Wisconsin Badgers Defy National Expectations with Five Players Named to Prestigious Award Watch Lists
As the 2025 college football season approaches, national analysts and media outlets have not been overly optimistic about the Wisconsin Badgers. The prevailing narrative has the team pegged as an underdog in the Big Ten and beyond. However, while outside observers may be lowering their expectations, those within the program and its loyal fanbase have reasons to remain optimistic. That optimism is rooted in individual talent, and a closer look reveals that the Badgers are not short on standout players entering the new campaign.
Despite the lack of national fanfare, the Wisconsin football program recently announced that five of its players have landed spots on various prestigious college football award watch lists. These honors spotlight the top players across the nation in specific positional and character-based categories, and Wisconsin’s representation is a testament to the talent and potential scattered across its roster. Each of these five athletes brings something unique to the table, from explosive special teams play to leadership off the field and promising performances on defense.
Let’s take a detailed look at these five Badgers who are garnering national attention as they gear up for what could be a breakout season—not just for themselves, but potentially for the team as a whole.
Christian Alliegro: Emerging Linebacker Earns Butkus Award Watch List Nod
One of the biggest surprises among the Wisconsin award nominees is Christian Alliegro, a junior linebacker who has quickly ascended the team’s depth chart. Although he only has three career starts under his belt, Alliegro’s rise has been so meteoric that he earned a place on the Butkus Award watch list, an honor given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
This selection might raise some eyebrows for those who haven’t been tracking his progress, but within the Wisconsin program, Alliegro’s development has been a topic of growing enthusiasm. Last season, even in limited appearances, he demonstrated exceptional instincts, closing speed, and tackling efficiency. Coaches have praised his football IQ, describing him as a player who understands schemes and adapts quickly to opponents’ formations.
Alliegro’s inclusion on the Butkus watch list underscores how his role is expected to grow significantly this season. With more playing time, he will have the chance to prove that his strong performances in limited action weren’t flukes. He has reportedly added muscle in the offseason while refining his lateral movement and coverage skills—both essential in today’s spread-out Big Ten offenses.
What makes Alliegro particularly interesting is that he’s not a legacy player or a former five-star recruit. He came to Madison as more of a developmental prospect and has earned every inch of his current status through grit and consistent effort. With a full season ahead, he has the potential to become a central figure in the Badgers’ defense.
Ricardo Hallman: Veteran Cornerback Earns Wuerffel Trophy Watch List Honors for Community Leadership
While many award watch lists focus solely on athletic achievement, the Wuerffel Trophy takes a broader view of excellence, emphasizing community service, character, and leadership both on and off the field. Ricardo Hallman, a seasoned cornerback for the Badgers, has garnered attention in this domain.
Hallman’s inclusion on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list comes as no surprise to those familiar with his commitment to service. Off the field, he has actively participated in numerous community outreach programs, youth mentorship initiatives, and volunteer events throughout the Madison area. His leadership within the team extends beyond football practices and film rooms; he’s seen as a moral compass and an example-setter for younger teammates.
In fact, Hallman had already been nominated earlier this year for another community service-based honor—the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for 2025. That prior recognition helped solidify his reputation as a player who understands the privilege and responsibility that come with being a student-athlete at a major university.
While Hallman’s off-field work has rightly earned him accolades, it’s important to note that he also continues to perform at a high level on the field. As a cornerback, he brings experience and coverage skills that make him a steady presence in the secondary. He’s not the flashiest defender, but his reliability and understanding of coverages make him a valuable asset.
Being named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list puts Hallman in an elite category of players who represent the best of what college athletics can offer. He embodies the fusion of athletic excellence and social responsibility, qualities that Wisconsin’s program aims to instill in all its athletes.
Vinny Anthony: Versatile Wide Receiver Poised for National Attention
Another standout on Wisconsin’s list of award watch nominees is Vinny Anthony, a rising wide receiver whose versatility has made him an indispensable part of the team’s offense and special teams. After experiencing what many called a “mini-breakout” season in 2024, Anthony is now a candidate for the Paul Hornung Award, which honors the most versatile player in college football.
This award is tailor-made for a player like Anthony. He’s not just a traditional receiver who lines up outside or in the slot—he does both, often switching positions within the same series. But his value goes far beyond route running and catching passes. Anthony has also made his mark as a kickoff and punt returner, often flipping field position with timely, high-yardage returns. On top of that, he contributes to the team’s punt coverage unit as a gunner, which speaks volumes about his toughness and willingness to play special teams with intensity.
Last season, Anthony’s dynamic contributions on multiple fronts didn’t go unnoticed. While his receiving numbers weren’t record-breaking, they were solid and came in clutch moments. Meanwhile, his return stats ranked among the Big Ten’s best, with several returns going over 30 yards and even threatening to go the distance. His all-around impact made him a player defenses had to account for at all times.
This offseason, he’s reportedly focused on refining his route tree and working on timing with the quarterbacks during summer workouts. His goal is to not only be the team’s most versatile weapon but also its most productive one. If his development continues, Anthony could become a key offensive centerpiece and one of the most dangerous all-around players in the conference.
Nathanial Vakos: Strong-Legged Kicker Aims to Fine-Tune Accuracy for National Recognition
When it comes to special teams, Wisconsin isn’t just relying on its returners and gunners. The Badgers also boast a solid performer at kicker in Nathanial Vakos, who has drawn national interest for his long-range ability. He’s earned a spot on the radar for college football’s top kicking awards, largely due to his exceptional performance on kicks from 50 yards and beyond.
In 2024, Vakos went 3-for-3 on field goals of 50 yards or more, demonstrating a leg strength that few college kickers can match. That alone put him in the national conversation. His long kicks came in crucial moments and helped swing momentum in several tightly contested games.
However, consistency on shorter attempts remains an area of focus for the junior kicker. While he’s proven his range, Vakos had a few misses last season from within 40 yards—kicks that are often viewed as “automatic” at the college level. If he can correct those issues and become more consistent inside that range, his odds of contending for top national kicking awards will significantly improve.
Coaches have praised Vakos for his work ethic and attention to detail during the offseason. He has reportedly worked closely with special teams coaches to tighten his technique, especially on shorter attempts where placement and timing are more critical than power. The hope is that he’ll emerge this season not just as a weapon for deep field goals but as a reliable scoring option anytime the offense stalls inside the 30.
Atticus Bertrams: Aussie-Born Punter a National Leader in Net Average
Rounding out the Badgers’ list of award-caliber players is punter Atticus Bertrams, whose unique skill set and booming leg have made him a special teams asset. The Australian-born specialist ranked in the top 15 nationally in net yards per punt during the 2024 season, putting him in elite company among college punters.
Bertrams’ season was highlighted by an unforgettable 74-yard rolling punt against USC, a kick that not only flipped the field but energized his teammates and fans. That punt was emblematic of what Bertrams can do when given room to operate. His style—developed in part through his Aussie rules football background—allows him to combine hang time with directional kicking and the ability to pin opponents deep in their territory.
Wisconsin’s coaches trust Bertrams not only to boom punts downfield, but also to deliver in situational scenarios. He has shown the ability to drop punts inside the 10-yard line with precision, avoiding touchbacks and forcing opponents to start drives in tough field position.
Heading into the 2025 season, Bertrams has a chance to build on last year’s success and compete for honors such as the Ray Guy Award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate punter. With more consistency in his directional kicking and continued improvement in coverage support, he could firmly establish himself as one of the most valuable punters in the Big Ten—and perhaps the country.
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Looking Ahead: Can Individual Honors Translate to Team Success?
While preseason watch list selections don’t guarantee anything, they do serve as a barometer of individual potential and national recognition. For Wisconsin, having five players earn spots on various national watch lists is a promising sign that talent is present, even if expectations around the program have been subdued on the national stage.
The challenge now will be converting that individual promise into collective success. The Badgers will rely on players like Alliegro to anchor their defense, on Anthony to electrify special teams and provide versatility on offense, and on Hallman to lead both on and off the field. Meanwhile, Vakos and Bertrams give Wisconsin a reliable special teams foundation that could make a difference in close games.
As the season progresses, these five players will be worth watching closely. If they continue to excel and build off last year’s performances, they could find themselves not just on midseason lists but as finalists for some of college football’s most prestigious awards. More importantly for Badgers fans, their success could help propel the team toward exceeding the national expectations currently placed upon it.
In a season where the spotlight may not shine brightly on Wisconsin at first, these five players have the opportunity—and the talent—to change the narrative. Whether it’s through highlight-reel plays, clutch field goals, game-saving tackles, or meaningful community service, they embody what makes college football compelling and hopeful each fall. Wisconsin may be flying under the radar, but with these standout athletes leading the way, don’t be surprised if the Badgers make more noise than expected in 2025.
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