MADISON — Cooper Catalano earned his starting spot as a true freshman middle linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers last season. Now, with added size, strength and experience, he has become one of the leaders of the Badgers' defense heading into the new season. I'd always give them, you know, some crap about, you know, stat padding in high school because he told me, like 20. "You know, I'm still looking for a bunch of things. I'm working on my overall football knowledge, working on leadership, working on my past game.