After another lackluster season for the Wisconsin Badgers' offensive line, second-year coach AJ Blazek was let go by Luke Fickell. In stepped Eric Mateos, who served as Arkansas’ offensive line coach the last two seasons. Mateos’ task was to rebuild an offensive line that was part of one of the worst offenses in all of FBS last season.
So far, Mateos sounds ready for the challenge.
Honored to steward the legendary OL room at Wisconsin. It’s going to get very gritty. 🦡 https://t.co/Tecl0z98Og
— Eric Mateos 🦡 (@CoachMateos) December 12, 2025
Pinch myself every day 🦡 pic.twitter.com/DaYcOPbLm0
— Eric Mateos 🦡 (@CoachMateos) March 21, 2026
In Mateos’ own words: “Every coach has things they believe in and plays and X's and O’s. But it’s really the Jimmys and Joes doing it. This is what our players are better at, so let’s do that.”
Let’s talk about those Jimmys and Joes on the offensive line.
New offensive line coach Mateos leads a revamped Wisconsin O-Line.
At the center spot, it starts with Oklahoma State graduate transfer Austin Kawecki. Kawecki comes to Madison after starting all twelve games for the Cowboys last season, with 11 at center and one at right guard. According to Dillon Graff of Badgernotes, Kawecki’s specialty is pass protection, while his run-blocking is a work in progress.
At the guard positions, Arkansas transfer Blake Cherry, Colin Cubberly, and Emerson Mandell are all fighting for first-team spots. Cubberly, who started seven games last year at right guard, is expected to land one of the starting spots. Mandell is another projected starter, but he’s missed spring practice due to foot surgery. Fickell expects Mandell to be ready for Week 1, but his health will be worth monitoring this summer.
At the tackle positions are former Charlotte and Ole Miss lineman P.J. Wilkins and former four-star recruit Kevin Heywood. Wilkins comes to Madison having played primarily as an interior offensive lineman, but has now emerged as Wisconsin’s top left tackle. The reason? He has the quick feet and wide wingspan to take on the position, according to offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. On the other side, Heywood, a projected starter for 2025, missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
If there is one position group Luke Fickell and the Badgers must get right, outside of the quarterback spot, this is it. A hallmark spot of past successful Wisconsin football teams has gone down the tubes over the last two seasons. So far, Mateos has brought in the energy, passion, and even a new “detail-oriented approach”, according to Heywood, that was lacking last season. Let’s hope it translates into success on the field.
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