The Badgers have suffered a massive blow to their offensive line.
The Wisconsin Badgers have suffered a devastating blow to their offensive line, as starting left tackle Kevin Heywood has torn his ACL and is ‘probably’ out for the season, head coach Luke Fickell confirmed on Tuesday.
Heywood, a true sophomore, was slated to take over for longtime starter Jack Nelson after coming to Madison as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024.
The 6’8, 312-pound left tackle had gone down with an injury earlier this month during spring ball, and offensive line coach A.J. Blazek said that the team was still evaluating him on Friday.
Well, the worst has been confirmed, and Heywood is out for the season, leaving Wisconsin without their emerging sophomore ahead of a crucial year.
With Heywood’s injury, the Badgers will have to shuffle up front, and they have a few options. Former Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson could slide into a starting spot. He has plenty of tackle experience and was expected to be the swing tackle behind Heywood and right tackle Riley Mahlman in 2025.
Left guard Joe Brunner could also kick out to tackle, allowing for an interior option to step into a starting spot.
The Badgers could also look to the spring transfer portal window for an option, but nonetheless, this is a tough blow to a younger player who was emerging as one of Wisconsin’s top breakout candidates in 2025.
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