MADISON, Wis. — Grant Dean was just wrapping up his all-state senior season at this time a year ago.
Now he’s already burned his redshirt during his freshman year for Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin football team.
Wisconsin’s 2025 class has already started to pay dividends on the field. Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa started at Oregon and are trending towards being the next tandem of Badgers inside linebackers, while cornerback Cairo Skanes has seen significant time at cornerback. Wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. and outside linebacker Nick Clayton have flashed their potential, and there’s now hype surrounding quarterback Carter Smith as the final stretch of the season starts Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. CT kickoff against No. 24 Washington.
But Dean, who enrolled early at Wisconsin (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) after his time as a standout running back and defensive back at in-state Neenah, has also quietly contributed on special teams during his first season.
“Being able to play in my first college game, and then now being able to play in all of them so far, it’s been surreal,” Dean said. “And being able to, for the few snaps, it’s been meaningful, and I’m excited just for the future to see how far we go.”
Check out Badger Observer’s chat with Dean from Tuesday. Here’s what was discussed during the nearly 6-minute chat:
How playing special teams has helped him with the speed of a college football game
Learning at safety
His “Welcome to college football” moment
If the game’s slowed down for him
His relationship with safeties coach Jack Cooper
The transition as a freshman in being a collegiate student-athlete
What to know about Smith on and off the field
