As Fall camp marches on, we’re getting a better taste of who the most valuable Wisconsin Badgers will be for the 2026 season. Last week, we kicked off our top 14 with Nos. 14-8, along with a couple of honorable mentions.
Now, let’s shift our attention to the top Badgers on the team.
While there are no shockers on this list, I still show my work to justify why each guy is slotted where they are. For what it’s worth, this is a significantly stronger top seven than the one I would have rolled out a year ago.
No. 7: S Marvin Burks, Jr
I have a fairly long memory and need to be real about the 2025 safety room: It wasn’t good enough. Enter Missouri transfer Marvin Burks Jr., who brings his experienced and hard-hitting SEC skill set to Madison.
This is probably a floor riser more than ceiling, but I feel very confident that Burks will give defensive coordinator Mike Tressell not only a higher level of play at the position, but also more options. This was a really good transfer portal add.
No. 6: OT Kevin Heywood
Moving to the other side of the line, we find Heywood, who is unquestionably talented, but has been saddled with terrible injury luck at Wisconsin, most notably an ACL tear in the spring of 2025. Seeing Heywood gimpy on the sidelines during what is a hugely important fall camp for him as far as reps is suboptimal.
But this isn’t a long-term injury. When he’s healthy, Heywood’s performance will go a long way in determining Wisconsin’s offensive ceiling, especially in the run game.
No. 5: LB Cooper Catalano
Yes, his partner in crime Mason Posa gets more hype, but the reality is: Catalano has the opportunity to be the anchor/heart and soul of this defense in much the same way that Chris Borland was many moons ago.
With a heavy motor and outstanding technique, Catalano is a prime example of a home-grown Wisconsin kid getting to live out his dream in Camp Randall.
With even modest improvements from 2026, he should be one of the squad’s most valuable performers each and every game for a position group that seems primed to be the best on this team.
No. 4: C Austin Kawecki
Given the shotgun snapping follies that have commenced anew at camp for anyone not named Kawecki, I contend that this transfer portal add from Oklahoma State is even more important to the Badgers’ fortunes than we thought he was.
Sturdy, steady, and smart, Kawecki doesn’t need to be All-Big Ten for Mateos, but remaining healthy will be massively important for a guy who was handed the starting job the day he signed with the Badgers. Fingers crossed.
No. 3: CB Javan Robinson
While much has been made of the increased talent and competition in the Badgers’ cornerback room in fall camp, let’s not lose the plot: Robinson, a rock-solid and experienced talent from Arizona State, is the cornerstone.
The fact that he’s very much looked the part makes me even more confident that the position will be a strength this season rather than a throbbing weakness, which it has been for some time. New cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples should help, too.
No. 2: LB Mason Posa
It’s a testament to the raw importance of the individual who sits at the top spot on this list that Posa is anything but No. 1. Posa is simply a beast.
Extremely talented and hard-working, with an off-the-charts motor, he will make things miserable for many an opposing offense this fall. And the scariest thing for other teams is the fact that he’s only a true sophomore.
No. 1: QB Colton Joseph
No big shock here. Joseph will be front and center as far as any success the 2026 Badgers have. He won’t need to be a star, but the fleet-footed transfer will have to stay healthy and limit mistakes for Wisconsin to approach its ceiling.
The good news is it seems Joseph still has room for significant growth, especially as a passer. A lot has been made in camp about the play of younger quarterbacks, but by all accounts, Joseph has very much looked the part of a starter. Now he needs to do that against Notre Dame.