Wisconsin Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

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MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 15: D’Cota Dixon #14 of the Wisconsin Badgers intercepts the football in the end zone during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

Starting safeties: D’Cota Dixon, Natrell Jamerson
Backups: Patrick Johnson, Joe Ferguson

There is no question D’Cota Dixon is the leader of the secondary and primed for a big season. Under new defensive coordinator and former defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, the secondary will be another interesting puzzle to the Badgers defense. A huge surprise last season, the secondary fell a part in the Big Ten Championship, allowing Penn State and Trace McSorley all sorts of opportunities in the second half.

This year, the Badgers will be without safety and former team MVP Leo Musso, as well as Sojourn Shelton to the NFL. Natrell Jamerson, who was primarily the kick returner last season, will get time on defense this year and will pair with Dixon to help out the up-and-coming cornerbacks. There is a slight chance we could see Jamerson move to a cornerback slot or nickel position. In this case, you could expect Arrington Farrar to slide in the safety rotation.

Starting cornerbacks: Derrick Tindal, Nick Nelson
Backups: Lubern Figaro, Caesar Williams, Dontye Carriere-Williams

One player that could fly under-the-radar this year is Derrick Tindal. Various reports and accounts have noted Tindal’s improvement, not only from an X’s and O’s standpoint, but from a physique aspect as well. Tindal struggled at times last year and was often the main target from opposing offenses with Shelton locking down the other side of the field.

This year, Tindal will be the be main guy at the helm, but will have major help at the other side with Hawaii transfer Nick Nelson stepping in. Nelson will be huge addition to an inexperienced secondary and will help take some pressure off the front seven.

Keep an eye on the dark horse of the group, Titus Booker, also. He was supposed to come in as a freshman last year and contribute right away, but did not really come into his own and is still a work in progress. If he lives up to the hype and starts developing as expected, there is a chance we could see him earn some playing time.

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