There will be many new faces on next season team. Let’s take a look at the team.
Offense
QB
- Graham Mertz
- Chase Wolf
- Deacon Hill/ Myles Burkett
Overview: Not much of a change from last season. I would expect Mertz’s play to jump under the new offensive coordinator in Bobby Engram.
RB
- Braelon Allen
- Chez Mellusi
- Isaac Guerendo
Overview: With one of the better backfields in the country returning, this should be a position of strength for the Badgers. Allen, the young Heisman sleeper and Mellusi a very capable #2 should wear down defenses. Then having Guerendo as the homerun threat will be very useful.
FB
- Jackson Acker
- Riley Nowakowski
Overview: With longtime fullback John Chenal graduating, converted running back Jackson Acker will handle the duties. He will get a frequent number of snaps as will Nowakowski.
WR
- Chimere Dike
- Skyler Bell
- Markus Allen
- Keontez Lewis
- Dean Engram
Overview: Could this be a position of strength? Let’s take a look at it. Dike, a returning starter has shown flashes of #1 receiver capabilities. Bell and Allen, two redshirted freshmen got snaps in the bowl game last season and made the most of them, each catching a pass and playing for the majority of the game. Both could be breakout candidates. Lewis, the transfer and former 4-star recruit should provide the Badgers with a unique size and speed for this group. Engram, the converted CB will get a majority of snaps in the slot. This group has the chance to be good.
TE
- Jack Eschenbach
- Clay Cundiff
- Hayden Rucci
- Jaylen Franklin
Overview: With Jake Ferguson moving on to the NFL, the Badgers will have to find a replacement. Cundiff and Eschenbach are both the most experienced but are recovering from injuries so time will tell if they will be ready. Rucci is more of a blocking tight end and Franklin, a converted linebacker, is athletic pass catching tight end.
OL
RT: Logan Brown
RG: Michael Furtney or Tanor Bortolini
C: Joe Tippman
LG: Tyler Beach
LT: Jack Nelson
Overview: Nelson switching positions from guard to tackle and Beach switching from tackle to guard, the coaches fell these are their better positions. Tippman another returning starter will lead the offensive line at center. Furtney and Bortolini is a position battle to watch. Whichever one loses out will most likely be the “swing” lineman. Brown is a former 5-star recruit and has a make-it-or-break-it season coming up.
Defense
DL
DE:
- Isaiah Mullens and Rodas Johnson
- James Thompson Jr.
- Isaac Townsend
NT
- Keeanu Benton
- Gio Perez or Ben Barten
Overview: Mullens started 7 games last season and will have a bigger role this season. Johnson and Thompson Jr. played a reserve role last season, and both will have bigger roles this season. Townsend will see reserve snaps also. Benton will continue to be a force in the middle while Perez and Barten will vie for the backup spot, but both could see their fair share of snaps.
ILB
- Jordan Turner and Tatum Grass
- Maema Njongmeta
- Jake Chaney
Overview: Who is going to replace Sanborn and Chenal? Turner played limited snaps throughout last season but played a big role in the bowl game. He has a chance to be really good. Grass has had a great offseason and earned a full scholarship. The former walk-on will have a big role this season. Njongmeta and Chaney will see backup snaps and special team snaps.
OLB
- Nick Herbig and CJ Goetz
- Darryl Peterson and Kaden Johnson
- TJ Bollers and Aaron Witt
Overview: This group is absolutely loaded. Herbig may be one of the best edge rushers in the county and may be the best player on this team. Behind him, the rest could all get significant playing time. I plugged Goetz as the other starter because he is the most experienced, but Peterson, Johnson, and Bollers are all former 4-star recruits and they all could start if needed be. This group again has a chance to be special.
CB
- Alexander Smith and Jay Shaw
- Justin Clark and Cedrick Dort
- Ricardo Hallman and Semar Melvin
Overview: Before the 3 transfers came in, this group was a major question, but now this group may be a strength. Smith and Shaw should be locks as the 2 starters. Clark and Dort will get significant playing time.
S
- John Torchio and Hunter Wohler
- Kamo’i Latu and Preston Zachman
Overview: This position took a big hit with Travian Baylock tore his ACL in spring practices. He was slated to be the opposite safety of Torchio. This will now fall upon the Wohler, a former 4-star recruit who played in limited snaps last season. it will be a big jump for him since he is only a sophomore. They did bring in transfer safety Kamo’i Latu and he will get significant snaps this season.
Special Teams
K: Vito Calvaruso
P: Andy Vunovich
LS: Peter Bowden
Overview: Wisconsin brought in Calvaruso via the transfer portal and he should be in line to be the kicker. Vunovich and Bowden are returning special teamers.