Wisconsin isn't scared to play freshmen, and now with the new 5-in-5 rule across the NCAA, there's no reason to hold freshmen back. Last season there were two breakout stars for the Badgers that not only forced their way onto the field but became two of the best defensive players for Wisconsin. Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano were just far too good to keep on the sideline; they bypassed upperclassmen to steal away jobs. Who can be that this season?
It's hard to predict because recruiting stars aren't always relevant right away, but here are three players who could find their way into playing time in 2026 as true freshmen. We also should note that some of the top 2026 recruits were linemen (defense and offense), and both of those positions are hard to play as freshmen, as they need to get bigger, stronger, and more experienced.
Also, let's not include the two JUCO recruits that have come in: RB Julius Pope and LB Taylor Schaefer, for neither will be true freshmen in the traditional sense.
1. Yahya Gaad - EDGE
Gaad is an intriguing edge rusher that Wisconsin worked hard to get. He originally committed to UCLA and found his way to Wisconsin. He had a ton of other interest from top college programs, but Luke Fickell got him to be a Badger. Edge is one of the easier positions to break into as a freshman because it's rotational, and effort often wins the day. Gaad is already built like a Big Ten edge rusher at 6'4 and 260 pounds.
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2. Carson Eloms - Cornerback
Another position that freshmen can break into is if they show the skillset and pick up the defense quickly. Eloms was an early enrollee, like Gaad, and has a bit of a head start. In high school, he was also a track star, and Wisconsin may have him play some minutes early due to his ability to race down the field.
Eloms was a 3-star recruit and has NFL blood in his family, with one of his relatives, Joey Eloms, playing defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks.
It also helps that the Badgers are in need of defensive backs, and the true freshmen last year showed some promise, but not enough to guarantee a job. If Eloms can prove his worth, he could pass them quickly.
Related: The top returning leaders for Wisconsin in tackles may be a little surprising
3. Keeyshawn Tabuteau - Wide receiver
This one may be the most exciting, and a player who was already getting some reps in spring with the ones and twos. The wide receiver room has a pretty big logjam and a ton of transfers and others competing for spots. Yet, at the same time, that's a good thing for Tabuteau; there are no guaranteed starters at wide receiver. The Badgers are almost returning zero production. Or at least it feels that way.
Tabuteau was an impressive player in high school, but was buried a little bit in the recruiting ranks due to being across the border in Canada.
Of course everyone wants to see Ryan Hopkins, and he's a great candidate too. They may need to work in some packages for him, but that would be all in his freshmen season.
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