​A trio of Wisconsin Badgers football players has earned recognition on Athlon’s preseason 2026 Big Ten All-Conference teams. Senior editor Steven Lassan conducted an in-depth look at who he expects to stand out in the Big Ten this season. While he did not place any Badgers on the offensive or defensive first team, Wisconsin does have a linebacker who is drawing significant attention.
Linebacker Mason Posa earned a spot on Lassan’s Second-Team Defense, a nod that would mark an extraordinary milestone for the second-year player. On the third team, safety Marvin Burks Jr. was also selected as a defensive standout. Burks Jr. is among Wisconsin’s top-rated players for the upcoming EA Sports College Football 27 video game, and for good reason. The Missouri transfer brings a versatile skill set and leadership to the Badgers’ secondary, contributing immediately to the defense’s potential strength in 2026.
Joining Burks Jr. on the defensive side is Cooper Catalano, another standout who has been generating considerable buzz. Like Posa, Catalano is a second-year player at Wisconsin and is widely anticipated to have a breakout season in 2026. Catalano’s development at linebacker adds depth and speed to the Badgers’ front seven, complementing Posa’s emerging impact and Burks Jr.’s reliability in the back end.
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This recap originally appeared on Badgers Wire, highlighting three Wisconsin football stars who earned preseason All-Conference recognition. The focus remains on the potential breakout years for Posa and Catalano on defense, along with Burks Jr.’s versatility and Burks Jr.’s continued impact in the secondary, as Wisconsin aims to build momentum heading into the 2026 season.