Wisconsin Fall Camp Preview: Offensive Line

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin opens up fall camp on July 29 in what is a critical year three for head coach Luke Fickell. The Badgers return three starters on their offensive line, but the program will look to establish some much-needed depth ahead of the 2025 season…

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

First Team

LT: Davis Heinzen – Sr.

LG: Joe Brunner – Jr.

C: Jake Renfro – Sr.

RG: JP Benzschawel – Sr.

RT: Riley Mahlman – Sr.

Second Team

LT: Leyton Nelson – Jr.

LG: Colin Cubberly – Fr.

C: Kerry Kodanko – Sr.

RG: Emerson Mandell – Fr.

RT: Nolan Davenport – Fr.

Wisconsin returns three starters up front from a unit that was quietly one of the best in the country in a few key areas. The Badgers ranked top nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.0).

Brunner, Mahlman, and Renfro are an experienced trio who have all played together for a season and been around the block. A preseason All-Big Ten selection, Mahlman has started the last 31 games for the Badgers at right tackle. After missing nearly two years due to injury, Renfro has started the last 13 games at center for UW. Meanwhile, Brunner started all 12 games for the Badgers at left guard in 2024.

The addition of Heinzen also brings a veteran presence up front. A Central Michigan transfer, Heinzen started the last 36 games for the Chippewas. A native of Manitowoc, Heinzen actually began his career as a tight end.

“The strides he’s taken, you can tell he’s poised, confident, respectful,” said senior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a Maryland transfer. “He has all the right characteristics. His head’s on very straight. He’s played a lot of football. He’s learning the offense, coming on great.”

NUMBER TO KNOW – 3.15

Wisconsin had one of the best offensive line units last season when it came to protecting the quarterback. The Badgers ranked No. 10 in FBS, giving up a sack on just 3.15 percent of their passing snaps. That mark also ranked sixth among all power-four teams. Impressively, UW did that without having a real mobile threat under center who could bail himself out of trouble.

YOUNGSTER TO WATCH

Couple of different ways you could go, but Mandell is likely the underclassman who could shake up the lineup the most. Mandell is one of the top young players on the roster right now. A former four-star recruit, Mandell didn’t appear in any games for the Badgers as a true freshman, but was right in the thick of things for a starting job in the spring.

“Emerson’s football IQ has grown,” offensive line coach A.J. Blazek said. “He plays fast in there with those guys. He might be the most explosive guy in the whole unit as far as dent, line of scrimmage movement. He’s a guy, his confidence, he had to know, ‘You’re good enough to play with these guys.’ For a young guy, when he knows you believe in him, he’s hitting it running.

“His mistakes have gone down and his physicality has gone up.”

POTENTIAL SURPRISE

I have Kodanko slotted to be the backup center, but in spring ball, he was right in the thick of things at right guard. Kodanko opened last season as Wisconsin’s No. 2 center, and probably still has a role there if needed. While he primarily worked in at special teams in 2024, Kodanko was asked to use his extra year of eligibility and return for a sixth season.

2025 FORECAST

Edwards said during Big Ten Media Days he thought the offensive line was 10-11 deep. I definitely don’t go that far. Benzschawel was banged up spring. I would assume Wisconsin is really hoping he takes the reins at right guard. If that comes to fruition, the Badgers should have a solid starting five, but the depth is a big question mark.

With Barrett Nelson likely to miss all of fall camp, I would venture that Brunner is the backup left tackle all season. Mandell could also slide out there as well, per Fickell. The freshman trio of Davenport, Mandell, and Cubberly has shown promise…but they’re freshmen and none of them has played a snap yet.

If Blazek can re-create his magic of 2024 when he used the same starting lineup in all 12 games and almost completely avoided injuries, Wisconsin should be fine. However, that feels like lightning striking twice.

Thought it was a very good spring for the unit collectively. Buying into the violent, downhill run scheme, this group did quite a bit of damage in the trenches. Is it the mean, old-school, nasty offensive line that dominated people up front? Probably not, but it’s a solid group who should take care of the teams they’re supposed to take care of and potentially hang with the big boys this season.