MADISON – After solving its issues at quarterback, Wisconsin’s biggest job this offseason is getting its offensive line on track.
Austin Kawecki could be a big piece to figuring out that puzzle.
The Badgers signed the center from Frisco, Texas, on Sunday Jan. 4. He spent his entire college career at Oklahoma State and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Advertisement
Kawecki comes to Wisconsin after playing 25 games for the Cowboys since signing in 2022. He started every game this past season, opening the season at right guard and then played the next 10 at center. He didn’t play in the final game due to injury. He played 710 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
In high school he was recruited by Baylor when Badgers offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and new UW offensive line coach Eric Mateos were coaching in that program.
Kawecki could fill a position that was in constant flux for the Badgers in 2025.
Starting center Jake Renfro was in and out of the lineup due to various injuries and the Badgers didn’t have anyone who could match his productivity at the position. Ultimately Renfro was limited to four games, didn’t play after the Ohio State game on Oct. 18 and had season-ending surgery that UW coach Luke Fickell announced on Nov. 3.
Advertisement
In his absence the Badgers tried grad student Kerry Kodanko and redshirt freshman Ryan Cory at the position before shifting Davis Heinzen, a graduate transfer who was the team’s Game 1 starter at left tackle. It was Heinzen’s first time playing the position, but he started five games for the Badgers. That included four starts in the final five weeks.
The addition of Kawecki would give some of the Badgers younger players more time to develop. Cory, who made one start and appeared in four games, will be a redshirt sophomore next season.
More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: QB Colton Joseph joins program
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Oklahoma State center Austin Kawecki signs with Wisconsin
