Wisconsin Football: 5 reasons why Badgers will stink in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
3. Jack Cichy is another big loss on defense after tearing ACL
Leonhard thought he would at least be able to depend on inside linebacker Jack Cichy. Last year’s starter alongside T.J. Edwards, Cichy tore his ACL and will be out for the entire 2017 season. Now, in addition to replacing both outside linebackers, the defense also lost another key cog.
A former walk-on for the Badgers, Cichy made his way into four games as a freshman in 2013. After taking a redshirt year in 2014, Cichy finally earned a scholarship ahead of the 2015 season. He responded by starting four games in 2015 and seven in 2016 at inside linebacker. After recording 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss last year, Cichy was supposed to be a mainstay that anchored the interior of the front seven.
Instead he is hobbled and uncertain about his collegiate future. Depending on whether the NCAA grants Cichy a medical hardship waiver for a sixth season of eligibility in 2018, he might have played his last game as a Badger.
Related Story: Wisconsin Football: Depth at LB will ease pain of losing Jack Cichy
Aside from the personnel impact, the loss affects the entire team. The coaching staff is left with another loss just weeks before the regular season starts. They at least have several talented individuals to ease the burden on the two-deep. Nevertheless, Cichy’s injury exacerbates an already thinned-out depth chart for Wisconsin.