The Wisconsin football team is just a few weeks from kicking off their 2017 season on Sept. 1. What will the depth chart look like come opening day?
Week one of preseason training camps have come and gone and things are heating up with position battles for every team. The same is true for the Wisconsin Badgers, who will have many holes to fill from a year ago with more than enough qualified players to fill the gaps. While some positions may be solidified already, many spots are up for grabs as we inch closer to week one and the season opener versus Utah State.
Head coach Paul Chryst will have a couple players in from his Pittsburgh days ready to make an immediate impact, while the return of some key players will hold a veteran presence for a wave of young guys who will likely step in and be ready to contribute on a much higher responsibility.
There are big expectations clouding over Madison this year, fresh off a Cotton Bowl victory and a near Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff berth. As the month of September is vast approaching, we take a look at the Badgers and their projected two-deep depth chart heading into the 2017 college football season.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: David Edwards (LT), Patrick Kasl (RT)
Backups: David Moorman, Jason Maxwell
Perhaps the biggest question mark of the Badgers’ offense this year comes at the tackle position. A very young and inexperienced core of players, Wisconsin enters the preseason training camp with a wide open race on the offensive line.
Redshirt sophomore David Edwards holds a strong likelihood to grab one of the spots, whereas young guys Patrick Kasl and David Moorman will likely battle for the additional tackle position. Junior big guy Jason Maxwell provides a solid choice as someone with experience if the others cannot gear up for the season opener.
Starting center: Michael Deiter
Backup: Brett Connors
Michael Deiter enters the 2017 as one of the scarce veteran players on the offensive line, much less the entire offense. Deiter was named a 2017 captain by his teammates and coaches and will be a huge foundation for quarterback Alex Hornibrook and company this season.
Brett Connors will likely be the backup at the center position, but do not be surprised if he ends up vying for another offensive line position as he has the capability to be place almost anywhere.
Starting guards: Jon Dietzen (LG), Beau Benzschawel (RG)
Backups: Micah Kapoi, David Moorman
While the tackle positions have a lot of uncertainties heading into the 2017 season, the guard spots are less in question as Jon Dietzen and Beau Benzschawel are almost a guarantee when it comes to these spots.
Micah Kapoi is an interesting name to watch out for, though, as the junior was used heavily at the end of last season- specifically the Big Ten Championship and could fill in somewhere on the offensive line on and off throughout the season.
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.
Linebacker
Starting outside linebackers: Garrett Dooley, Zack Baun
Backups: Leon Jacobs, Andrew Van Ginkel/Tyler Johnson
Garrett Dooley and Zack Baun have tall orders replacing T.J. Watt and also the absence of Vince Biegel. The Badgers’ problem at linebacker, if you want to call it that, is their outside spots will need a little work. Do not be surprised to see one of the middle backers, even with the Jack Cichy injury, move to outside due to the fact that the Badgers have great depth in the middle.
For the time being, though, it looks to be Dooley and Baun’s jobs to lose. Leon Jacobs will also see some time as he has a good deal of game experience, but if you are looking for an answer now as to who will be the starting four at linebacker, you have come to the wrong spot. We have a pretty good guess on who the four will be, but in which order we will have to wait and see.
Starting middle linebackers: T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly
Backups: Chris Orr, Arrington Farrar, Leon Jacobs
Prior to the unfortunate news that Jack Cichy will miss the entire season with a knee inury, the Badgers’ depth at inside backer was really, really great. Now, it’s still really great as Cichy’s injury- while detrimental, opens up opportunities for the other talented linebackers the team possesses.
Related Story: Jack Cichy to miss 2017 with knee injury
Chris Orr unfortunately had his season cut short last year after sustaining a year-ending injury in the season opener vs. LSU. He will of course need some time to get used to the college football scene after playing just one snap last year. Ryan Connelly will likely slide into Cichy’s spot due to his experience on the field.
No returning inside linebacker was better at stopping the run than Wisconsin's Ryan Connelly was in 2016. pic.twitter.com/XJiYXcdDJp
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 30, 2017
Connelly received national recognition last year and will do so again this year, all while being technically a backup. Normally teams experience a major setback losing high-caliber players like the Badgers did in T.J. Watt and Vince Biegel, but this returning group will have no problem getting the Badgers defense back to elite status.
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.
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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.
Wide Receiver
Starting receivers: Jazz Peavy, Quintez Cephus
Backups: A.J. Taylor, George Rushing
If you are a wide receiver at Wisconsin, there is no telling what is in store for you. The Badgers saw many different receivers get in on the action last year, but were supported by their two big names, Jazz Peavy and Robert Wheelwright.
Whether it’s screens, jet sweeps, or end arounds — the Badgers’ receivers will be sure to have an even bigger role and factor in the team’s success, especially with the return of Jazz Peavy.
What makes this unit unique is that each player has their own skill and feat they excel at and offer a variety of different threats and weapons. Peavy, of course, will be the go-to guy for Hornibrook and the offense and offers that big-play ability all over the field. His spectacular route-running and his ability to get away from defense’s will help him out tremendously despite being the No. 1 guy.
Quintez Cephus is likely to be the next guy up stepping into the starting squad and will offer that big-time vertical presence. He is having a killer preseason and has produced nothing but positive and exciting expectations surrounding him. With his ability to go up and get any ball his way, paired with Peavy’s speed and finesse — they make for a good combination on offense and a strong complement to the run game.
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A.J. Taylor will likely play in the slot as the Badgers will try and utilize his explosive speed and athleticism. It would not be surprising if Taylor became the number one guy on kick and punt returns.
Wisconsin will also look to see improvements from George Rushing, who had a bit of a down 2016 season as a freshman. Coming in to the program, big things were expected from Rushing- and after starting as the team’s No. 3 guy last year, he saw his action cut down due to the emergence of Cephus and Taylor. Rushing could provide an extra spark from the sidelines.
Running Back
Starting running back: Bradrick Shaw
Backups: Chris James
Enter the most riveting position race of the 2017 season. With the loss of Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale, it only makes sense the starting gig would belong to Bradrick Shaw, the only other tailback from a year ago to get consistent action as he ran for over 450 yards and a handful of touchdowns.
Joining Shaw in the backfield is the veteran Pittsburgh transfer that head coach Paul Chryst brought over from Pittsburgh, Chris James. No matter who the starter is, it is assumed that James and Shaw will see a pretty even split of carries and snaps this year, specifically depending on the situation. Shaw saw a lot of goal line time last year with the smaller, quicker Clement and Ogunbowale and will likely see that again this year, even with James.
A major misconception entering this preseason is that is only a two-person race in the backfield between James and Shaw.
Another fellow Pittsburgh transfer joining the Badgers is Rachid Ibrahim. Him and veteran Taiwan Deal will likely battle over the the No. 3 spot, which in essence can be considered the back up due to the fact that James and Shaw are basically going to be splitting the No. 1 spot. Deal and Ibrahim could see significant action if one or both of James and Shaw struggle.
With all that being said, do not assume it is going to be a 50/50 split with Shaw and James. Coach Chryst usually likes to ride the hot hand and with both of these guys’ explosive talent, we might be seeing a roller coaster of time between the two.
One more guy to keep an eye on is freshman Jonathan Taylor. While he is joining a crowded backfield, big things are expected from Taylor and it would not be surprising to see Chryst get him some real-time action right away.
Quarterback
Starting quarterback: Alex Hornibrook
Backup: Kare’ Lyles
If you are looking for a quarterback controversy, this is not the place to look. A very young group of quarterbacks will all have to wait their turn for sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook to be done.
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Hornibrook took over in game three last year as a freshman following the struggles of Bart Houston. After starting the remainder of the regular season games, Hornibrook injured his head during the season finale versus Minnesota, making Houston the starter again for the Big Ten Championship and Bowl Game. Hornibrook barely saw the field the rest of the year, which was due to his injury and the fact Houston was playing well.
This season, it is Hornibrook’s team start to finish, and the quarterback battle will be between freshmen Kare’ Lyles and Jack Coan, both of which who are expected to be an excellent predecessor to Hornibrook.
Hornibrook had his struggles last year, but it was nothing that was not expected after being thrown into the system as a start early in his career. The accuracy is there, but big questions entering the 2017 season will be his arm strength and awareness. Often caught telegraphing his passes at times, a lot of Hornibrook’s mistakes last year came during high-pressure situations in which he had to make split-second decisions.
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The run game will be a huge indication to Hornibrook’s success last year and were times his scapegoat last season. With an inexperienced backfield this year, it might turn to him to help get the running game going instead of the other way around. Overall, the Badgers have plenty of talent in both the passing attack and run game that if one is off, the other should be able to pick up the slack.
Wisconsin’s quest to return to the Big Ten championship will begin Friday, September 1 when they host Utah State under the lights.