Junior Joe Brunner Walks on Senior Day, but the Wisconsin OL Says Don't Read Into It
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin honored 30 players ahead of its home finale against Illinois on Saturday as part of the senior day festivities. Among them was junior offensive guard Joe Brunner. With one year of eligibility remaining, Brunner’s decision to walk with a group that featured 28 seniors, which he cleared with head coach Luke Fickell ahead of time, raised some eyebrows. Brunner says, don’t read into it, but at the same time, he has not made a final decision on 2026.
“It’s tough. For me, I’ve been focusing on the season, and that’s all I’ve been focused on,” Brunner told reporters on Tuesday. “I wanted to participate in that, because I came in with a group of guys who I’m extremely close with, just about all of them are either out of eligibility or leaving, and I wanted to share that special day with them, but I haven’t put any thought into what’s going to happen after the season.
“Whatever happens happens, but I just want to share that moment.”
Brunner isn’t currently on any notable big boards, but that could change if he enters his name into the 2026 NFL Draft. According to Pro Football Focus, Brunner has posted a 63.2 overall grade this season. The Brunner has committed just one penalty all season and allowed eight pressures on 297 pass blocking snaps, with no sacks allowed.
Back to the decision to be honored on senior day, Brunner mentioned his roommates, Joey Okla and John Clifford as those he’s close with, as well as Riley Mahlman and Davis Heinzen.
“It was awesome. As a kid growing up in Wisconsin, being able to run out of that tunnel, in front of these fans, it’s special,” Brunner said. “With the guys that you love, that you come in and shed blood, sweat, and tears with.
“To share that moment with them, it’s special.”
A native of Whitefish Bay, Wis., Brunner is one of the highest-rated recruits for Wisconsin in program history. A Rivals Industry four-star prospect, Brunner was the nation’s seventh-ranked interior offensive lineman in the class of 2022. Brunner chose to stay home at Wisconsin over the likes of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Oregon, LSU, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami (FL), Iowa, and more.
Brunner originally committed to former head coach Paul Chryst, but stayed with the Badgers through the transition to Fickell for the past three seasons.
“He’s been one of those, kind of the rock behind things going on,” head coach Luke Fickell said Monday. “We have seen the ups and downs, but we kind of talk about what goes on inside that locker room. Joe’s been a rock. With that, I have the utmost respect for him.”
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Brunner has played in 38 games over the last four seasons. During that run, Brunner has started the last 23 games for Wisconsin, soon to be 24 on Saturday when the Badgers travel to Minnesota (6-5, 4-3) in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
“I feel like just yesterday we were coming in and living at the Regent in the summer, and moving in, and spending every night together,” said Brunner. “It’s been one Hell of a ride.”
