Wisconsin Football: How will Badgers replace Troy Fumagalli in 2018?

Wisconsin football will have a tall order in 2018, replacing star tight end Troy Fumagalli. Who does the job for the Badgers?

The Wisconsin Badgers football team will have one more contest in 2017 before hitting the offseason in preparation for the 2018 slate. While there is many reasons to be excited about the future for Wisconsin fans, including young talent and a great incoming recruiting class, it is hard to ignore some of the losses the team will be enduring following the conclusion of the season.

One loss of a player in particular, senior tight end Troy Fumagalli, will be the Badgers’ biggest concern heading into next season as the 6-foot-5 sure-handed receiver will be gone due to graduation and will likely welcome a spot in the NFL.

Heading into 2017, the Badgers and every one else on their schedule expected Fumagalli to be quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s number one target. Due to this, Fumagalli experienced a slow beginning to the year. This was not because of any poor play, but more so due to the emergence of other receivers aiding Hornibrook’s passing game.

Fumagalli eventually earned All-Big Ten and national honors following another incredible season that will be sure to improve his NFL stock. He finished with a team high 43 receptions and 516 yards. He was second on the team in touchdowns with four and played all but just one game.

In a system that is run-oriented, he also served as a major blocker in front of running back Jonathan Taylor. While those stats do not appear in the spotlight, the Badgers will have a tough time filling his void next season as a 6-foot-5, 235-pounder that can block and catch will be hard to replace.

In terms of Fumagalli’s receiving prowess, Wisconsin should not have too much trouble filling in for his contributions in 2018. Second on the team behind Fumagalli in receiving in 2017 was sophomore wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who finished the year with 501 yards on 30 catches and a team-high six touchdowns. Cephus also played three less games than Fumagalli due to a season-ending leg injury.

While Fumagalli has always been the go-to target when the Badgers get in must-throw situations, Cephus will take on full responsibility for that role next season. The only difference is that it will be coming from the wide receiver position and not at tight end.

With regards to the actual tight end position itself, the next man up mentality has been kind to the Badgers in recent history and the likely guy to step in to that spot next season will be senior Zander Neuville. In 2017, Neuville accounted for 81 yards on nice catches and two touchdowns. He will likely be competing for the spot with soon-to-be junior Kyle Penniston, who added seven catches and 51 yards with one touchdown in 2017.

Of course, the Badgers roster has other possible entrants to the position as the team boasts several young tight ends that will be sure to mold into greats one day. Additionally, the Badgers will be welcoming in three-star tight end Cormac Sampson from Eau Claire, Wisconsin next season.

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Wisconsin fans and the coaching staff have to be salivating over Sampson’s upside and his three-star mark. It is hard to remember that Fumagalli once entered the program as a walk-on. If the Badgers can get the same kind of development out of Sampson and other young members of the team, the sky is the limit for the program.