If there was a bright spot during Wisconsin’s 4-8 campaign in 2025, it was the defense, especially when Mike Tressel embraced the youth movement led by Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. 

Despite the defense ranking No. 24 in the nation in total defense, it felt like there were some consistency issues. Obviously, that can be partially attributed to the lack of offense to maintain a drive and keep the defense off the field, but consistency will be a key in 2026, and Tressel knows it.

“We need to be consistently good, not occasionally great,” Tressel said to the media Friday.

It’s a mindset that Tressel is constantly reminding his players of, mentioning Cairo Skanes and Tyreese Fearbry on Friday, But it’s not just a few players who need to embody the mindset, it’s the entire defense. The offense has had good and bad days, but it feels safe to assume the defense will be this team’s standout unit.

Ideally, the offense finds it footing, but for now, there’s reason to trust this defense, so here's a few reasons why I think it can be both consistently good and occasionally great.

Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano

There’s not much to say here that hasn’t already been said, but having what could be the best linebacker duo in the conference, and one of the best in the country, is a luxury for Tressel. More importantly, however, the growth of the sophomores has been obvious during camp.

Both players have stuffed the run, got in the backfield, dropped into coverage and come down with interceptions and covered a ton of ground throughout camp. There’s not a spot on the field where either doesn’t look totally comfortable right now, and they’re only going to improve from what was already an exceptional closing stretch of their freshman year.

Improved secondary play

Last season, players had moments in the secondary, but even when things were going well, it felt like a mistake in the secondary was imminent, and the Badgers would pay for it.

In 2026, Wisconsin will allow some big plays — this isn’t one of the best secondaries in the country — but it will be significantly improved. 

Javan Robinson is a legitimate power-conference starter as a boundary corner, as is Marvin Burks at safety. Matt Jung seems years ahead of where he was a season ago when he was thrown into the fire as an injury-replacement, and Bryce West is producing as the nickel corner.

Even the one question mark in the secondary, field cornerback, isn’t one that has stood out in a negative way during camp. Both Eric Fletcher and Jai’mier Scott are making plays on a daily basis, and regardless of who starts, there’s upside.

Growth in the front seven

In addition to Posa and Catalano, there’s noticeable growth up front, especially along the defensive line.

Sebastian Cheeks had some big moments last year, and he’s stacked good days in camp, looking ready to be the top guy off the edge for a good defense. Opposite of him, Fearbry looks improved, and Nicolas Clayton has been unstoppable at times. Getting in the backfield will be a group effort, but there’s plenty to like on the edges.

On the interior, Charles Perkins has been the standout. He knew he’d have a bigger role this season, and he’s responded well. Between him, Hammond Russell, Junior Poyser, DeNigel Cooper, Nolan Vils, Dillan Johnson and others, at the very least, I trust the defensive line to be serviceable.

Overall depth

As I just mentioned, there’s plenty of interior defensive linemen who could have an impact, and the same goes for essentially every position room. 

Behind Posa and Catalano at linebacker, Jon Jon Kamara, Aaron Witt, Taylor Schaefer and Thomas Heiberger have all had dominant stretches and been used in a variety of defensive packages.

In addition to Cheeks, Clayton and Feabry on the edge, Justus Boone, Michael Garner and Jayden Loftin are among the others who have flashed game-ready abilities this fall.

Backing up Jung and Burks at safety, Carson Van Dinter has been everywhere, but Skanes, Grant Dean and Matthew Traynor have all made plays as well.

These players won’t all see the field on gameday, there’s simply not enough snaps to go around, but the depth has been on display throughout camp, and feels like a direct indicator of the increased financial investment in the roster from the program this offseason.