Fall camp for Wisconsin football begins tomorrow in preparation for the 2024 season. The Badgers will spend some time at UW-Platteville before heading back to Madison. It’s going to be a hard schedule this season with games against Alabama, Penn State, Oregon, and USC. The Wisconsin football roster has a good mix of players from last season and new faces to the program. As camp gets underway, here are my three headlines entering the season.
Does Wisconsin Football Have a Quarterback Competition?
Wisconsin football brought in Miami (FL) transfer Tyler Van Dyke for his final season of college eligibility. The Badgers also return redshirt sophomore Brayden Locke, who made three starts last season. Overall, there is some good starting experience on this roster at the quarterback position.
Is this a competition though? It sure seems like it. Members of the media who attended media day for Wisconsin football mentioned Phil Longo feels like this is a fall camp battle.
Me? I don’t see this as much of a battle. I don’t think Van Dyke would have came to Madison if he wasn’t 100% sure he was the guy. I also don’t think Luke Fickell and Longo would have invested time into Van Dyke if he didn’t think he would have been the guy in 2024. I would be shocked if Locke was starting August 30.
A Crowded Linebacker Room
Ncaa Guaranteed Rate Bowl
This Wisconsin football roster should be deeper and much more talented this season. In particular, the linebacker position should be much different. Players like Darryl Peterson and Jake Chaney were productive last year and will play a big role this season.
However, Wisconsin football brought in players like Jaheim Thomas, John Pius, Leon Lowry, Sebastian Cheeks, and Tackett Curtis from the transfer portal. I am not sure if there will be set starters, but there are at least 8-9 linebackers on this roster who could get significant playing time. It’s clear Fickell is emphasizing the pass rush, This group should help the defensive line do that.
An Experienced Offense Returning
With a likely new quarterback under center this season, there is a ton of offensive players returning. UW’s likely five starting offensive linemen were all with the program last year. All have a ton of experience with the exception of Joe Brunner, who is in his third year with the program.
Wisconsin football also returns their top two receivers from last year in Will Pauling and Bryson Green. Players like Vinny Anthony II and C.J. Williams, who I think are battling for the third starting receiver spot, got good reps last season as well and should make year two jumps.
The Badgers did lose Braelon Allen, but does return sixth year running back Chez Mellusi. He should be splitting carries with Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker. This offense should be up to speed right away on August 30.
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