Bigger, Badder Wisconsin Defensive Front Vows to Stop the Run in 2025
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The old adage goes, ‘learn from it and move on.’ When it comes to Wisconsin’s 42-10 loss to Iowa last November, the Badgers are only doing one of those things. Putting in a new defensive scheme, addressing some needs in the transfer portal, and bulking up their current defensive line room, UW has learned its lesson from that Nov. 2 evening in Iowa City, where the Hawkeyes pounded their way to 329 rushing yards and only needed to pass the ball 10 times.
But they didn’t forget.
Every practice in the spring ended with 42 pushups, a constant reminder of the 42 points surrendered to Iowa. When the three incoming transfers — Jay’Viar Suggs, Parker Petersen, and Charles Perkins — arrived, the loss to Iowa and what took place in the trenches was among the first things relayed their way. To this day, that game is still being discussed.
“That’s the emphasis…stop the run,” said Suggs.
Typically one of the best run defenses in the Big Ten Conference, if not college football, Wisconsin ranked No. 90 in college football against the run (168.8 ypg) last season. The Badgers also finished No. 88 in rushing yards per attempt (4.6). The trophy games are where it really got rough for Wisconsin. In losses to Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, the Badgers gave up a combined 629 yards on the ground.
A year ago, UW’s roster featured three defensive linemen at 300 pounds or heavier. The Badgers now have nine of them heading into the Aug. 28 season opener against Miami (OH). Defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow also estimated he’s comfortable playing as many as eight players from his group this fall.
“We know we didn’t perform the back end of the season,” defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said. “Part of that was depth. Part of that was straight-up size compared to the other people we were lining up against. The other big one was, ‘When the going does get tough, how do we respond?”
Wisconsin also hopes its bigger, badder defensive front will lead to more negative plays. The Badgers were dead last (133) in tackles for loss per game (3.5) last season, including No. 120 in sacks per game (1.3). The lack of havoc plays behind the line of scrimmage was also detrimental to UW’s ability to create takeaways. As a team, the Badgers averaged just 1.1 turnovers per contest.
One of the biggest changes to the scheme was the implementation of edge rushers. UW will use the likes of Mason Reiger (6-5, 250), Corey Walker (6-5, 290), and Micheal Garner (6-6, 300) on the outside to create certain matchup problems.
“I think that our aggressive mindset is going to be significantly different,” Tressel said. “I think you’ll see that both in terms of how defense is called, but more so in terms of the way the guys are attacking. The belief, I think, is stronger than ever. I think that the size and depth that we’ve created up front will be significantly different and be a strength for us. We’ve got to not just be able to hold up. That’s not the mentality you can have.
“We have to be able to be on the attack.”
Perkins Can Be a Difference Maker for the Defensive Line
One of the most important additions for Wisconsin in the transfer portal was Perkins. A high-motor defensive lineman, Perkins came over from UT-Martin, where he was a first-team All-OVC selection as a sophomore. In the interior, Perkins put up a whopping 19 pressures and 40.0 tackles. At 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, Perkins has some intriguing explosion off the ball for his size.
“What he will bring to our defensive line is pretty great. He’s nasty, strong, but he’s quick too,” said junior left guard Joe Brunner. “He’s got a twitch to him you don’t see a lot. He can get off the line really well. He’s a great addition to the defensive line.”
The one thing everyone mentions with Perkins is his energy. If he’s not constantly running around and talking, Perkins’ teammates feel compelled to ask if something is wrong with him.
“I think his personality is gonna propel that whole room, especially, in the dog days of camp, with energy, effort, and attitude,” said senior outside linebacker Darryl Peterson. “I think it will be something that the group needs. It’s something they didn’t have a year ago. I think he’s a guy that kind of leads by his actions, and I’m excited for him. He’s done a great job throughout the winter and the summer, and he’s been the same person each and every single day.
“I can tell you that I think he’s gonna be great for us.”
J.J. Watt Lights a Fire
Before the team left for Platteville, former Wisconsin great and future NFL Hall of Famer J.J. Watt was a guest and spoke to the team. One of Watt’s biggest messages was about upholding the standard that was set by the players before them — something Watt flat out said this group hasn’t been doing. That “lit a fire” under the Badgers, especially the defensive line room, even those who weren’t on the team last season.
And they’re taking it personally.
“We gotta be dominant in the trenches. We gotta be the ones shoving the ball down Iowa’s throat,” Petersen.
Just a season ago, Wisconsin was an above-average run defense, ranking No. 35 nationally. Prior to the arrival of head coach Luke Fickell, the Badgers were top 10 nationally in run defense for three consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2022, including a No. 1 in 2021. In fact, UW finished top 10 against the run in six of the previous seven seasons and until 2024 hadn’t been outside the top 35 since 2011.
“The emphasis on stopping the run, accompanied with the history and culture of Wisconsin football, it’s always been very dominant in the trenches,” Petersen stated.
Early Returns Have UW Feeling Good
Looking across Wisconsin’s roster, every defensive lineman has packed on weight. Arguably the team’s strongest player, senior and projected starter Ben Barten, is now 330 pounds, up from 308 last season. Petersen added he was asked to add on about 10 pounds when he arrived and plays at 315. Senior Brandon Lane is listed 10 pounds heavier, while Perkins was listed at 300 pounds last season and is now pushing 325.
In UW’s 12 games last season, 11 foes ran for at least 100 yards. The one who didn’t, Purdue, hit 99 yards. For comparison, eight opponents hit the 100-yard rushing mark against the Badgers in 2023 and just five in 2022.
“Last year, (12) out of (12) teams ran the ball on that defensive line,” said Perkins. “You won’t see that this year. We’re not going for that.”
