After staying on the offensive side of the most important Wisconsin Badgers for the 2023 season, we finally get to the defensive side of the ball. At number seven, I am going with cornerback Alexander Smith. Smith will be one of the starting corners this season and returns for his sixth and final year of eligibility. Below are links to numbers 10-8 as well.
Why Smith
You won’t find many players with 43 career games played with one school. Alexander Smith is one of those players. There’s no doubt he will be the leader of a very young and inexperienced group. Redshirt sophomore Ricardo Hallman should be opposite Smith, but there’s a bunch of young players after that. Adding Boston College transfer Jason Maitre I should help Smith as well.
Injuries have held Smith back to some degree over the course of his career. In 2022, Smith only played in sevens games. However, when he played, the defense was better and he did most of his work in the slot. He can play both the slot and the outside so his versatility should help this young back end of the defense grow as the season goes along. There’s no doubt if Smith can stay on the field, then Wisconsin will have a good duo in Smith and Hallman.
What To Expect in 2023
I expect Smith to be ready and contribute right away. I also believe he will be CB1 when Wisconsin opens the season September 2 against Buffalo. Assuming he can stay healthy and be on the field most of the season, I think the trio of Smith-Hallman-Maitre can be one of the better trios in the Big Ten. Between those three, there is a lot of college game experience under their belts.
I would not be surprised if we see Smith in the slot as well. He’s been effective there in the past. Whether injuries happen or just a simple corner rotation, the Badgers have a versatile player in the back end of their defense who needs to stay on the field. If he can, he should have a good 2023 season while the younger corners develop.
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