Badgers star offensive lineman expected to start, another ruled out for Sunday

Badgers star offensive lineman expected to start, another ruled out for Sunday

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Badgers star offensive lineman expected to start, another ruled out for Sunday
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 05: Wisconsin running back Cade Yacamelli (25) gets some help from Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Heywood (55) on his way to a fourth and 1 30 yard touchdown run during a college football game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue University Boilermakers on October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Wisconsin Badgers got some big news on Sunday morning, as star offensive lineman Kevin Heywood is expected to play against the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, according to 247Sports’s Nick Osen.

Assuming all goes well during warmups, Heywood is expected to start at right tackle and be the guy there for the Badgers in Week 1, as he worked his way back into practice this week with the top offense.

The same can’t be said for Emerson Mandell, who is expected to miss Week 1, although it doesn’t seem like he’s far out from returning either. It feels like Augustana transfer Stylz Blackmon will get the start at right guard, but he and Arkansas transfer Blake Cherry are both options and could both play in the game.

Heywood had gotten hurt in the second practice of fall camp and was limited for the past month, as he’d been working his way back from injury. There had been hesitancy from head coach Luke Fickell to deem him ready as training camp was coming to an end, as the Badgers had hoped he’d get into practice by the end of camp.

But it seems like the right tackle got into the mix this week and has cleared the necessary hurdles to play in a major opportunity against Notre Dame. He should be a big help on the edge as Wisconsin’s offensive line takes on a tough battle.

We’ll see if Wisconsin ends up rotating Heywood with Florida State transfer Lucas Simmons-Johansson or if he’s able to go with no limitations. Simmons-Johansson has been playing in Heywood’s place after initially rotating in at left tackle during fall camp.

Mandell, on the other hand, has been slower in his recovery from offseason foot surgery, as he missed the start of training camp and his timeline seemed a bit delayed from there. But the Badgers need him for the full season, and it sounds like he shouldn’t be out for too long, with Wisconsin facing Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan the next two weeks.

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