Three Bold Post Spring Wisconsin Football Predictions

Q: Will freshman QB Ryan Hopkins play in the 2026 Wisconsin football season?

Yes, it is predicted that Ryan Hopkins will see meaningful snaps during the 2026 season.

Q: How has the Wisconsin offensive line changed since 2019?

The offensive line is expected to perform at its best since 2019, aided by offensive line coach Eric Mateos' expertise.

Q: Who are the top running backs for Wisconsin in 2026?

The top running backs include Abu Sama, Bryan Jackson, Darrion Dupree, and newcomer Julius Pope, with expectations for one to rush over 1,000 yards.

Wisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images After what was, by most accounts, a relatively healthy and encouraging spring for the Wisconsin Badgers, it’s a good time to take stock of what we saw and wonder if there are some projectables for this fall. Huge caveat: There is obviously still a lot of time and football to go before the season kicks off in Lambeau against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it’s still worthwhile to make some educated guesses about how things might look in four months for Luke Fickell’s squad. Here are three big guesses. **Freshman QB Ryan Hopkins will see meaningful snaps** I know this may come off as a bit morbid, as an injury to or wild lack of performance from quarterback starter Colton Joseph will have to happen to even put this on the radar, but I’m not trying to be doom and gloom. I’m simply saying that Hopkins’ impressive skill set teased in spring ball (and with the transfer portal always looming for talented quarterbacks) will force the staff’s hands at some point. There still exists a reasonable scenario where this can happen AND Joseph has a solid, relatively healthy season. That’s my hope. But, either way, get ready to see Hopkins taking snaps that matter in 2026. **The Offensive Line will play its best ball since 2019** Given that 2019 was the Badgers’ last really good season, this is saying a lot. While the talent and experience in the OL room are not vintage Wisconsin, the most important chess piece is savant offensive line coach Eric Mateos, who just seems to get it from a technique and teaching perspective. There will be frustrating moments, no doubt, but , I believe it will be a huge strength of this squad and keep the offense humming along like it hasn’t in years. I’m very excited to see how it functions in game action. **There will be a 1,000-yard Badger rusher for the first time since 2022** Four straight campaigns without a running back hitting 1,000 yards for the Badgers feels stunning, and I expect this unfortunate streak to end this fall. Fickell has re-stocked the backfield coffers impressively, with Abu Sama, Bryan Jackson, Darrion Dupree, and in the fold, joined by talented and a new (surprising) addition in Julius Pope, the No. 1 JUCO RB in the current cycle, who will have three years of eligibility left. Some might see so many capable backs as a reason one won’t get enough carries to hit 1,000 yards, but I see it differently. There is so much talent in the room that the backs will push each other, and one will rise to the top. It’s a rare embarrassment of riches for the Badgers at a position that needs to be better.