The Wisconsin Badgers football staff had been searching for help along the defensive line, but one key recruit may have fixed the problem.
Jamel Howard.
Bully.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/EYdQJmxo6l
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 4, 2023
Jamel Howard, a three-star defensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting class, has opened plenty of eyes with his performances as a true Freshman. Howard is a big, physical defensive lineman who has already proved he has the power to compete at the collegiate level. The Wisconsin football team has struggled to fill-in the major holes they had along the defensive line, but perhaps the emergence of Howard could help the team during the season.
Wisconsin Badgers Football Relying Upon All Experience Levels Across the Defense In 2023
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The Wisconsin football staff has tried their best to rebuild a defensive line that saw their heart and soul, Keeanu Benton, leave for the 2023 NFL Draft. Wisconsin added Temple transfer Darian Varner alongside their 2023 recruiting class commitments of three-star recruits Jamel Howard and Jordan Mayer. Varner, Howard, and Mayer are all solid additions, but on paper none of the players are prepared to replicate what Benton did for Wisconsin. However, as of late the Chicago native Howard has begun to prove himself during camp.
Howard, a 6-foot-3-inch, 320-pound defender is a physical freak on the gridiron. Howard understands how to use his body to his advantage and the defender consistently gains leverage against opposing offensive linemen. In 20 games played for his high school, Howard recorded 80 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The lineman was an unstoppable force as he constantly made his way into the face of the ball carrier.
The talented defensive lineman took an unconventional route to the Badgers. Howard committed to the Badgers under the past staff originally, and upon learning about the new staff joining the university, the recruit ended his commitment. Howard re-opened his recruiting and took seven visits, including one to Madison, before committing to the Badgers once again. Wisconsin was able to land Howard over LSU, Illinois, Miami (FL), and Michigan after battling hard for a talented recruit at a position of need.
Will Jamel Howard Help Take the Wisconsin Defensive Line to the Next Level?
Clearly the Wisconsin staff saw something in Howard since they battled for the recruit after losing his initial commitment. Wisconsin wanted Howard on the roster, which should say something about the talent and potential the staff sees in the lineman. This upcoming season, Wisconsin is going to need someone to step-up along their defensive line, but is Howard up for the task?
Thus far into camp, Howard has shown plenty of flashes and he has also displayed his physical power. However, the staff has not indicated what their perceived role for the player is just yet. If Howard can continue to put together dominant performances during camp like he already has, he will likely secure significant playing time during the upcoming season.
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