After coming off a tie for second in the Big Ten West last season, the Wisconsin Badgers lost some key players from key position groups. They did address some needs in the transfer portal. They also have young players that will look to step up and become key contributors. Here are the position group I think have the most to prove in the 2022 season.
Safety
I think safety is a position group worth watching this season. Scott Nelson and Colin Wilder played a lot of football and are no longer with the Badgers. Former walk on John Torchio should occupy one of the starting spots as he as played a lot of snaps over the course of his career.
I believe the second starter will be sophomore Hunter Wohler. The four star prospect played mainly special teams last season. However, in the few snaps I saw him at safety, the potential was there and he has the speed and strength to play against opposing offenses.
The Badgers did add Utah transfer Kamo’i Latu and I believe he can make things interesting and potentially be a starter as well. I think that was a great pickup by the Badgers.
Tight End
This could be the position group that has the most to prove this season. Jake Ferguson caught all but six passes between all tight ends last season. He stayed heathy and was one of the best in the Big Ten and the country.
Most signs point to Jack Eschenbach getting the nod as the starter. We’ve seen Eschenbach in double tights mostly, but he has a great chance to win this job. Expect Clay Cundiff to see snaps as well and should be involved in a ton of sets. Another name to keep an eye on is Hayden Rucci. Rucci is a good run blocking tight end and should see the field as well.
Wide Receiver
The Badgers lose Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor. These two played five seasons and made great contributions. Now that they are gone, junior Chimere Dike is the leader of the receiver room. The Badgers also added UCLA transfer Keontez Lewis. Lewis should make an immediate contribution to a young position group.
Also, I expect sophomores Markus Allen and Skyler Bell to crack the rotation. I love the raw potential both players showed in the bowl game against Arizona State. Dean Engram also joins the room after playing corner the last few years. Offensive Coordinator Bobby Engram has a young core, but a core that has experience and potential.
Inside Linebacker
Besides tight end, this could be the position group that has a ton to prove this year. Both Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal are in the NFL and were one of the best inside linebacker duos in the country. No matter the potential, the Badgers will deeply miss those two.
Wisconsin is set at outside linebacker with Nick Herbig and C.J. Goetz. At inside linebacker, I am looking at Jordan Turner and Tatum Grass to take over the starting inside linebacker duo. I really like what Turner showed in the bowl game and Grass appears to be ready to make the next step.
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