Wisconsin bye week grades: The LB duo of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano is lethal

Much has been said about the Wisconsin Badgers offense in the midst of the 2026 season, and rightfully so. The strides the unit has made have been a huge factor in the team’s success. That said, the pillar of the team has been the defense, and more specifically, the linebackers.

The unit was expected to be the team’s strongest point in the preseason, and thus far, it has lived up to the hype and then some. Even with some injuries shaking up the room at times, whoever has played has played well, with two anchors in particular.

Overall Grade: A+

By now, every Badger fan is likely well aware of just how good the sophomore duo of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano is. The pair have already combined for 85 total tackles this year, while Posa adds an interception and Catalano adds a scoop-and-score touchdown.

Both rank in the top 10 in PFF grades among linebackers in all of college football, and one could make a very fair argument that they are the best linebacker duo in the country. Even more important, the two have reshaped the culture of the Wisconsin defense, making an instant impact after getting their first shot at playing last season.

Behind the dynamic duo, guys like Jon Jon Kamara and Thomas Heiberger have proven themselves to be capable backups, filling in and making a positive impact when given the chance. Heiberger, in particular, was a big-time impact player in the reps that Posa missed due to injury.

It’s hard to really point out how the unit can improve in its entirety, largely due to the fact that arguably the two best players on the entire roster already hold down the two starting spots. One could argue that early in the year, Posa was playing a bit too passively, but as time has gone on, he has turned into the exact big-play threat the team needed.

Catalano is a bit lighter than ideal for the position, but his speed and agility are arguably his superpowers, so asking him to tack on a ton of weight could limit his impact, particularly in coverage.

In simple terms, the unit is nearly flawless and the backbone of a strong Badger defense.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow