badger CB include his tackling prowess, as evidenced by just his two missed tackles in 2025, and he is a good run defender, posting a 79.3 PFF run defense grade in 2024, ranking third among all Big 12 CBs. He also possesses good athleticism and speed. Robinson does not have the greatest size for a boundary CB, and has had lapses in coverage that prevent him from being a true lockdown guy.
CB Jai’mier Scott
Likely starting opposite of Robinson, will be someone taking his first-ever collegiate snaps. Scott, a 6-1 and 192-pound Sophomore, committed to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit out of Mt. Healthy High School in Ohio. He did not see any game action as a true freshman last year.
What is known about Scott is that he has great size and good speed to complement that. Based on his high school tape, he has good instincts and ball skills, and also seems like a good, physical tackler. Some obvious development will be needed as Scott gets his feet wet in college football. Growing pains should be expected as he prioritizes technique development this season.
Nickel Bryce West
Wisconsin’s likely starting Nickel will be the 5-11, 200-pound Ohio State (OSU) transfer. A Junior from Cleveland, West committed to the Buckeyes as a top-100 recruit out of Glenville High School.
West spent the past two years in Columbus, appearing in 18 games during his time as a Buckeye. He finished his OSU career with 11 tackles, one PBU, and one forced fumble before transferring to Wisconsin this season.
West definitely has the athleticism a defense wants when looking for a nickel. He also brings some good physicality, but limited college experience does raise some questions.
S Marvin Burks Jr
Another transfer, this Senior Wisconsin Safety moved over to Madison after three years at Missouri. Burks committed to Missouri as a three-star out of Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis.
Burks made 26 starts across 39 games played in Columbia, totaling 131 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, two INTs including one pick-six, three PBUs, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Pick-Six vs Mississippi State
The 6-2, 210-pound Safety brings good experience, size and length, versatility, and physicality to the Badgers’ DB room. Overall, Burks is a well-rounded player with the occasional error in coverage, and he could probably improve his pass rush production.
S Matt Jung
The last player to highlight on this defense has, perhaps, the best story. Jung is a 6-3 and 213-pound Safety out of Neenah, Wisconsin. The Fifth Year began his collegiate career at DIII Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Jung was sensational across two years at Bethel, totaling 181 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 16 INTs including six pick-sixes, 19 PBUs, three forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 25 games played. As a sophomore in the 2024 season, Jung led Bethel with 109 tackles and led all of DIII with nine INTs and four pick-sixes. He was named a DIII First Team All-American and the Cliff Harris Award Winner (Small College Defensive Player of the Year). Jung decided to make the huge jump from DIII to the Big Ten in 2025.
Last season, Jung made eight starts across 12 games played, finishing his first year as a Badger with 50 tackles. He flashed against Oregon when he tallied a season-high ten tackles. Jung exhibits great instincts and a high football IQ and is a solid tackler. He does have good size and length for a FS. Additionally, it was clear that as the season went on last year, he became increasingly more comfortable with the adjustment from DIII to DI football. Jung’s coverage was pretty brutal last year, as opposing QBs completed 75% of their passes when throwing in his direction.
Others to watch: Eric Fletcher
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