We have been through two of the most important Wisconsin Badgers for the 2023 football season. Number 10 was Chez Mellusi and number nine was Clay Cundiff. Today, at number eight, I chose starting left tackle Jack Nelson. Nelson is going into his third year as the starting left left tackle for the Badgers. He is also arguably their best offensive lineman.
Why Nelson
As mentioned above, Nelson is probably Wisconsin’s best overall lineman. He’s been selected as an Honorable Mention All Big Ten player the last two seasons. That’s a big deal for the amount of quality linemen there are in the Big Ten.
Just like a quarterback needs a tight end for a security blanket, a quarterback also needs a good blind side tackle. Nelson will be that for quarterback Tanner Mordecai. If Nelson can hold his own on the left side and keep Mordecai off his back, it should give him that sense of security. After quarterback, left tackle is arguably the most important position on the football field.
What To Expect In 2023
Anything less than an all-conference selection would be considered a down year for Nelson. I expect him to perform at a high level. Assuming he does, it could be his last year with Wisconsin. I was a little surprised he did not declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, but this gives Nelson another year to raise his NFL draft stock. Wisconsin has been fortunate to have a long list of solid left tackles in their program and Nelson is one of those. If he can stay healthy and be productive, it should be another good year and another all-conference selection for Jack Nelson.
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