Wisconsin Coach Confirms Heiberger’s Shift to Inside Linebacker

Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell announced Tuesday that redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger has officially shifted to inside linebacker, a move highlighted in the team’s updated spring roster. This transition is crucial as the Badgers prepare for the 2025 season.

Heiberger, who joined Wisconsin as part of the highly rated class of 2024, was ranked as the No. 463 overall player and the top player from South Dakota in his class. Initially an outside linebacker, he made an impact during his arrival last offseason. However, an injury sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, limiting his opportunities to break into the two-deep lineup. Heiberger returned toward the end of the 2024 campaign, participating in four games focused on special teams.

The decision to move Heiberger to inside linebacker is noteworthy, particularly as Wisconsin has returning starter Christian Alliegro and former transfer Tackett Curtis holding down key roles at the position. The Badgers have minimal depth beyond that duo, with redshirt sophomore Tyler Jansey and a Western Carolina transfer as the primary alternatives.

Fickell acknowledged Heiberger’s potential, stating, “Thomas has moved to inside linebacker. Aaron Witt is (also) playing a little bit of a hybrid; he’ll play some of the edge stuff. We’re just trying to use some more versatility. Again, it gives us a chance to get bigger.”

The Badgers’ outside linebacker corps features veterans Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt, alongside newcomers from Louisville, Grambling State, and Kentucky, as well as 2024 breakout player Sebastian Cheeks. Heiberger’s journey to the depth chart at inside linebacker may be competitive but is essential due to the potential absence of several players due to graduation.

This offseason, Wisconsin focused on bolstering its front seven, acquiring defensive tackles from Western Michigan, Tulane, UT-Martin, and LSU while retaining contributors Ben Barten and Brandon Lane. Fickell emphasized the need for a stronger defense, stating, “You’re playing nickel all the time; now you can go into a base defense, you can add a guy that’s 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds as another piece on the field, along with the big 300-pounders. It was an emphasis for us to be able to get bigger.”

The team’s strategic changes, particularly in defensive lineup, reflect a broader effort to improve performance, especially given the struggles experienced in the previous season. As Heiberger continues to develop, his newly assigned role will be closely monitored during the ongoing spring and summer months, and fans will be eager to see if his past performances as a freshman will translate into significant contributions this upcoming season.

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