Arguably Wisconsin's top defensive player, Sebastian Cheeks, is ruled out versus Maryland on Saturday. The reports out of Wisconsin are that Cheeks is banged up, and it's not a long-term designation but more of a week-to-week stint. Either way, he won't go against Maryland and is already listed on the Big Ten availability report as "OUT."
Now that Cheeks is unable to go, this presents opportunities for other players to step up and not only absorb his reps but also show their own set of skills. Here are three players who will need to take advantage of this opportunity:
Wisconsin outside linebacker Sebastian Cheeks is out for the game against Maryland.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) November 14, 2026
He got dinged up at practice Thursday, but it’s not expected to be a long-term injury. Cheeks has been outstanding this season and leads the team in tackles for loss (9) and sacks (7).
1. Nicholas Clayton
Luke Fickell and Matt Mitchell will most likely turn to a committee behind Cheeks, which is why we may see more than one player step into the gaping hole. The player many fans would love to see explode onto the scene without Cheeks is Clayton. He's a sophomore with a ton of potential and is basically waiting his turn along the edge.
He's a force on special teams but has also been part of the edge unit this season. Clayton has 10 tackles and two sacks. Besides Cheeks, Clayton has the highest sack yardage among the edges, even if he has fewer tackles.
2. Tyreese Fearbry
Related: Wisconsin football barely avoids FAA shutdown thanks to leaving Madison just in time
Fearbry is probably the player who will get the most opportunities without Cheeks as the senior player behind Him. He already gets a good share of reps, but this may increase his load. He's leading the edges in tackles behind Cheeks with 18 but has yet to get home and sack the quarterback.
He's a player that He's a player who knows the role and is still looking for his chance to get his hands on the quarterback.knows the role and is still looking for his chance to get his hands around the quarterback. Look for this to be a game in which he can show his toolbox.
3. Justus Boone
The other exciting young edge on the team is the transfer from Tennessee, Justus Boone. Also, a sophomore with a ton of potential but hasn't yet had many opportunities. What he has had, he's worked to take advantage of, with 14 tackles (12 of them solo) but no sacks. He has a similar motor to Cheeks, and his athleticism is already there, but the technique and experience are a work in progress.
This is a game in which Boone can show he's next in line for the edge throne after Mason Reiger had it last year, and now Cheeks has it this season. Boone or Clayton may be the next two in line.
It will most likely be one of these three, or hopefully a combination of all three. It's hard to replace a player like Cheeks, but these three players have to give it a go.
Add us as a preferred source on Google