After predicting the Wisconsin football starting offense yesterday, today I switch over to the defense. There will be a lot of new faces, particularly at linebacker. Luke Fickell and his staff grabbed a handful of linebacker and defensive line transfers from the portal in the off-season. How much of an impact will they have this season? Overall, this should be a better and more talented side of the ball. Here is my early prediction for the Wisconsin football defensive starters.
Wisconsin Football Defensive Starters: Defensive Line- James Thompson Jr, Curt Neal, Brandon Lane
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This group as a whole did not pass the rusher well in 2023. As a result, Luke Fickell added some players in this group to help. James Thompson Jr and Curt Neal were solid last season and should lock up starting positions already.
I know it’s only day two of fall camp, but it looks like Brandon Neal is having a solid first two days. As a sophomore in 2023, Lane recorded 45 tackles for Stephen F. Austin. He is making an early case to be a starter on the defensive line and I am buying it. Do not be surprised if Ben Barten, who played significant snaps last year, retains this spot either. Right now, I would be okay wither either one.
Other players we should see are Cade McDonald, Ernest Willor Jr, Elijah Hills, and Jamel Howard.
Linebackers: Darryl Peterson, Jaheim Thomas, Jake Chaney, John Pius
I think this Wisconsin football team has many as seven starters at linebacker. It will be interesting to see if this is a position by committee where a chunck of players get significant snaps. I think that will be and should be the case.
On the outside, I liked the steps Darryl Peterson took last year. He ended up leading Wisconsin football in sacks in 2023. Transfer John Pius had a really solid spring season. It could be him or Leon Lowry, another transfer, fighting for this spot.
Inside seems pretty set with Jaheim Thomas and Jake Chaney. Fickell even said at Big Ten Media Days Chaney was a starter. Thomas, who had 90 tackles at Arkansas last year, is a big man at 6’4 and 245 pounds. He will take the other starting spot.
Other players to watch are USC transfer Tackett Curtis, North Carolina transfer Sebastian Cheeks, and Christian Alliegro.
Secondary: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, Hunter Wohler, Kamo’i Latu, Austin Brown (Nickel)
The best part of this is these five players all played big roles last season. There shouldn’t be much, if any, changes to the secondary. Hunter Wohler is one of the best players in the Big Ten and a very good safety. Despite Kamo’i Latu’s big step back a season ago, I think his nose for the ball and physicality gives him the early season nod next to Wohler.
By the end of the season, it was Hallman and Fourqurean as the starting corners. Hallman was an all-conference selection and coaches raved about Fourqurean’s spring. I also like Austin Brown’s nose for the ball and his physicality too. He could be a starting safety, but also fits the nickel role.
Other Wisconsin football safeties to watch are Preston Zachman and Brayden Moore. Corner to watch are RJ Delancy, Xavier Lucas, and Jonas Duclona.
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