After missing a field goal against Indiana, dropping his season percentage down to 56%, it might be time for the Badgers to move on from kicker Nathanial Vakos.
Heading into the year, Vakos was coming off a down season in which he only converted 63% of his field goals. So far in 2025, things aren't looking any better, and head coach Luke Fickell admitted it might be time for a change.
[Gavin Lahm] could very well be an option," said Fickell on Monday. "By nature, Gavin has a little bit more pop in his leg, and if we were put in a situation that was maybe outside of Vakos' reach, he would be an option. I think it'll be one of those things this week we'll be able to create a bit of a competition and see what we need to do as we go into Saturday."
Badgers might roll out a new field goal kicker against Illinois
Lahm, a senior who had been primarily just a kickoff specialist in past years for the Badgers, might get his first chance at kicking field goals as Vakos' struggles continue. Vakos' conversion percentage has dropped each year, and now he's hit rock bottom at just 5-for-9 in 2025.
If Lahm were to become the new kicker, it would still preserve his redshirt since just two games remain. At 3-7, there's really no disadvantage for the coaching staff to see what they have in Lahm, who has already tried to enter the transfer portal once.
The Wisconsin offense is averaging just 12 points per game this season, and giving Lahm an opportunity could inject a little bit of life into the sputtering unit. It's been hard to to come by points, and the Badgers could use an sort of edge they can get down the stretch.