The Wisconsin Badgers displayed one of the worst defensive line units last season in the Big Ten Conference, and aim to flip the script.
A season ago, Wisconsin ranked dead last in the nation in tackles for loss (42) and forced the fewest turnovers in 25 years with just four interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. The Badgers were arguably one of the least disruptive teams in all of college football last season, allowing 40 point performances out of Nebraska and Iowa.
One thing Wisconsin struggled with consistently up front last season was winning pushes and getting into the backfield in a timely manner. Simply put, the Badgers allowed offenses to have far too much time to avoid contact and make a play, which in turn puts the rest of the defense in an awkward position. The Badgers, however, aim to change that after adding significant size to the room for the 2025 season
Wisconsin Badgers Add Much Needed Size to Defensive Line Ahead of Difficult 2025 Schedule
Last season, the Wisconsin Badgers had just three players along the defensive line who weighed over 300-pounds. Wisconsin has greatly changed that number and will now have nine 300-pound players on the defensive line after a combination of scouting talent in the transfer portal and asking current players to bulk up.
Wisconsin added Charles Perkins, Parker Petersen, and Jay’viar Suggs, who combine for 925-pounds of mass along the line. The trio combined for seven sacks last season, which may not be a great amount, but would still be greater than the 3.5 sacks recorded by Wisconsin defensive lineman last season. The Badgers do not necessarily need someone to explode this season and record double-digit sacks, but rather need an entire unit that is capable of creating pressure.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In addition to Perkins, Petersen, and Suggs, the Wisconsin Badgers other 300-pounders along the defensive line include Ben Barten, Dillan Johnson, Nolan Vils, Jamel Howard Jr., Xavier Ukponu, and Brandon Lane Jr.
Johnson is a particularly interesting case as the defensive lineman caught on with the Badgers last season and earned meaningful snaps towards the end of the year. However, Johnson was nearly 20-pounds light a season ago and his claim to fame was the speedy array of moves he possessed. The Wisconsin Badgers staff including defensive line coach EJ Whitlow wanted Johnson to add more to his frame, and Johnson was able to do just that.
Despite adding the size to fit the new mold Wisconsin is looking for at the position, Johnson still remains just as quick and capable. Another player in a similar situation has been Nolan Vils, a former walk-on who has gained nearly 40-pounds since joining the program three years ago. Vils has finally broken the 300-pound threshold, and could be someone who lands in a similar situation on the field as Johnson was in last season.
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