Ranking the most valuable Badgers in 2026: No. 30 to No. 21

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40 days out from playing against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish inside Lambeau Field, the Wisconsin Badgers are on the cusp of a program-defining year. 

It’ll be head coach Luke Fickell’s fourth year as the lead man in Madison. When Fickell first came to Wisconsin in 2022, so did lofty expectations of what the program could achieve with him at the helm. But a 17-21 record in three seasons has left Wisconsin as a shell of the program it once was. 

2026 may be Fickell’s last chance to prove he’s the right man for the job, especially with the increased financial investment into the program and the arrival of a new Athletic Director.

In order for the Badgers to right the ship, they’ll need to find out who the most valuable players are on their roster. For this ranking, value will be defined by how much a player’s absence would impact Wisconsin’s chances of winning. 

No. 30: QB Deuce Adams

If there’s anything to take away from Fickell’s time at Wisconsin, it’s that the quarterback position can make-or-break a season. Injuries to Tyler Van Dyke and Billy Edwards Jr. left the Badgers without their week one starter for the majority of the past two seasons. 

While Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph is the clear choice for the starting job, Wisconsin is now very familiar with the importance of depth at the quarterback position. 

Louisville transfer Deuce Adams comes into the program in a battle with freshman Ryan Hopkins for the QB2 spot. Adams edges out Hopkins on the list due to his prior experience in college football, even if that only amounts to one start against SMU in 2025. 

No. 29: S Carson Van Dinter

Continuing the trend of transfer portal additions, Kaukauna native Carson Van Dinter brings depth to the safety position. Marvin Burks Jr. looks poised to take the starting spot, but Van Dinter comes into Wisconsin looking to make the most of his opportunity.

His game time with the Cyclones was limited to 180 snaps, but he made an instant impact in his first career start. Six tackles and a pass deflection against Kansas showcased Van Dinter’s physicality, which will prove vital in the Big 10. The former three-star recruit is still only a redshirt sophomore as well, giving him time to develop his game in Madison.

No. 28: OLB Justus Boone

Sixth-year linebacker Justus Boone comes to Wisconsin looking to end his collegiate career on a high note. Playing in 12 games and starting in three, Boone totaled 28 tackles and three quarterback hurries for Arkansas in 2025. 

His level of play at a program like Arkansas gives him the nod over Hope College transfer Liam Danitz, who had a monster year coming into Madison. Boone will have to prove his value in practice and in-game, or Danitz could easily see some playing time as well. 

No. 27:  DL Jake Anderson

Defensive lineman Jake Anderson brings the most playing experience out of anyone in this range. Anderson started 17 games for Illinois State during their FCS National Championship run, raking in three sacks and a forced fumble on the year. 

At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Anderson provides Wisconsin with high-level size inside the defensive line. The Badgers had a solid year in stuffing the run game in 2025, ending the season with an average of 105.25 rushing yards allowed per game, fourth-best in the Big 10. Anderson will be a key depth piece in continuing that trend for 2026. 

No. 26: WR Shamar Rigby

Wisconsin’s wide receiver room is undoubtedly one of its biggest question marks heading into 2026. The departures of Vinny Anthony II, Lance Mason and Trech Kekahuna leave the Badgers without their top three targets from last season. 

Shamar Rigby comes from Oklahoma State as one of the potential options for Joseph at wideout. The junior got limited run with the Sooners last season, totalling 25 receptions for 351 yards and a touchdown. 

On the field, Rigby could be used in a similar role that Kekahuna had for Wisconsin during his tenure. Kekahuna was known for his speed and posing as a deep threat at times, with Rigby’s 6-foot-4 frame offering even more possibilities for down-the-field plays in 2026.

No. 25: RB Bryan Jackson II

Fickell’s tenure at Wisconsin has seen the program move away from the running game that defined its identity for decades. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes helped land three transfer running backs this transfer cycle to help bring back the rush attack, with Jackson presenting a power-back option to the Badgers.

At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Jackson’s a tough back to tackle for any defender. USC used Jackson sparingly, only handing him the ball 36 times for 123 yards. Four touchdowns last season in mainly short-yardage snaps do showcase his ability to get the extra inch, so expect Grimes to bring Jackson in on third-down and goal-line situations often. 

No. 24: DL Charles Perkins 

The Badgers will be bringing Perkins back for his second season in Madison, where he was mainly a depth piece in 2025. Despite the lack of significant playing time, the redshirt senior showed flashes of the production he could provide on the defensive line, particularly against Indiana.

With four tackles and two TFL’s on the road in Bloomington, Perkins put on a noteworthy performance against the eventual National Champions. Junior Poyser is expected to be the starting defensive tackle for Wisconsin, but Perkins gives the Badgers the ability to rotate as needed. 

No. 23: OL Ryan Cory

Redshirt sophomore Ryan Cory was a victim of the chaotic week-to-week shuffle that Wisconsin experienced on its offensive line in 2025. 

Appearing in four games and making one start against Maryland, Cory will need to be prepared if projected starter Austin Kawecki needs a replacement. He has experience being thrust into games on a fly, which may ease the minds of the Badger fans and the coaching staff. 

No. 22: CB Bryce West

The former Ohio State cornerback comes into Madison with some real buzz surrounding his potential. A former four-star recruit coming out of Cleveland, Ohio, West can certainly carve out a role for himself in the Badger secondary this season. 

With a 5-foot-11 frame and weighing in at 200 pounds, West could slide into the nickel back slot for Wisconsin. He did lack significant in-game reps with the Buckeyes last season, only totalling 91 snaps. But his performance in Ohio State’s regular season finale against Rutgers displayed why Wisconsin was so eager to land him in the transfer portal.

West reeled in 10 tackles and forced a fumble against the Scarlet Knights, ending the regular season well and offering a little taste of what he can do in Badger Red. 

No. 21: S Matthew Jung

Jung comes into his redshirt senior year with a solid foundation to build upon. His 2025 season was a bright spot in a year full of disappointments, as the 6-foot-3 safety played in all 12 games for the Badgers and started in eight. 

With the fifth-most tackles on the team at 50, Jung proved to be reliable in 1-on-1 tackling situations. Despite not snagging any interceptions last season, his 16 picks during his time at Bethel prove his ability to also be a pass coverage threat.

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