Most Important Players For Wisconsin in 2026: No. 5 Austin Kawecki

Badger Blitz is counting down Wisconsin’s 26 most important players for the 2026 season, and its No. 5 pick is senior center Austin Kawecki. Kawecki started all 12 games at Oklahoma State in 2025, including 11 at center, and played 710 snaps. Pro Football Focus credited him with a 63.9 overall grade, a 76.8 pass-blocking grade, and he allowed 2.0 sacks and 12 pressures on 394 pass-protection snaps. He chose Wisconsin over South Carolina, Stanford and other Big 12 programs in the transfer portal. The article emphasizes Wisconsin’s recent center instability and says Kawecki is the only reliable option, with leadership and experience viewed as vital for an offensive line returning only two starters.