During the second day of practice for the Wisconsin football program, two players began to stand out as they aim to impress this season.
Running back Darrion Dupree and linebacker John Pius are two players in different situations on the team, but both with the same goal. Dupree and Pius are both hoping to prove just how talented they are this upcoming season as they battle for playing time. The Wisconsin football staff has made it clear that nothing will be given but rather earned, including playing time, which these two talented athletes certainly could earn.
Wisconsin Football Pushing Players to Compete, Battle for Playing Time
With football camp officially under way, the Wisconsin Badgers football staff has worked hard this off-season to ensure their players make the most of this time. Last season, Wisconsin appeared to be in disarray at times and played a touch slow, which is difficult to come back from against top teams. However this upcoming season will showcase plenty of new faces and contributors as Wisconsin is pushing for success.
Along with pushing for success, the Wisconsin football staff is also pushing their players to earn their time on the field this upcoming season. Wisconsin football Head Coach Luke Fickell sported a sweatshirt with the words “Hunt or Be Hunted” on it last practice, and spoke about the significance of the quote on the program.
Both Fickell and the rest of the Wisconsin football staff want an environment where players are consistently pushing each other to get better. The first step in that process comes in practice where players will need to battle each other to earn repetitions and potential playing time.
New Running Back Darrion Dupree Impressing During Limited Repetitions
After signing on as a four-star running back, Darrion Dupree immediately began to work towards carving out a role for himself. The running back was one of three players to sign for Wisconsin at the position, adding plenty of skill to an already deep room. Dupree is a dynamic running back and has been working to prove that since the OTA camp in Madison earlier this summer.
During the most recent practice, Dupree received his time to shine during one-on-one drills against transfer linebacker Jaheim Thomas. Thomas was a tackling machine last season for the Arkansas Razorbacks, recording 90 total tackles against opposing defenses. Dupree made a cut to the left after shaking Thomas out which caught the attention of all the players and staff in the area.
The players cheered following the play the running back made, and the person he made the play against is worth noting.
Clearly the running back will need more than a few highlight plays and good practices to carve out playing time for himself. The question is going to be what the Wisconsin football staff would do with Dupree and how they would utilize him in their offense if he were to earn playing time.
Wisconsin Badgers Football Program Becoming Home to Linebacker John Pius
One of the more interesting players to have recently transferred into the Wisconsin program is linebacker John Pius. Pius, a former standout on the William & Mary Tribe defense, put himself on the map the past two seasons with 18.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The linebacker entered the transfer portal to compete for something bigger at a bigger program.
A season ago, Wisconsin generated very little pressure on both the quarterback and the running back which resulted in low sack and turnover numbers. Wisconsin finished last season with a turnover ratio of zero, meaning the offense turned the ball over just as much as the defense generated turnovers. Along with this, Wisconsin secured six less sacks than they allowed, having sacked the quarterback 23 times last season and allowing 29 sacks.
Enter Pius, and Wisconsin has a determined, high-motor linebacker that loves to live in the backfield. The linebacker is dominant on the field and can switch between power and speed moves with ease. Through the early OTA-style practices and the first two sessions in Platteville, Pius has continued to impress the staff as he eyes a true breakout season.
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