MADISON, Wis. — In fall camp, Emerson Mandell entered a position battle with seniors JP Benzschawel and Kerry Kodanko for the starting right guard spot. By about halfway through camp, if not earlier, that battle was over. Still in Platteville for practice, Mandell had stopped rotating out with the first-team offense and began cementing himself […]
MADISON, Wis. — In fall camp, Emerson Mandell entered a position battle with seniors JP Benzschawel and Kerry Kodanko for the starting right guard spot. By about halfway through camp, if not earlier, that battle was over. Still in Platteville for practice, Mandell had stopped rotating out with the first-team offense and began cementing himself as one of the most important pieces on offense, not only for this season, but for the future.
“He’s a guy that I think we have all known has tremendous potential,” offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. “I think he’s done a good job really preparing himself for this fall, and now he’s become a guy that is more reliable, knows what’s going on, and we still see that potential that he has. He’s one of those few guys that’s big enough, strong enough that he can just handle a big defensive tackle by himself, and there aren’t a whole lot of humans that can do that at this level. So we’re still seeing that from him, but now we’re seeing a guy that’s more consistent.”
Power A Big Part of Mandell’s Game
That strength and raw power are what separated Mandell during fall camp. Battling a high ankle sprain in the spring, Mandell wasn’t really able to dig his feet in and hold off a defensive lineman the way he’d like. Fall camp was a different story. Going up against Wisconsin’s bigger, badder front seven, which has nine players at 300 pounds or heavier, Mandell had some eye-opening individual wins in the trenches.
“Emerson is a baller. He’s going to take people and move them off the line of scrimmage,” said senior center Jake Renfro. “He’s strong, he’s physical, he’s tough. You’re going to see some people get moved off the line against their will. I haven’t seen that in a while. He brings that edge ot the right side of our offensive line.”
When you ask Mandell about his above-average strength for a redshirt freshman, he just smiles, tongue in cheek. Able to squat over 500 pounds, leg press 1,200 pounds, and bench press over 400 pounds, for a few reps, Mandell has a gentle giant quality about him. Nice as can be off the field, but when that ball is snapped between the lines, Mandell flips a switch.
“That’s always kind of been my thing,” Mandell laughed. “I’ve been a muscle head since I was little.”
The weight room was also a big reason why Mandell chose Wisconsin. A Rivals Industry four-star recruit, Mandell was torn between the Badgers, Minnesota, and Iowa State for the longest time. The Irondale, Minn. native had some big offers as well, including Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Iowa, but was going to remain closer to home. Normally, you’d never give credit to a strength and conditioning coach for a recruiting win, but Brady Collins certainly helped push UW over the top for Mandell.
“He was a really big pull for me,” Mandell explained. “Having someone who was so enthusiastic and energetic about what he does was so special.”
Mandell Started Career at Right Tackle
Beginning his career at right tackle in 2024, Mandell moved to right guard in the spring. Approached by offensive line coach A.J. Blazek about competing for a starting gig in year two of his career, Mandell put his head down and attacked.
“The mentality I took towards it was just, focus on my job, put the work in, do what’s expected, stick to the standard, and see what happens,” he said.
Mandell did appear in a pair of games as a true freshman. Mandell had some mop-up duty in last season’s win over Purdue and Northwestern. With Thursday being his first career start, Mandell will have a much bigger light shining on him.
“I feel really honored, honestly. To be able to come into a program that’s established itself as an offensive line program and having such a rich history with people like Joe Thomas being developed here. Being able to start for the Wisconsin Badgers is really special for me, special for my family, and I hold a lot of pride in my heart.”
Mandell Has Plenty of Support
Able to surround Mandell with experience, Wisconsin returns three starters up front. Two of those, Renfro and senior right tackle Riley Mahlman, will play adjacent to the 6-foot-5, 320-pound freshman.
“It’s a really big confidence builder. Being able to rely on the guy next to you is a big part of offensive line play,” Mandell explained. “Having two guys that have played a bunch of games next to you, really helps me play fast and not have to worry about things.”
Mandell will be the first Wisconsin freshman to start a season opener at offensive line since Mahlman in 2022. Under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium, Mandell will have numerous family members in attendance. Even his old high school athletic director is making the trip down from Minnesota. A little naive to the moment, Mandell is trying not to make Thursday bigger than what it is.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “First start, there’s obviously some nerves. I’m excited, ready to get rolling.”
“I’m not really sure what to expect. I’m just excited to get on that field.”
Category: General Sports
