Wisconsin Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Jazz Peavy #11 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the trophy after the Wisconsin Badgers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 24-16 in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin loses some key pieces in their secondary for 2017. The defensive backfield was good last year, recording 22 interceptions. However it was absolutely torched by Penn State in last year’s Big Ten championship game so beefing it up will help. That’s where cornerback Nick Nelson comes in.

Nelson is a transfer from Hawaii. He was a two year starter for the Rainbow Warriors, playing in 21 games. In those two seasons, he made 87 total tackles, had 2.5 tackles for loss including a sack, 2 forced fumbles and 20 passes defensed.

Due to NCAA rules, he sat out the 2016 season but learned the Badgers’ defensive scheme. Now he’s ready to roll for his first season as a Badger and make an immediate impact as a starter.

Nelson is a physical player and is the heaviest of the Badgers’ secondary, listed at 204 pounds. Wisconsin’s heavy use of press coverage is right up his alley and he should excel in this defense. Although it will be tough to top the 22 interceptions the 2016 secondary had, Nelson is sure to be one of its standouts this fall.

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