The Wisconsin Badgers had an open night practice before ending the Platteville camp portion of the pre-season preparations.
Wisconsin put together another great camp in Platteville and will likely walk away with questions than answers, which could be a positive thing for the program. Wisconsin has a number of players who have put together impressive camps and made a name for themselves, but do not necessarily have a specific role with the team yet.
Some transfers and underclassmen have looked fantastic while some veterans have looked a step slow in comparison, thus creating a multitude of questions ahead the staff will answer in the coming weeks before the season officially kicks off.
With the final night practice open to the public completed and a return to Madison scheduled, here are 11 thoughts that are likely going to be on the minds of the staff.
1. Wisconsin Badgers Might Have Found the Answer at QB in Billy Edwards Jr.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Billy Edwards Jr. is the ‘guy’ for Wisconsin at quarterback and had been someone who excited the Badgers after he made his way into the transfer portal. Edwards Jr. has been nothing short of impressive for the Badgers throughout camp between his strong arm and capable scrambling ability.
Quarterback has been an interesting position for the Badgers between bad luck and a lack of capable talent ready to hit the field. Edwards Jr. could be the transfer quarterback who finally figures things out in Madison due to the balance he has shown camp between his ground game and the plays he can make through the air.
2. Backup QB Displaying Signs of Development Following Transfer Into Madison
On the topic of quarterbacks, Danny O’Neil has looked like a solid, capable quarterback with the second team throughout camp. O’Neil was not necessarily brought into the program to start, but the quarterback has shown some improvement in areas where he previously struggled.
The quarterback is still improving as a passer and has had a couple potential interceptions saved by excellent plays from his receivers in camp. O’Neil is not necessarily the top option, but has proven to be capable on the field and should add an another layer of protection at the position.
Previously, the Wisconsin Badgers lost starting quarterbacks Tanner Mordecai and Tyler Van Dyke to injury, thus forcing back-up Braedyn Locke to jump into the starting role each season. The Wisconsin Badgers hope to avoid a similar situation and has completely retooled the quarterback room in an effort to do so.
3. Wisconsin Badgers Transfer OLB Looks Amazing Despite Rough Injury
Wisconsin added plenty of transfers but by far the most exciting one has been outside linebacker Mason Reiger, a former walk-on with the Louisville Cardinals. Reiger has looked powerful, quick, and tenacious on the field after missing all of last season due to an injury.
The time off was originally a major question, but Reiger has blown all questions and doubts out of the water with his performances during camp. The outside linebacker is set to be a major contributor for the Badgers during the upcoming season after looking incredible on the field in just a short period of time.
4. Wisconsin Could Utilize Two-Headed Attack With Running Back Depth
The Wisconsin Badgers are going to have a tough, yet good, problem ahead in the backfield as Dilin Jones, Darrion Dupree, and Cade Yacamelli continue to develop. Dupree is set to be the primary back but Jones has had an exceptional camp and keeping the running back off the field could be a very difficult task moving forward.
Yacamelli has dealt with losing his role in the best possible way and the work the running back has been putting in has not gone unnoticed by the staff. Some combination of Jones and Dupree splitting carries during the season seems likely given the different looks the two give to the offense.
5. Young DB Developing Quickly on the Fly as Nyzier Fourqurean May Not Play
Omilio Agard has been one of the top defensive backs throughout camp and the performances he has put together could be vital moving forward. Wisconsin still awaits major news regarding the eligibility of Nyzier Fourqurean, and Agard could be the man who forces his way onto the field to take over.
The defensive back looks quick and strong on the field, rarely allowing any receivers to gain a chunk of space after spending last season developing his game. Agard is going to be someone to watch throughout the season as the defensive back could carve out a role for himself should he continue to impress the staff during practice.
6. Former Michigan State Transfer Receiver Impressing Staff, Displaying Improvements
Tyrell Henry has looked much more confident and sharper on the field with the Wisconsin Badgers this camp than he did during the season. Previously, Henry recorded one catch last season for Wisconsin and generally struggled to pull ahead of the other receivers in the room.
The receiver had a chance to carve out playing time as a punter returner, but ultimately lost the role after muffing a punt. This season, however, Henry has looked completely different for the Badgers and appears to be playing much more aggressively this season throughout camp. Henry has never had the same chance he will receive this season in terms of a solidified role within the offense and the receiver appears to be prepared to make the most of his opportunity.
7. Wisconsin Badgers Still Deciding on Special Teams Starters
The Wisconsin Badgers still have a relatively wide open special teams unit, with many positions still open and players still battling for a chance to prove themselves. Wisconsin does not have an official returner yet, but an option for both kicks and punts could be transfer safety Matthew Jung.
The safety scored a return touchdown last season and also recorded an 82-yard kick return as a special teams star for Bethel. Henry could potentially redeem himself and earn the right to return punts again after struggling last season while Vinny Anthony II and Trech Kekahuna are also returning options.
8. Defensive Line Depth Truly Impressing Badgers Staff
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The defensive line has been an area where Wisconsin has struggled in terms of production over the past few seasons. The Badgers have produced some of the lowest pressure rates in the Big Ten Conference and simply cannot afford to do so again while playing against the stacked upcoming schedule.
Wisconsin has added plenty of talent to the room and the new approach to the room has been clear given the performances that were put on display in Platteville. Wisconsin did not have just one standout, but rather a rotating list of players who performed well including Charles Perkins, Dillan Johnson, and Brandon Lane.
Perkins was one of the top transfer additions the staff made during the offseason and the pure power of the defender has impressed throughout camp. Johnson, on the other hand, continues to steadily develop and could be a solid producer for the Badgers during the season if he continues to perform.
9. Lance Mason Could Bring More Production to the Wisconsin Badgers Tight End Room
The Wisconsin Badgers scrambled to add a tight end after Tanner Koziol entered the transfer portal following a very short stay in Madison. Enter Lance Mason, and the Badgers feel they have just the man to fill the void that was leftover following the transfer.
Mason has looked not only promising during camp but has also impressed with how quickly he has been able to catch-up on the offense. The Missouri State transfer has a massive frame and a willingness to receive, block, and lead when the offense needs him to do so.
Tight end has been a position of need for Wisconsin as the production out of the room has been significantly low since Jake Ferguson left for the NFL, but Thomas could be the man who changes that trend.
10. Former Walk-on Impressing Throughout Camp
Wisconsin has had multiple underdog stories come to life this off-season but none have been quite as good to watch as the development of Nolan Vils. The former in-state walk-on defensive lineman has spent nearly three seasons developing now but finally has begun to show signs of being ready to compete on the field. Vils came in a bit undersized out of high school but has since put on upwards of 20-pounds and has no qualms battling against other larger linemen after previous enduring some struggles.
The defensive lineman likely will not find a path to the field during the season given the amount of talent along the defensive line, but Vils could pressure the staff into playing him should he continue to perform behind the scenes.
11. Wisconsin Taking New Approach, Mentality Towards Practicing
In total, the Wisconsin Badgers have looked entirely different at practices this season as the vibe of the program has shifted. Wisconsin is incredibly focused and practices are treated as seriously as games in order to keep players accountable and force the team to work on the individual weaknesses that could bring everyone down on game-day.
The Badgers have a more serious energy surrounding the program and have put on blinders as one of the toughest schedules in the country looms.
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