Where Wisconsin football's returning production ranks among Big Ten

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The Wisconsin Badgers will enter the 2026 season with new faces on both sides of the football.

The program was yet again busy in the transfer portal after a program-worst 4-8 2025 season. It added veteran starters at quarterback, running back, center, tight end, defensive line, cornerback and safety. Signal-caller Colton Joseph headlines the program's transfer haul; his play should go a long way toward deciding whether the team reaches its first bowl game in three seasons.

While Wisconsin's starting lineup has significant experience at key positions, the group as a whole sits in the middle of the pack in Bill Connelly's latest returning production numbers for the 2026 campaign. Specifically, the Badgers sit No. 35 nationally (No. 45 on offense, No. 46 on defense). That mark is good for tenth in the 18-team Big Ten Conference.

Luke Fickell and his coaching staff will look to translate a transfer-heavy lineup into on-field success, something he has been unable to do over the last two seasons.

The Badgers start their season against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sept. 6. They later open their Big Ten schedule with a road trip to Penn State on Sept. 26.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football depth chart returning production ranking Big Ten

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