WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot
    Packers

    This Green Bay Packers Starting Linebacker is on the Bubble

    May 25, 2023
    best green bay packers fantasy team names

    58 Best Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Names

    May 24, 2023
    Wisconsin Badgers football

    Wisconsin Badgers Football: Top 2024 Target To Visit From Potential Pipeline

    May 24, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • This Green Bay Packers Starting Linebacker is on the Bubble
    • 58 Best Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Names
    • Wisconsin Badgers Football: Top 2024 Target To Visit From Potential Pipeline
    • Milwaukee Bucks Expected To Trade All-Star For Massive Haul
    • Multiple New York Jets Players Make “Anonymous” Comments About Aaron Rodgers
    • Green Bay Packers 2023 Opponent Punished For Cheating (Breaking)
    • Green Bay Packers Fans React To Matt LaFleur’s Announcement Two Days Into OTAs
    • Green Bay Packers: 4X Pro-Bowl Weapon Emerges On Trade Block
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Mark Mayfield
    • Our Writers
    • Store
    Facebook Twitter RSS
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
    • Packers
      • Aaron Rodgers News
      • Jordan Love News
      • Packers News
      • Packers Rumors
      • Packers History
    • Bucks
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo News
      • Bucks News
      • Bucks Rumors
    • Brewers
      • Brewers News
      • Brewers Rumors
    • Badgers
      • Wisconsin Badgers Football
      • Wisconsin Badgers Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Hockey
      • Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling
    • Marquette
      • Marquette Basketball
    • Draft
      • 2023 NFL Draft Big Board & Scouting Reports
      • 2023 NFL Mock Drafts
    • Milkmen
      • Milwaukee Milkmen News
      • Milwaukee Milkmen Rumors
    • Podcasts
      • CheeseDads Sports
      • Packers Podcast
      • Wickett On Wisconsin
    • Betting
      • Ohio
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • New York
      • Michigan
      • Arizona
    • Fantasy
    • NFL
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    Home»Sports»Wisconsin Badgers»Wisconsin Badgers Football»Wisconsin Football Preview: Defensive Line
    Wisconsin Badgers Football

    Wisconsin Football Preview: Defensive Line

    Griffin GambleBy Griffin GambleJuly 12, 2022Updated:April 19, 2023No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    keeanu
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Continuing the preview of each position group for Wisconsin football, we switch sides of the ball and take a look at the always impressive defensive group. To be more specific, today will be the defensive line who has some major holes to fill. Matt Henningsen who is now a member of the Denver Broncos. I think the Badgers front group doesn’t get enough credit for the role they play in the always stout defensive group under Jim Leonhard. Let’s take a look at the projected starters.

    Star in the Middle

    Keeanu Benton is a legit NFL talent. the 6’4 senior earned All-Big Ten second team (coaches), All-Big Ten honorable mention (media) last season. While coming into this season, has already been named preseason Fourth-team All-America (Phil Steele). Benton showed signs of complete domination up front last season, and I expect him to carry this new defensive line. Playing in a 3-4, it is always important to have a big nose tackle to cause havoc in the middle.

    One of my favorite clips of Keenau and his impressive athleticism for his size is this pick six he caused against Rutgers last season. Here’s to hoping Keeanu stays healthy and shows off his skills, as that could mean a chance to chase his dreams of playing in the NFL next season.

    See you on Sundays, Keeanu Benton. pic.twitter.com/7DMahBCs0O

    — Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) November 6, 2021

    Other Projected Starters

    The vibe that defensive line coach Ross Kolodziej is giving off from this spring is that the two starters next to Keaanu will be Redshirt Senior Isaiah Mullens and Redshirt Junior Rodas Johnson. Mullens is a 6’4 297 pound defensive end who made great strides last season. Setting new career highs in tackles and sacks, I think has a guy who could really breakout for this Badgers front 7.

    The final piece to this puzzle is Rodas Johnson. Rodas came to Madison as a 4-star recruit. Another guy who the Badgers have been really high on and expect to take that next step. Rodas made a huge play in that forgettable Notre Dame game last season.

    Rodas Johnson gets a huge hit on backup QB Drew Pyne. Jack Coan went out of the game with an injury. Wisconsin is deep in Notre Dame territory right now.

    NOTRE DAME 10
    WISCONSIN 10

    pic.twitter.com/LZeMpz40Zj

    — Brendan Moore (@bmoorecfb) September 25, 2021

    Backups

    Isaac Townsend is a great backup for Wisconsin headed into the season. The once Oregon Duck who transferred to the Badgers. The former 3-star recruit has struggled with abdominal injuries this spring which is the reason we will most likely see him off the bench this season. Backing up Benton will be Gio Paez or Ben Barten. Barten received a lot of the snaps this spring when Keaanu was out for some time and the 300 pound former offensive lineman showed some good stuff.

    Finally, backing up Rodas will be Redshirt Sophomore James Thompson Jr. At 6’5, Thompson Jr is physically gifted and does well at clogging running lanes. I think that Rodas will be the starter, however Thompson Jr. will be no slouch as his backup.

    Overall, Coach Kolodziej has done a fantastic job at retooling this front group after losing NFL talent. If this group can overachieve their expectations, we will see the Badgers as the Nations top defense once again.

    Follow me on Twitter @gamble_griffin3 and follow @DylanBuboltz for the offensive position previews.  @WiSportsHeroics Click below to read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!

     

    badgers football Defensive LIne Keeanu Benton
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Griffin Gamble
    • Twitter

    Related Posts

    Wisconsin Badgers football

    Wisconsin Badgers Football: Top 2024 Target To Visit From Potential Pipeline

    May 24, 2023
    ChatGPT ranks the top 20 college football teams

    ChatGPT Ranks the Top 20 College Football Programs

    May 24, 2023
    Wisconsin Badgers football recruiting offensive linemen

    Wisconsin Badgers: Explosive 2024 Three-Star Lineman Expected To Visit

    May 24, 2023
    Wisconsin Badgers football practice

    Wisconsin Badgers Football Sets Official Visit With Three-Star Corner Back

    May 23, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    TRENDING
    Packers

    This Green Bay Packers Starting Linebacker is on the Bubble

    May 25, 2023
    best green bay packers fantasy team names

    58 Best Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Names

    May 24, 2023
    Wisconsin Badgers football

    Wisconsin Badgers Football: Top 2024 Target To Visit From Potential Pipeline

    May 24, 2023
    USATSI 20394258 1 e1684984427477

    Milwaukee Bucks Expected To Trade All-Star For Massive Haul

    May 24, 2023
    Aaron Rodgers injury

    Multiple New York Jets Players Make “Anonymous” Comments About Aaron Rodgers

    May 24, 2023
    USATSI 16565663 1 e1684979570639

    Green Bay Packers 2023 Opponent Punished For Cheating (Breaking)

    May 24, 2023
    WI Sports Heroics
    Facebook Twitter RSS
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisement
    • Privacy Policy
    • Store
    © 2023 WISportsHeroics All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.