Wisconsin's Top Rated Players in EA Sports College Football 26
EA Sports College Football ’26 dropped on Monday, revealing roster ratings for each FBS program. Here are the top 10 rated players for the Wisconsin Badgers in the initial update…
Ricardo Hallman – 90 Overall
Hallman is Wisconsin’s top-rated player in EA Sports College Football 26. The senior cornerback has appeared in 37 games over his career. As a junior, Hallman had 16.0 tackles and four passbreakups. Due to his stellar sophomore campaign in which he led the nation with seven interceptions, Hallman was targeted just 33 times in 2024, the fewest by any cornerback in the country with at least 300 coverage snaps.
Riley Mahlman – 89 Overall
A four-year starter in 2025, Mahlman has started the last 31 games of his career. Ten, boasting an overall grade of 76.0. Mahlan surrendered two sacks on 405 pass blocking snaps in 2024.
Preston Zachman – 88 Overall
Zachman enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, recording 58.0 tackles, two interceptions, three tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. Zachman started all 12 games for the Badgers as well. Over his career, Zachman has made 17 starts and appeared in 32 games for Wisconsin.
Nyzier Fourqurean – 87 Overall
Fourqurean started all 12 games for the Badgers in 2024, posting an impressive 51.0 tackles from the cornerback position. The 51 stops ranked third among Big Ten Conference cornerbacks. Fourqurean also posted one interception. Since transferring in from Division 2 Grand Valley State in 2023, Fourqurean has appeared in 24 games for Wisconsin, including 17 starts.
Austin Brown – 86 Overall
Brown appeared in 12 games, including eight starts for Wisconsin in 2024. He finished with 51.0 tackles, three pass breakups, and one sack from the safety position. Also the Badgers’ backup nickel cornerback, Brown had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a junior. An instant impact performer for UW as a true freshman, Brown has already appeared in 38 games over the last three seasons.
Jake Renfro – 85 Overall
Returning from injury, Renfro started all 12 games for Wisconsin in 2024 and has started the last 13, going back to the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU. A transfer from Cincinnati, Renfro missed the entire 2022 season and all but one game in 2023. In 2021, he was a first-team All-AAC pick for the Bearcats.
Joe Brunner – 84 Overall
Brunner, a junior, moved into a starting role last season, getting the nod in all 12 games for the Badgers. He logged a 77.8 pass blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked third among all guards in the Big Ten. Over the past three seasons, Brunner has appeared in 27 games.
Lance Mason – 82 Overall
Mason was a mid-year transfer addition for Wisconsin. Coming over from FCS Missouri State, Mason caught 34 passes for 590 yards and six touchdowns en route to FCS third-team All-American honors. Over the past three seasons, Mason owns 56 receptions, 800 receiving yards, and eight scores.
Cade Yacamelli – 82 Overall
As a reserve, Yacamelli contributed 274 yards and two touchdowns at running back. Averaging a team-best 8.3 yards per carry, Yacamelli did not take a carry for Wisconsin in their final five games of the season. Promised a bigger role in 2025, Yacamelli figures to be a consistent and key contributor to the backfield.
Vinny Anthony/Darrion Dupree – 82 Overall
Anthony might be the most underrated player on Wisconsin’s roster. Leading the Badgers in receiving last season, Anthony almost came out of nowhere to put up 532 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions. His 17.2 yards per catch was the most by a UW player since Brandon Williams in 2005.
Dupree emerged as UW’s No. 2 tailback roughly midway through his true freshman season. He finished with 317 yards and a touchdown on 79 carries.
Other Notable Ratings: Billy Edwards – 81, Dilin Jones – 79, Dekel Crowdus – 80, Christian Alliegro – 79, Mason Reiger – 78, Geimere Latimer Jr. – 77, Davis Heinzen – 76, Trech Kekahuna – 76
