After looking at what the starting offense could potentially look like for Wisconsin football yesterday, today I switch over to the defensive side. Like the offense, the defense has some positions they need to replace. The Badgers did that by going heavy on the linebacker position in the transfer portal. This group and unit should be better under second year defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. Here is an early look at what the Wisconsin football offense could look like this season.
Wisconsin Football Defensive Line: Curt Neal, James Thompson Jr, TJ Bollers
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I was worried going into this season about the depth of this group for Wisconsin football. Credit should go to a player like Ben Barten, who played really well last season will provide some meaningful snaps.
Players like Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr played a ton as starters last season. Their production should be huge for this unit and this Wisconsin football team.
I am exited to see a player like TJ Bollers finally crack the rotation on a consistent basis. A highly touted recruit of out high school, Bollers has sort of fallen out of the rotation in his time in Madison. That should change this season.
Cade McDonald and new transfer Ernst Willor Jr should be able to provide some reps as well. All in all, this group has six players we could see over the course of a game.
Linebackers: By Committee
As you can see, I don’t have who I think could start on the outside and inside this season. That’s because I think there are up to seven potential starters in this group alone. This is a really nice problem to have if you are Wisconsin football, Mike Tressel, and Luke Fickell.
One player I feel will start this year is Darryl Peterson. Peterson had a really nice 2023 season as the top edge rusher. That should not change this season as he will be the top rusher again.
This is where it gets fun. I think the Badgers can use John Pius, Leon Lowry, Tackett Curtis, Sebastian Cheeks, Jahiem Thomas, Christian Alliegro, and Jake Chaney in some form throughout a game. They all have a ton of talent. This should be the best position group on this Wisconsin football roster
Corners: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, Austin Brown (Slot)
Ricardo Hallman is one of the best corners in the Big Ten coming back. He was excellent last year as the top corner on this roster. Hallman should be able to make another big step in 2024.
Nyzeir Fourqurean has taken the reigns at the other corner spot after playing a big role near the end of last season. The Badgers also have Michael Mack and young players like Jonas Duclona and Amare Snowden that could see some snaps too.
Brown is a big hitting safety, but also has the ability to defend in the slot. Tressel used Jason Maitre in this role last season and used it a ton. Expect to see a lot of Austin Brown this season.
Safety: Hunter Wohler and Kamo’i Latu
I thought Hunter Wohler had a chance to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. He was that good a season ago. Wohler was a vocal leader on this team when they hit a skid, challenging his teammates while also setting the example on the field. Wisconsin football has one of the best safeties in the country coming back.
I am looking to see if Kamo’i Latu can have a bounce back year. After a really good 2022 season, Latu fell out of the rotation in the middle of the 2023 season. Preston Zachmann took a majority of those snaps. Latu is a physical safety and can defend well too.
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