Badger Countdown: Star walk-on safety wore number 16

This Badger walk-on may be the best player to wear 16

The 2023 college football season is nearly upon us and the Badgers are now 16 days away from their opener against Buffalo on Sept. 2. One former Badger became a star while wearing 16 on his back even though he was a walk-on.

Joe Stellmacher was a two-year starter in Wisconsin’s secondary during the 2005 and 2006 campaign. Over those two seasons, he recorded 174 tackles and four interceptions, one of which he took back for a touchdown.

The Berlin, Wisconsin native was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten both years and he was named the team’s co-MVP in 2006.

These days, Stellmacher has returned to Berlin, operating as the head coach of the high school’s varsity football team.

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