Wisconsin Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Defensive Line

Starting nose tackle: Olive Sagapolu
Backups: Garrett Rand, Billy Hirschfeld

Due to the fact that the Badgers run a 3-4 defensive scheme, a lot of the backups listed might not actually serve as backups, especially because all three defensive starters are interchangeable. The Badgers also have the privilege of having a high volume of a talented linebackers. So much, in fact, that they can bring some of their backups in that position and bring them up to the line.

Wisconsin returns all of their starters on the defensive line, and big Olive Sagapolu will be the guy in the middle. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound junior had 14 tackles and one sack in six games last year. He missed half the season with a head injury and will look to complete his first full season as a starter.

Defensive end Conor Sheehy could also be a viable candidate at nose tackle, as he saw some action there last year when Sagapolu went down with his injury. Of course, Sheehy is a regular starter on the outside, which is the reason for his absence on this section.

Starting ends: Conor Sheehy, Chikwe Obasih
Backups: Alec James, Isaiahh Loudermilk

Conor Sheehy is the sure thing here at defensive end, while Chikwe Obasih and Alec James will compete for that final spot on the three-man defensive line. Whichever way it goes and whoever comes out as the other end player with Sheehy, expect the other to still get a solid chunk of playing time, whether it be at defensive end or nose tackle or even outside linebacker.

Sheehy was voted as one of five team captains, joining Deiter as the two representatives on both the offensive and defensive lines.

If this defensive line can remain healthy this season, it will be sure to give offensive lines fits all year and will help complement the dynamic linebacker group the Badgers possess.