After yesterday taking a look at players who could break into Wisconsin football, today I’m looking exclusively at the juvenile players on the roster. I will be specifically looking at freshmen and sophomores (including redshirts). I really like the younger players on the Wisconsin football team. Although this season will feature mostly upper-class players, I think there are four juvenile players who can make an immediate impact on the team.
Young Wisconsin Football contributors: Tackett Curtis – center back
If you’ve been following Tackett Curtis’ recruiting, you know he was one of the most sought-after linebackers in the 2023 class. 247 Sports ranked Curtis as the 12th overall linebacker and 146th overall player in the 2023 class. Curtis committed to USC last year season, but transferred to Wisconsin in the offseason. As a freshman, Curtis recorded 40 tackles and two sacks. That’s pretty good for a true freshman.
The portal ranked Curtis as the third-best linebacker. This was a great victory for Wisconsin football. The linebacker group is deep and talented, but I think Curtis will get reps this year and start playing in the starting lineup starting in 2025.
Joe Brunner – offensive line
If you’ve been reading my work over the past week, you know that I’m a huge fan of Joe Brunner. I’m a little surprised that his reps on the offensive line were confined his first two years at UW. Something like this shouldn’t happen this season.
Brunner was a right fielder during spring training. Brunner was a very good guard from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and a valued recruit for the Wisconsin football program. I think Brunner has the NFL on him. Wisconsin football fans should be excited to see him on a regular basis starting this year.
Trech Kekahuna – Wide Receiver
Kekahuna has the ability to be a very good playmaker. An injury robbed him of almost an entire year last season, but he was able to bowl. In the ReliaQuest Bowl, Kekahuna had four catches for 64 yards against LSU.
I’m not sure what stats we’ll see from Trech this year, but I expect solid repeats from him. He has talent and the coaching staff delights him. Will Pauling will dominate this year, but Kekahuna could replace him as soon as next year if Pauling makes it to the NFL.
Kevin Heywood – offensive line
True freshmen are typically not ready to play offensive tackle in college football. Heywood won’t start this year with the return of Jack Nelson, but I don’t see Heywood changing his jersey. I think he’s already one of the best linemen on the Wisconsin football team.
He’s a player who will likely only play three seasons at Wisconsin, but I’d be shocked if we didn’t see Heywood in some packages this year and in the postseason. He will be Wisconsin’s starting left tackle through at least the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
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