Wisconsin Fall Camp Preview: Five X-Factors

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin will open up fall camp at the end of the month in what is a critical season for head coach Luke Fickell, who enters year three at the helm. Here’s a look at five players who may not technically start, but could play a huge role for the Badgers and impact their overall record during the 2025 season.

Darrion Dupree – Running Back

During the spring, Wisconsin distributed carries fairly evenly between Dupree, Cade Yacamelli, and Dilin Jones. Dupree is the most exciting of the trio when the ball is in his hands. The sophomore has some real make-you-miss ability and is very dangerous as a receiver. One of the top instant impact true freshmen for the Badgers in 2024, Dupree worked his way up the depth chart and backed up Tawee Walker. He finished with 79 carries for 317 yards, including a touchdown against Rutgers on Nov. 12.

“I think he makes really good decisions when he has the ball in his hands,” running backs coach Devon Spalding stated. “His ability to be versatile in the passing game as well. He’s got a unique skillset, his ability to create separation, not only against linebackers, but against safeties too.”

Micheal Garner – Edge

The Badgers had just 17.0 sacks as a team in 2024, including just 6.5 sacks from its starting outside linebackers. The starters combined for just 2.0 sacks.

Garner appeared to be in line for a second-team job behind Corey Walker, but the Grambling State transfer should see plenty of snaps in 2025. A late bloomer in the class of 2023, Garner played two seasons for the Tigers, recording 2.0 sacks as a sophomore. A high-upside pass rusher, Garner has ridiculous size and length at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds. His flashes throughout spring were very consistent and Garner could help take UW’s revamped front seven to new heights with his ability to create havoc.

Charles Perkins – Defensive Line

It should either be Perkins or Jay’Viar Suggs next to Ben Barten this fall. Of all the transfers Wisconsin brought in during the off-season, Perkins might be my favorite. Perkins was a first-team All-OVC selection in 2024. As a sophomore, Perkins tallied 40.0 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a whopping 19 pressures in the middle at UT-Martin. A violent, tenacious presence in the middle, you can feel Perkins’ presence from up in the box.

“His personality is contagious,” defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow said. “He’s a guy that’s a sparkplug. He has a lot of energy, he has a lot of juice. Smile on his face every day he gets to come to work. “We talk about having a lot of passion for what you do, because the way you do one thing is the way you do everything. And his passion has definitely been a huge addition to the room.”

D’Yoni Hill – Cornerback

Wisconsin really needs a third perimeter cornerback to step up this fall. Hill comes over from Miami (FL), where he played in 12 games, including five starts in 2024. Hill would finish with 33 tackles and a pass breakup for the Hurricanes.

“D’Yoni is a hitter,” UW cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes said in the spring. “He ain’t afraid of contact. With corners, sometimes they just want to cover. The dude loves to hit. He’s played a lot of football. He played at Marshall. Played at Miami. There’s a lot of knowledge with the game of football.”

Sebastian Cheeks – Outside Linebacker

As a sophomore, Cheeks gave the Badgers 2.0 sacks as a reserve. Originally arriving at UW as an inside linebacker, Cheeks moved outside during fall camp. A transfer from North Carolina, Cheeks may not wow anybody with size, speed, or athleticism, but he’s got a knack for getting to the quarterback. Cheeks will back up Darryl Peterson for another season, but the former four-star recruit has earned a ton of trust from outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell.

“He’s got a sick get-off. Puts a lot of pressure on tight ends and tackles,” said Mitchell. “You would be pleasantly surprised with his physicality for his size. Sebastian is really good at the point of attack in the run game. Down the stretch there, he was able to affect the quarterback. The Minnesota loss was unacceptable, but he was able to affect the quarterback.”

Others: Tyrese Fearbry, Cade Yacamelli, Matt Jung, Jackson Acker, Emerson Mandell, Jackson McGohan, Mason Reiger