Wisconsin football opens fall camp very soon and the 2024 season gets under way on August 30. The Badgers will take on Western Michigan at home under the lights of Camp Randall. Year two under head coach Luke Fickell should be better now that players have an entire year in the system.
The offense was up and down last season. We saw the good moments and the frustrating moments. It was about what we should have expected in a new air raid offense under offensive coordinator Phil Longo. This year should be better. Here in an early preview of the Wisconsin football offense.
Wisconsin Football Has a New Signal Caller
For the second year in a row, Wisconsin football will have a new starting quarterback. Tyler Van Dyke, the transfer out of Miami (FL), will likely be the starter. However, redshirt sophomore Brayden Locke will challenge Van Dyke in fall camp. I would be surprised if it was not Van Dyke under center against Western Michigan.
Van Dyke does not have the running ability like Tanner Mordecai did, but he has a great throwing arm and brings a ton of college football experience. I can see why Phil Longo and Luke Fickell like Van Dyke as he should be able to press the ball down the field more often than they were able to last season.
Wisconsin Football Has a New Running Back Duo
Gone is Braelon Allen, who is now with the New York Jets, after a successful three year run. However, Wisconsin football does return Chez Mellusi, The sixth year senior has suffered season ending injuries the last two seasons. He will not be the bell cow, but I thought when healthy he is a great addition to Phil Longo’s offense. In all honesty, he was a better back in the system than Braelon Allen was.
Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker will likely split reps with Mellusi. He also has one more year of eligibility left and is coming from one of the top programs in the country. At 5’9 and 222 pounds, Walker will be the thunder to this running back duo. Walker recorded 496 yards on the ground last season.
Familiarity On the Line and at Receiver
While there are new faces at quarterback and running back, the offensive line and receiver positions return a ton of familiar faces. The receiving duo of Will Pauling and Bryson Green are back for another year while players like Tretch Kekahuna, CJ Williams, and Vinny Anthony II look to make second year jumps. Pauling should be one of best receivers in the Big Ten. This group should help Tyler Van Dyke early on in the season while he gets settled in.
The offensive line loses two starters from last season, but part of that was Jake Renfroe missing all but one game. Joe Brunner, who came to UW with a ton of hype, will finally get his shot as a starter. Tackles Jack Nelson and Riley Mahlmann return and should provide a ton of stability. They could be one of the better tackle combos in the Big Ten.
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
