The Wisconsin football team has completed their live portion of training camp ahead of the 2024 season with some questions.
The Badgers previously exited Platteville after a productive two weeks with a different intensity, and the staff made some big decisions. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was finally named the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, and first-year cornerback Xavier Lucas earned playing time against the first-team. Now, the Wisconsin staff has a new set of questions they must answer before starting the season against Western Michigan.
Wisconsin Football Staff Impressed, Intrigued By Talent From Top to Bottom
One of the best feelings a staff can have is feeling like the team almost has too much talent. It is difficult to watch players develop and succeed each day knowing that some players will not be playing on gamed during the season. For the Wisconsin football staff, many of these decisions are starting to be made as starters have been named for the majority of positions.
The Wisconsin football staff hosted nearly four weeks of open practice for the fans and media alike to get a close look at the team. Now, the staff is bringing the team into the private portion of their practices as they attempt to finalize their roster and depth chart before the start of the season.
Which Linebackers Are Going to Start for the Wisconsin Badgers Football Team?
If there is one position room the Badgers have an abundance of players at, it is certainly the linebacking core for the team. Wisconsin currently has a duo of Jake Chaney and Sebastian Cheeks to fill the middle, with Tackett Curtis fighting for playing time. Curtis has been someone who has impressed Wisconsin with his willingness to do anything on the field, but still has not secured a real role yet.
On the outside, the Wisconsin football staff is likely going to start Jaheim Thomas and Leon Lowery, two transfer linebackers with the ability to rush or cover if needed. Fellow outside linebacker John Pius appears to have earned a role as a pass rusher for Wisconsin, due to his ability to get into the backfield. Freshman Anelu Lafaele has made plenty of noise as well, potentially earning playing time this upcoming season with Thomas Heiberger out for an unknown amount of time.
Can Wide Receiver CJ Williams Crack the Starting Lineup in the Future?
Perhaps one of the most interesting stories surrounding Wisconsin involves receiver CJ Williams, a former USC transfer. Williams signed on as a four-star wide receiver in the 2022 recruiting class with USC, the 73rd national ranking and the 10th-overall ranking as a receiver. Williams was a premier signing for the Trojans, but struggled to make the field and ultimately transferred to Wisconsin following the hiring of Head Coach Luke Fickell.
Williams recorded four receptions his freshman season, and then recorded 15 last season with the Badgers for just 148 total yards. The receiver struggled last season with Wisconsin, and may struggle again this season due to the depth the Badgers have at the position.
Williams is currently behind receivers Will Pauling, Bryson Green, Trech Kekahuna, and Tyrell Henry on the Wisconsin football depth chart. The receiver needs to make the most of the remaining time he has before camp to refine his technical skills ahead of this upcoming season. Williams has all the tools to excel for Wisconsin, but it will be a matter of whether or not he can make the most of his opportunities.
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