Mandell's Surgery: Badgers' O-Line's Health at Stake

On April 14th Wisconsin Badgers football just took a hit in spring practice.

Projected starting offensive lineman Emerson Mandel is sidelined for the rest of it after foot

surgery. Head coach Luke Fickle shared the update right after Tuesday's session.

Fickle sounded optimistic though, saying Mandel should be good to go before the 2026 season kicks off.

That's key since the line needs him healthy to protect the quarterback and pave the way.

Mandel burst onto the scene as a four star recruit from the 2024 class out of

Moundsview, Minnesota. He saw action in two games as a true freshman that year,

then stepped up big as a red shirt freshman in 2025, starting 12. Games mostly at right tackle.

Looking ahead, he set to anchor the unit alongside left tackle Kevin Haywood,

who sat out last season with a knee issue. Their health could make or break the offense,

especially with a tough opener against Notre Dame, who's eyeing number one in the preseason polls.

Spring practice rolls on without him, but if Mandel heals upright, the Badgers lines stay stacked

and ready to rumble, come fall.