The Badgers got an experienced offensive lineman in the portal over the weekend.
While the Wisconsin Badgers have been prioritizing youth with many of their transfer portal additions, they did make a move for a veteran offensive lineman, landing a commitment from Oklahoma State transfer Austin Kawecki on Saturday.
Kawecki, a redshirt junior this past season, was a full-time starter in 2025, spending time at both right guard (one game) and center (11 games). He should slide into that starting center role for the Badgers, which was a big need this offseason.
With not a very deep interior offensive line market in the transfer portal this offseason, it was a necessity for Wisconsin to move fast with its top targets, and they secured a commitment from Kawecki after having him on campus for the opening weekend of the transfer portal.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kawecki posted a 63.9 overall grade last season in 710 snaps. He had a 76.8 pass blocking grade, allowing 12 pressures and two sacks on 394 pass-blocking snaps. He had a 58.8 run-blocking grade as well.
Currently, Wisconsin has returning starters Emerson Mandell and Colin Cubberly, who could occupy the two interior offensive line spots next to Kawecki in 2025. The Badgers also have left tackle Kevin Heywood, who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury. And they’re expected to add more along the offensive line in the transfer portal after landing only one player in their 2026 high school class.
Kawecki will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Category: General Sports
