Continuing with on the offense side of the ball for Wisconsin football depth chart previews, today I look at the tight end position. What a 24 or so hours it’s been for this group. It was announced yesterday tight ends Clay Cundiff and Jack Eschenbach, arguably Wisconsin’s top two tight ends coming into this season, are no longer on the roster or with the program. It was mentioned they both voluntarily left. It was a thin room to begin with and now it gets even thinner. With that being said, who will take the reigns in what seems to be a wide open competition?
Starter- Hayden Rucci (Senior)
After recording six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Guarantee Rate Bowl, Hayden Rucci is the most productive returning tight end on the Wisconsin roster. However, don’t let the stats fool you. He has been on the field quite a bit over the last few seasons. He is seen more as a blocking tight end along with Jack Eschenbach while Clay Cundiff was more of the pass catching tight end. Rucci put on a good showing in the bowl game with Luke Fickell on the sideline. While this competition could go anywhere in fall camp, I’m going to stick with Rucci as I believe he fits Phil Longo’s system nicely.
Backup- Riley Nowakowski (Junior)
Couldn’t decide on a TE. Saw Rucci, Nowakowski and Pugh with the first team at different times. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ https://t.co/g6qJvE3S79
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 2, 2023
Riley Nowakowski makes the switch to tight end from fullback. It’s the perfect time to do as he will also see the field quite a bit this season. It’s hard to dissect what he will actually do this year at a new position. However, his experience as a fullback tells me he should be good in the blocking game. This should help the running game out as well. It’s possible we see Rucci more in pass play situations and a player like Nowakowski in the running game. Maybe a third and short or fourth and short situations. While the pass catching is still unclear, he brings good blocking to the table.
Who Else?
There are two young tight ends that we may not see much of this year but might in 2024 and beyond. That would be Jack Pugh and JT Seagreaves. Pugh is a big target at 6’5 and 252 pounds. Seagreaves is also a big target at 6’6 and 224 pounds. He also recorded a catch last season for three yards. Both have the ability to be factors in the receiving game. Look for these two to get reps in games that are out of reach and in mop up time.
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