Wisconsin’s top-rated players in EA Sports College Football 26 shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. They are: senior cornerback Ricardo Hallman (90 overall) and senior right tackle Riley Mahlman (89 overall).
The veterans are two of the program’s longest-tenured returning starters entering the 2025 season. Each joined the Badgers with the class of 2021, Mahlman as a four-star recruit and Hallman as one of the class’ more underrated prospects. They then each took similar paths to playing time. Hallman started eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2022, totaling nine tackles, one for loss, one interception and three pass deflections. Mahlman also entered that season as a starter, though only played in seven games after suffering an injury during the season-opener.
The two have been some of the Big Ten’s best at their respective positions since that shared breakthrough season. Hallman was a Third Team All-American in 2023 after a 34-tackle, seven-interception campaign. Mahlman did not share the same accolade, though he has been among ProFootballFocus’ highest-graded Big Ten offensive linemen over the last two seasons, plus again projects as one of the conference’s best entering 2025.
The cornerback and offensive lineman will lead the Badgers’ defense and offense, respectively, in 2025. Hallman is the team’s clear top cornerback, and may need to shoulder a greater responsibility with top underclassman Xavier Lucas gone to Miami. Mahlman, on the other hand, will again slot in at right tackle to begin the season. He will anchor an offensive line that lost starting left tackle Kevin Heywood to a spring practice injury.
Stay tuned throughout the month as EA Sports unveils the rest of its rankings for the new edition of its video game.
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Publish date : 2025-07-04 11:43:00
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