Know Your Enemy: Breaking Down The Wisconsin Offense
- Brenden Duffy
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
Wisconsin looks to turn around one of the nation's worst offenses from a year ago in an uphill battle against Notre Dame.
Photo via University of Wisconsin Athletics
Badgers Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes enters his second year in the role. Last season did not go to plan, as injuries at Quarterback and on the Offensive Line plagued the offense all season. Now, Grimes will look to get the Badgers offense back to their old hard-nosed identity, featuring a plethora of transfers including a dual-threat QB. Preview the key Wisconsin offensive personnel below:
Quarterback
Colton Joseph
Among the 30-plus incoming transfers, the most important addition is former Old Dominion QB Colton Joseph. The 6-2, 215-pound Senior brings two years' worth of starting experience and athleticism at the position that has not been seen in Madison since Russell Wilson.
The Newport Beach, California, native committed to Old Dominion as a three-star recruit out of Newport Harbor High School. Joseph made his mark last season as a Redshirt Sophomore, when he was just one of two QBs to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000, along with former USF and new Auburn starter Byrum Brown. While starting 12 games last season, Joseph threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns. He routinely showed off his playmaking abilities, averaging 15.2 yards per completion, the second-most in the country. On the ground, Joseph ran for 1,007 yards and added 13 scores. His 6.4 yards per carry ranked 12th-most in the nation, emphasizing his skill set as a true dual-threat. The Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year’s 302.6 total yards per game finished eighth-most in the country.
Perhaps the obvious question will be how Joseph’s passing game translates to Power Four-level competition. He has shown accuracy and decision-making issues in the past, throwing 10 interceptions and coughing up 12 fumbles last year. Additionally, he does tend to take some unnecessary hits as a runner. At ODU, Joseph did not face much pressure, and I would expect some growing pains as he faces increased pressure week in and week out, starting from week one against a strong Notre Dame front seven.
Running Backs
Abu Sama III
A potential position that could rotate this year for the Badgers is the RB spot. The door appears somewhat open for someone to take over bellcow duties. The current leader for this role in the Badgers locker room seems to be Iowa State transfer Abu Sama III. The 5-11, 214-pound Senior RB transferred to Wisconsin this season following three years with the Cyclones.
Originally out of Des Moines, IA, Sama was a three-star recruit and the 2022 Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year out of Southeast Polk High School. Sama would commit to Iowa State out of high school.
Across three seasons at Iowa State, Sama rushed for 1,933 yards and 13 touchdowns on 348 carries. He added 20 catches for 128 yards as a limited receiving option during this time.
I would expect Wisconsin to let Sama get the majority of touches against the Irish, but it would not be surprising if he were to end up splitting carries with Darrion Dupree and, possibly, Bryan Jackson.
Some of Sama’s positive qualities include good vision and contact balance, as evidenced by his 48 forced missed tackles across 148 carries last year. He is also the type of rusher that will turn a seemingly two-yard gain into a sudden five-yard burst with his physicality.
The biggest drawback on Sama is his lack of game-breaking speed. His production is also questionable during his time at Iowa State, as he was unable to prove himself as a true workhorse back. Additionally, he has not shown he can be much of a receiving threat, but this is something that could change in a new offense at Wisconsin.
Darrion Dupree
The other most likely contender to take over as Wisconsin’s lead back this fall is the 5-11, 218-pound Junior from Chicago. Coming out of Mount Carmel High School, Dupree committed to the Badgers as a four-star recruit, making him one of the few key returners from a year ago.
Through two seasons and 21 games played, Dupree has rushed for 680 yards and three touchdowns across 162 carries. He ended last season as the Badgers’ leading rusher with just 363 yards, but will be looking for a true breakout campaign in 2026.
Dupree maintains an impressive mix of size and athleticism, given his physical traits. He has flashed big-play ability, including an 84-yard score against Illinois last season; however, it is not as consistent as Badgers fans may like. As mentioned above, Dupree’s production is questionable, but there is reason to believe this is the year he takes the next step.
Dupree's 84-yard TD vs Illinois
Receivers
Chris Brooks Jr
Expected to be one of Wisconsin's featured wideouts this fall is the 6-2, 224-pound athlete out of St. Louis. Brooks enters his Fifth-Year as a Badger after committing to Madison as a three-star recruit out of St. Louis University High School.
Brooks' time at Wisconsin has not been perfect, dealing with limited playing time and undisclosed injuries that cost him his entire 2023 campaign. He was able to make his first real impact last season when he recorded 11 catches for 124 yards across 12 games played.
2026 is make-or-break for Brooks. This is his first shot to establish himself as a featured wideout in the Badgers offense. He possesses the ideal frame, athleticism, and physicality for an outside WR. However, he is yet to prove whether he can be an explosive threat and has also struggled with creating separation in the past. If this trend continues, he may wind up falling down the depth chart, in part due to Wisconsin’s depth at the position. For what it is worth, Brooks is one of the better blocking WRs in the country, a credit to his physicality.
Tyrell Henry
Likely starting out of the slot will be the former Michigan State transfer. The 6-0, 184-pound fifth-year out of Roseville High School in Michigan committed to the Spartans out of high school.
Henry impressed in flashes as a sophomore in 2023 at MSU when he finished the year with 24 catches for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Following the firing of Head Coach Mel Tucker, Henry opted to enter the transfer portal before he decided to commit to Wisconsin.
Henry’s first year in Madison in 2024 did not go to plan, dealing with an undisclosed injury that led him to redshirt the season. He was able to come back last year, appearing in 10 games, where he tallied five catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. Henry also contributed to special teams as a punt returner, totaling 87 yards across 10 return attempts.
The former Spartan's speed and explosiveness are two reasons he poses as a playmaking threat. However, he has not flashed this ability since his 2023 season in East Lansing. Henry does bring great versatility to his team, getting involved as a pass-catcher, rusher, and punt returner. Similar to Brooks, this will also be Henry’s first opportunity to establish himself in the Badgers offense; however, the room for error could be slim. Injuries each of the past two seasons are also cause for concern.
Eugene Hilton Jr.
Another threat outside for the Badgers is the son of four-time NFL Pro Bowl WR, Eugene (TY) Hilton. Hilton Jr., a sophomore, committed to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit out of Zionsville Community High School in Indiana.
Last season as a true freshman, the 6-2, 204-pound WR hauled in eight catches for 91 yards across 12 games played. With an increased role this fall, Hilton does offer potential big-play abilities with his frame and athleticism. However, he does have a tendency to lean on this athleticism and can become sloppy as a route runner. This is something that will need to be polished for Hilton to take the next jump in his career.
Jaylon Domingeaux
The most interesting, and most proven, receiver of this group is the Southeastern Louisiana (SELA) transfer. Domingeaux, a 6-3 and 211-pound senior, is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, where he attended Comeaux High School.
Across three seasons at SELA, Domingeaux recorded 106 receptions for 1,512 yards and 14 touchdowns in 36 games played. The big-play WR averaged 16.5 yards per catch and had eight separate games where he recorded at least one 30-plus yard reception last season.
Domingeaux brings great size for an outside WR and is also someone who has proven themselves at the college level to the Badgers WR room. His strong hands and body control should both translate to the FBS level. The most obvious question is how he handles the jump from FCS competition to facing strong FBS teams week in and week out. I would not expect his breakout party to come against Notre Dame’s elite secondary, but it should come at some point this fall. Additionally, Domingeaux does lack the elite speed necessary to beat DBs vertically.
Tight Ends
Jacob Harris
Wisconsin’s likely red-zone threat will be the 6-6, 265-pound Bowling Green (BGSU) transfer. Harris, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, committed to BGSU out of Westerville Central High School. Part of that decision was the fact that his father is a BGSU Football Hall of Famer, who notably was the second-ever college football player to record 40 career passing touchdowns and 40 career rushing scores. Harris’s mother is also in elite athletic territory as an Ohio State Hall of Famer who holds the indoor and outdoor program high jump records.
Harris played in 23 games during his last three seasons at BGSU, but he really broke out last year. Across 12 games played, the athletic TE recorded 19 catches for 182 yards and five touchdowns, the most among MAC TEs.
Harris brings great size, strong hands evidenced by contested catch abilities, a legit red zone presence, and athleticism to Madison. Blocking has been his weakness in the past, and I do not see those struggles going away as he makes the jump from the MAC to Big Ten competition. Additionally, he never showed he can handle the volume or production that comes with being a true TE1 during his time at BGSU.
Others to watch: Grant Stec & Ryan Schwendeman
Offensive Line
LT PJ Wilkins
One of two transfers on this starting OL unit is the nephew of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, PJ. The Senior lineman began his career at Charlotte, where he spent two seasons with the 49ers, before transferring to Ole Miss in 2025. Wilkins played in nine games last season with the Rebels, making two starts at guard. Despite being well-traveled, the 6-6, 335-pound lineman still has limited college experience, and even less at the tackle position. Wilkins does have the physical tools of an elite tackle, but expect a learning curve at the new spot. The Ole Miss transfer did flash as a reliable pass blocker across 98 pass rush opportunities last year, allowing just three pressures and no sacks. He does struggle with consistency in the run game. I do expect Notre Dame EDGE Boubacar Traore to have his way in this matchup as Wilkins adjusts to a full-time tackle role.
LG Colin Cubberly
Someone looking to make a leap this year is the 6-6, 325-pound Junior. Last season, Cubberly appeared in 11 games, making seven starts at RG. His move over to the left side this fall signals good versatility. Cubberly plays a very physical, nasty, and mean game. However, he is still developing. There were a lot of low moments last season, especially against better competition. Considering the strength of Notre Dame’s defense being up front, it could be a long week one for Cubberly.
C Austin Kawecki
In the middle, the Badgers added a much-needed veteran presence to this relatively inexperienced group. Kawecki, a 6-4 and 310-pound fifth-year, transferred to Wisconsin this offseason following four years at Oklahoma State. Last season, Kawecki started all 12 games for the Cowboys, 11 of those coming at Center.
Kawecki is a good pass blocker, as shown by his 12 pressures and two sacks allowed last season across 394 pass-block reps. The former Cowboy does struggle with the run, as he is rarely the most dominant or physically imposing guy in the room.
RG Emerson Mandell
The right side of this line is filled with injury questions at guard and tackle. Mandell, a 6-5 and 325-pound Junior, underwent foot surgery in the spring and missed the entirety of fall camp, with no update on his week one status at this time.
Last season, Mandell started all 12 games for the Badgers, with 11 of those starts coming at RT. He should benefit from moving back to his natural spot at guard, as he possesses an elite frame for the position. Mandell does provide starting experience and versatility to this OL unit. The Junior is a good, physical run-blocker; however, his pass protection did lack last season against more athletic DL. This could cause problems against an extremely athletic Irish front. I believe Mandell is a guy who will improve with more reps, and could be a very talented OL with some more consistency in the future.
RT Kevin Heywood
Another injury question coming into week one pertains to 6-9, 320-pound Junior, Kevin Heywood. In 2024, as a true freshman, Heywood appeared in all 12 games for the Badgers, doing most of his work on special teams. Unfortunately, he would miss his entire second year with a torn ACL. After being cleared for fall camp this season, Heywood suffered a lower-body injury (no other details) during the team’s second practice and missed the remainder of camp. It does appear to be another season-ending injury at this moment, but his status for week one is questionable.
While health remains a question, Heywood does have true breakout potential. He possesses an elite frame that looks like a run-blocking monster, and does have the pedigree of being a former four-star recruit. In his limited action, he displays good physicality and moves well for his size. If he does officially return to action in week one this season, Notre Dame will likely be seeing a rusty version of Heywood as he adjusts back from injury.
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