The 2024 Wisconsin football season is only a few months away! The Badgers open the season August 30 at home against Western Michigan. There will be plenty of new faces to see, but also plenty of returning players from last season. Year 2 under head coach Luke Fickell should be better.

Fall camp will always have its fair share of position battles. I think there will be a few battles to watch over the course of August, Here are a few competitions we should keep our eye on.

Wisconsin Football Position Battle: Safety

There is no doubt Hunter Wohler will be one of the starting safeties. I could make the argument he is the best overall player on this Wisconsin football roster. However, I think the other safety position is up for grabs. That could be between Kamo’i Latu, Austin Brown, and Preston Zachman.

Over the course of spring ball, Brown did spend a lot of time as the slot corner. He could very well end up there. On the other hand, Max Lofy, a veteran on this team, had a good spring and could take that slot corner spot if Brown is moved to safety. I like Brown’s physicality and his range. He fits the other safety spot perfectly.

Latu is a player I will have my eye on. After a solid first season with Wisconsin football. Latu struggled last season and didn’t appear in a few games as well. Zachman took that role and did very well with it. I think Latu is the better player, but this defense wouldn’t miss much if Zachman got the nod.

Right now, I think Latu wins the spot and Brown is the starting slot corner.

Wisconsin Football Position Battle: Third Wide Receiver

This will be one of the better position battles in fall camp. Why does the third receiver matter? Phil Longo almost always has at least three receivers on the field at all times. This position is expected to produce and can be a legitimate weapon.

There is no doubt about the talent C.J. Williams has. He is a former five star recruit and has comparisons to Keenan Allen. Last season was his first productive year of college football. It was a little bit of a slow start, but Williams did make plays throughout the year.

Vinny Anthony II, who was a return specialist the last few years, had a great spring season and will likely challenge Williams for a starting position. I think both players see a lot of playing time this season, but this seems like a 50/50 split. I will go with Williams right now, but Anthony will get his reps too.

Wisconsin Football Position Battle: Starting Tight End

Tight end is one of the glaring positions on this Wisconsin football roster. It was a group that didn’t produce much at all in 2023. Tucker Ashcraft saw a ton of time as a true freshman last season. While he had some nice plays, he doesn’t create a ton of separation and is more of a blocking tight end.

Riley Nowakowski is in this competition too. Like Ashcraft, he is more of a pass blocking tight end who can make plays at the goal line. I believe this is a 50/50 split for reps. With how much backs and receivers are used in the Wisconsin football offense, it may not matter who the starter is.

Wisconsin Football Position Battle: Starting Linebackers

This is a good problem to have. I have said a lot recently that the Badgers have as many as eight potential starting linebackers on this roster. Fickell and the staff attacked this position in the off-season. It appears they were successful at it.

I am not sure if there will be a set group of starters, but I think Jake Chaney and Darryl Peterson will be two of the starters. They were the best linebackers on this roster last season and they deserve a shot to keep their starting roles.

The other two positions are wide open. I think it comes down to transfer Leon Lowry, John Pius, and Jahiem Thomas. Based on what we saw from Wisconsin football media writers in spring, I think Thomas and Lowery get the early nods. Pius will see a ton of reps too. Add in Tackett Curtis and that is six very good linebackers that will produce this season.

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