Top Five Opposing Pass Rushers Wisconsin Will Face in 2026

Minnesota star Anthony Smith is back for a fifth season and ranks among the toughest pass rushers Wisconsin will face in 2026.

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

With Week 1 just two weeks away, Badgers On SI continues its breakdown of the top players at different positions among Wisconsin’s 12 regular-season opponents. After scouting out opposing offenses, here are the top five pass rushers the Badgers will line up against this fall.

5. Sahir West, UCLA

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Sahir West | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

West is among UCLA’s top transfer portal additions after following head coach Bob Chesney from James Madison. After redshirting in 2024, he broke out in 2025, totaling 45 tackles (16 solo), 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four pass deflections and a forced fumble in 14 games. That production earned West First-Team Freshman All-American and Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors.

West is listed at 6-foot-3 and 279 pounds and possesses significant explosiveness and power off the edge. The redshirt sophomore has already shown he can be a high-impact player and possesses all the tools to become a star, though he’ll have to acclimate to the jump from the Sun Belt to the Big Ten. West and the Bruins will host the Badgers at the Rose Bowl in Week 7.

4. Kameryn Crawford, USC

USC Trojans defensive end Kameryn Crawford (1) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After recording 19 tackles (10 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2024, Crawford took a notable leap last season. Across 13 appearances, the Mobile, Alabama native logged 41 tackles (30 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Despite the loss, Crawford showed out with arguably his best performance of the year against TCU in the Alamo Bowl, finishing with seven tackles and two sacks.

Crawford boasts a strong frame at defensive end, coming in at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. The junior is a steady tackler who’s savvy against the run and uses a high motor to produce sacks, though he still has room to refine his pass-rush arsenal. Wisconsin will look to limit Crawford and the USC front seven in a Week 8 matchup in Madison.

3. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Traore stepped into an extended role and delivered with a quality 2025 campaign. Coming off an injury-shortened 2024 season, he registered 37 tackles (23 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games, all starts. Heading into 2026, Traore is one of three Fighting Irish players listed on the Bednarik Award Watch List, which recognizes the top defensive player in the country.

The redshirt junior wins with his first-step quickness while also possessing a fairly deep pass-rush arsenal. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, Traore has room to improve against the run but could take a major leap as he gets farther removed from the significant knee injury he suffered in early 2024. The popular breakout candidate will look to wreak havoc at Lambeau Field when Notre Dame takes on Wisconsin in Week 1.

2. Sidney Stewart, Maryland

Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Sidney Stewart | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Stewart got to campus and got to work quickly as a true freshman in 2025. Starting 11 of 12 games, the Joppa, Maryland native totaled 32 tackles (20 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble. Few youngsters were as important to their team as Stewart was to the Terrapins’ defense, so it came as no surprise when he earned Freshman All-American honors from On3 and the FWAA.

Stewart has somewhat unique measurables for an edge rusher, coming in at 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds. He may be short for the position, but he’s certainly not small. Stewart is incredibly powerful with the closing speed to chase down quarterbacks and rack up sacks. Paired with fellow sophomore Zahir Mathis and incoming blue-chip freshman Zion Elee, Stewart leads a sneakily strong Maryland pass rush that’ll host Wisconsin in Week 11.

1. Anthony Smith, Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Despite being a projected early-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Smith elected to return to Minnesota for his final year of eligibility. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and Second-Team recognition from the media in 2025 behind a conference-best 12.5 sacks, in addition to 38 tackles (21 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss and three pass deflections in 13 games. Smith made just one tackle against Wisconsin last season and has yet to record a sack in three career rivalry matchups.

Smith uses his 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame to overwhelm opposing offensive linemen, at times needing only a simple bull rush to get to the passer. His quickness won’t stand out, but the fifth-year senior has the downhill power and reach to dominate regardless. Neutralizing Smith will be imperative if the Badgers are to reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe when the Golden Gophers travel to Camp Randall Stadium in Week 13.