After balancing the decision of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft or returning to college football, Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Joe Brunner is entering the transfer portal.
Brunner, a multi-year
starter at left guard, was expected to be Wisconsin’s top offensive lineman if he returned in 2025. He would’ve provided some valuable experience up front at left guard, working alongside new center addition Austin Kawecki.
Instead, his departure leaves a void at left guard for the Badgers in a move that started to seem likely as of late. An ESPN preseason All-American in 2025, Brunner was known for his hard-nosed physical style as a Wisconsin native, and battled through some injuries during his time as the starter.
He’ll move on with one year of eligibility and will open up another scholarship spot for Wisconsin to fill this offseason. The Badgers have added two offensive linemen in the transfer portal so far: Arkansas freshman Blake Cherry and Oklahoma State senior Austin Kawecki.
Cherry currently projects in the two-deep as a reserve lineman, while Kawecki should slide into that vacant center role. With Brunner gone, Wisconsin could look to start Colin Cubberly and Emerson Mandell both at guard in 2025, although there are still some decisions to be made up front.
But, looking back at Wisconsin’s Week 1 starting offensive lineman last year, the Badgers will have four new starters in 2026, with Mandell being the lone holdover.
