MADISON, Wis. — He wasn’t the most highly touted of Wisconsin’s 2025 commits. But Cooper Catalano very well could be the most game-ready of all the true freshmen heading into the Aug. 28 season opener against Miami (OH). Putting together a stellar and sometimes dominant fall camp, Catalano is on track to burn his redshirt this season.
“Yeah, I would imagine he’s going to play, because what he is showing now is his instincts and ability to learn,” defensive coordinator Mike Tressel told Badger Blitz. “But probably as important as anything, trust in the instincts and not questioning himself at all. He’s a guy that can find the ball and I anticipate him playing.”
A former standout at Germantown, Catalano set the Wisconsin High School football record with 583 career tackles. As a senior, Catalano racked up 178 stops, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions en route to Defensive Player of the Year honors in the state. Putting up video game numbers in high school, Catalano, who enrolled early at UW in the spring, has carried that over to the next level.
“All of a sudden you’re like, ‘Dude made 20 tackles,” Tressel explained. “Things just pile up. He’s around the ball. Watched him play high school ball. I’m going to be real with you. How many five-star moments did he have? I don’t know, but every single play he was at the football. Now, does that translate to Big Ten football? You don’t know, but he’s starting to show it does.”
A former three-star recruit, Catalano chose Wisconsin over Michigan State, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Stanford, and more. Per the Rivals Industry rankings, Catalano was the No. 91 ranked linebacker in the class of 2025. It’s early, but thus far, Catalano is vastly outplaying that ranking.
“That kid can play some ball,” said junior linebacker Christian Alliegro, who led the Badgers with 3.0 sacks in 2024. “Kid just has some natural instincts and can fly to the ball. I think his speed, his natural instincts and the way he just plays football — that makes up for maybe not being the tallest guy ever. He does a really good job of playing with his hands and staying square.”
Catalano has primarily been with the second-team defense in fall camp, but will occasionally sprinkle in with the 1’s. As of Thursday, Tressel had Catalano as ‘next-up’ in the linebacker room behind Alliegro and junior Tackett Curtis. Curtis, who also played a meaningful role as a true freshman and even started eight games at USC during the 2023 season, has been in awe of Catalano thus far.
“All this stuff gets thrown at you as a freshman, his ability to learn this stuff and not let it take away from his ability,” said Curtis. “He still plays all out. No matter if he’s doing the right or wrong thing, he’s still going to play fast and finish on the ball.”
“Cooper is a great player. I definitely think we’re going to rely on him this year. He’s ready to dominate.”
Mason Reiger Still Impressing
Arguably the breakout star for Wisconsin in fall camp, senior edge rusher Mason Reiger has not slowed down in fall camp. Reiger recorded a few more tackles for loss during Thursday’s practice.
“He’s about as much of a professional as we have in terms of when he steps foot on the field, it is going to be a great rep,” said Tressel. “Some people, there’s a tired rep here, there’s a non-focused rep there. Or if you have a, ‘Hey you’re only going to get 10 reps today,’ they have a tendency to relax a bit. This is a pro where every rep you know you’re going to get his best. We love people we have to protect. We have to hold him back.”
Thomas Heiberger Back From Injury
Redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger missed most of the 2024 season with a leg injury. Heiberger also sat out the spring as he rehabbed his leg. Now a full participant in team drills, Heiberger is making a run at a two-deep spot.
“I’ve been really impressed with his movement skills for an inside linebacker. He really stays square. He doesn’t want to turn his hips and run sideways,” said Tressel. “Naturally, has very good inside linebacker skills.
The other thing he has, he’s a really sharp kid. So, he’s confident out there and communicating. He has a pretty good understanding of who needs to be communicated with at that given time. And we could put a lot on his plate in that regard, too. So the combination of his natural movement skills looks natural to him, and his football IQ and overall intelligence that puts him in a good spot.”
Catalano isn’t the only true freshman linebacker impressing in fall camp. Mason Posa has been a wrecking ball at times and could see some action this fall.
“Some of the slippery things where he’s really hard to block on his high school film, you’re seeing it out here,” Tressel said. “He is much like Cooper, a pretty sharp kid, but who says, ‘I don’t give a (blank) when he’s on the football field and just goes, so that’s really good for him.
Obviously, it’s a lot harder when you don’t come in for the spring. I think he’s really far along for a guy that did not go through the spring. To be honest with you, this is a huge next seven days for him, so we can see how far did he come during camp, so that we can have a plan. When you start doing scout team, exchanges and game plan.”
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