The defense will need to take a big step forward in 2025.
The Wisconsin Badgers’ defense last year was an ineffective group that ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten. Mike Tressel’s unit ranked dead last in the Big Ten with 42 tackles for loss and tied Purdue with intercepting a mere four passes in 2025. In addition, the Badgers finished tied for second-to-last in forced fumbles (4) and 15th in the conference with 37 passes deflected.
Like the offense, Wisconsin’s defense will also have an influx of new transfers that should make for a more dynamic, play-making unit. Here are the five most important Badgers on defense for the 2025 season.
Christian Alliegro
Alliegro came on late in the season in November as a tackling machine at the linebacker position. Despite the Badgers’ overall porous effort against Iowa, Alliegro finished with 16 total tackles, the most of any Wisconsin defender all season. He also finished tied for the team lead with Elijah Hills with three sacks on the season.
Athlon Sports has three Wisconsin Badgers in its pre-season Big Ten Third-Team Defense: Alliegro, Preston Zachman, and Ricardo Hallman (more on them later). Alliegro has shown flashes as a pass rusher and run stopper. If he can improve on his coverage skills, he can become one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten.
Preston Zachman
The top-tackler and unquestioned leader of the defense, Hunter Wohler, is now in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. Therefore, the Badgers need someone to step up at the safety position. Zachman, who had two of Wisconsin’s four interceptions in 2024, must become a leader in the secondary.
Last year, Zachman received an 80.3 overall defensive rating by Pro Football Focus. That was second on the team behind former Badger defensive back Xavier Lucas. He’ll be one of the lone returning starters, providing stability on the backend in 2025.
Ricardo Hallman
Hallman’s draft stock after the 2023 season was on an upward trajectory. He was a third-team All-American with seven interceptions on the season. Big things were expected for the star cornerback from Florida.
Unfortunately, that never materialized, as Hallman failed to collect a single interception in 2024. Despite this, the Badgers got a significant boost in the secondary when Hallman announced that he would return to Madison for another season. Hallman’s return comes at a time when the secondary experienced high turnover this offseason.
Corey Walker
Like the secondary, the defensive line experienced some turnover as Curt Neal, Hank Weber, and James Thompson Jr. entered the transfer portal. Elijah Hills, arguably the most solid of the defensive linemen in 2024, exhausted his eligibility.
Badger fans might already be familiar with Walker, as his Western Michigan Broncos put the Badgers on upset alert in Week 1. Last season, Walker was the Broncos’ leader with 5.5 sacks, something the Badgers desperately need for 2025.
On the subject of defensive lineman…
Jay’Viar Suggs
One of Wisconsin’s bigger recruiting wins in the transfer portal was the addition of LSU defensive lineman Jay’Viar Suggs, who the Badgers were interested in last offseason when he looked to move on from Grand Valley State.
Known for his pass-rush capabilities, Suggs will add needed depth up front as the Badgers hope to see better results from their defensive line in 2025.
Another candidate for the most important player is Austin Brown, who will move back to his natural position at safety. However, given how largely inefficient the defensive line was in 2024, the Badgers overhauled their position group through the transfer portal.