Badgers linebacker surprisingly returns to Wisconsin for seventh collegiate season

When Aaron Witt walked across the Camp Randall turf last November for Senior Day, it seemed as though his tumultuous ride with the Wisconsin Badgers was coming to a close.

He was wrapping up a sixth collegiate season and putting the final touches on a second straight healthy year.

That was an accomplishment of its own for the defensive lineman-turned-outside linebacker, who had missed the better part of three years recovering from various foot and ankle injuries that required four surgeries.

But a triumphant return and two healthy seasons won't be the end of Witt's story.

Aaron Witt back with Badgers for 2026

The Badgers have gotten their 2026 preparations underway, releasing images of weight room work and a video of a speech from Luke Fickell to social media.

The work to build something new is done 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/uQXCXClf88
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 21, 2026

Witt is shown multiple times throughout the three-minute clip. A day later, Luke Fickell officially confirmed Witt's status in a press conference.

Luke Fickell says Aaron Witt will be back for a seventh season. He redshirted in 2021, didn't play in 2022 and appeared in two games in 2023.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) January 21, 2026

"Witt, who's here for a seventh season had a choice (to transfer)." Fickell said. "He didn't want to be any place else, and that meant a lot to me."

Between an extra year of eligibility from COVID-19, a true redshirt and a medical redshirt, Witt has only used up three of his four years of eligibility. As a seventh-year player, he'll be the eldest player on Wisconsin's roster for the 2026 season and in the country.

His experience and leadership qualities are especially valuable to the Badgers.

"There's been some definite things over the last three years, over the last six years that we don't want to lose from here," Fickell said. "And I think one of those things in college football is that, 'hey, how do you continue to keep some of the roots and some of the history that you have?'"

Witt will likely be looked upon to carry that torch and help the Badgers integrate its nearly 50 new players into the program. His impact won't stop there.

The 6-foot-6, 247-pound outside linebacker has been a reliable contributor over the past two seasons, totaling 41 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and a sack. He played a hybrid role, sometimes lining up along the defensive line and sometimes playing off the ball as a true linebacker.

In 2026, he's slated to be a primary linebacker.

"He had gone back and forth at what's the best opportunity for him to be able to get on the field and play more," Fickell said. "We felt like it wasn't getting bigger and trying to play with a little bit more of his hand in the ground... it was more of his ability to kind of be at the 240-45 pound range where it's better on his body."

As a linebacker, he'll be joined by Mason Posa, Cooper Catalano and Thomas Heiberger toward the top of the depth chart. Posa and Catalano figure to be close to every-down players, leaving Heiberger and Witt to likely play complementary roles. However, Mike Tressel could look to get three traditional linebackers on the field more frequently in 2026 due to the abundance of talent at the position.

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