Wisconsin Football: Can Badgers reclaim Big Ten West in 2019?
By Kyle Grondin
Defense should once again be elite
The middle of the Badgers’ defense was consistently the strongest in the country last season, but now have even more question marks across the field and in the front-seven.
The Badgers rated among the top 15 defenses in the country each year since 2012. Last season, they finished 29th, according to S&P+. While 29th is still impressive, it’s not Wisconsin impressive, a team that prides itself on defense.
Once again, injuries, inexperience and a defensive line that was uncharacteristically bad last season, derailed a team that expects to put up top five defenses year after year.
In their base 3-4 set, the defensive line looks much stronger this season, with Garrett Rand back from injury. The former four-star recruit looks set to take on a big pass rushing role in 2019, finally getting his opportunity after playing behind TJ Watt and Garret Dooley his first two seasons. Losing him and Olive Sagapolu in the middle of the season derailed this front, who even moved offensive lineman Kayden Lyles over to the defensive line for emergency purposes, making it difficult for this team to be successful.
Nose tackle Bryson Williams got a lot of reps in Sagapolu’s place, and looks to take a step forward. They’ll be joined on the line by Isaiahh Loudermilk, who is a monster at 6-foot-7 and almost 300 pounds. The defensive line will bounce back.
At linebacker, seniors Zach Baun and Chris Orr lead a unit that will be good again, blitzing off the edge and stuffing the running game as usual. Andrew Van Ginkel was the team’s best pass rusher from the outside linebacker position last season, and replacing his workload will be tough. I’m interested to see how sophomore Izayah Green-May performs in 2019, as he’s competing for the starting job. At 6-6 and almost 230 pounds, he’s got the length and speed to make a huge impact pass rushing off the edge.
The defensive backs for the Badgers look set to be some of the best and youngest groups in the conference last season.
After going through the growing pains last season, with many players getting their first opportunities to play, the Badgers now have five capable starters at the cornerback position. Faion Hicks started 11 games last season, and will start the season as the No. 1 cornerback on the roster. He’ll be paired with Caesar Williams, as the duo combined to make six pass breakups last season.
Behind them, Rachad Wildgoose showed flashes of elite cornerback play as a true freshman, and he’ll push the starters for more playing time.
At safety, Eric Burrell and Scott Nelson make a dynamic duo, Burrell finishing sixth on the team in tackles while Nelson has some of the best ball skills on the team. Nelson finished with six pass breakups last season and should take another leap at the free safety role.
This secondary is still young, but is deep and talented, and should help lead the defense in 2019.