Two Badgers Make Top 100 Freshman List

247 Sports came out with their Top 100 Impact Freshman list for 2024 and included are two Badgers who they believe could have a big influence on the season.

Offensive tackle Kevin Heywood and linebacker Thomas Heiberger were the two selected in no particular order in the group of 100.

Regarding Heywood's selection they said,

Heywood is a massive prospect at 6-foot-8, 312 pounds and immediately impressed upon his arrival earlier this year. Heywood is capable of lining up at multiple spots along the line of scrimmage but projects as a long term tackle. He fared well there this spring, to the point it wouldn't be a surprise to see him open the season as the program's second-team left tackle.

Heywood was a four-star recruit out of Pennsylvania and the number four overall tackle in his class as well as one of the highest rated recruits ever for Wisconsin. With Riley Mahlman and Jack Nelson holding a firm grasp on the starting tackle jobs, Heywood may only get a chance in the event of an injury. But you can believe that if he gets an opportunity, he'll make the most of it.

Regarding Heiberger,

There aren't a lot of true freshmen in the mix for playing time in Madison, but Heiberger is someone who's stood out since he arrived this winter. A "freak" athlete for his size — 37.5-inch vertical, 11.12-second 100-meter dash, 38-foot shot put — Heiberger has the physical tools to at worst help out right away on special teams and at best crack the two-deep of a linebacker rotation that was shaky in 2023. 

Heiberger is another four-star recruit who hails from South Dakota. He was the number 33 linebacker in the country. He's sure to play on special teams, but with a slew of linebacker transfers injected into the roster this year Heiberger will have to fight for playing time on defense. Still, there's never a bad time to have the best athlete on the field in the game.

Hopefully these two true freshman can live up to the hype and make an impact on the Badgers' 2024 season.