Fall camp began today for Wisconsin football and the countdown to the 2024 season is getting closer. The Badgers had their first practice at UW-Platteville. They will be there for a few weeks before coming back to Madison. The schedule is brutal this season and many are seeing Wisconsin football winning six or seven games.
The offense will have a new starting quarterback when they open the season against Western Michigan. However, there will be a ton of familiar faces from last season on the offensive line and the receiving positions. With 30 days until the season opener, here are my predictions for the 2024 Wisconsin football offense.
Wisconsin Football Starting Offense: Quarterback- Tyler Van Dyke
Phil Longo mentioned yesterday in media day that there will be a quarterback competition in fall camp. It will be between redshirt senior Tyler Van Dyke and redshirt sophomore Brayden Locke.
Van Dyke started the last three seasons at Miami (FL). He has thrown for 54 touchdowns in his career. On the other hand, Locke is in his second year for Wisconsin football. He appeared in four games last year that included three starts.
I think Van Dyke comes out as the winner in this battle. I just think Luke Fickell and Van Dyke would not have done this in his last year of eligibility to not make starts. I think the Badgers would be okay with Locke, but Van Dyke is more explosive with the ball and will make throws down the field, something this offense was not good at a season ago.
Running Back: Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker
Chez Mellusi suffered a season-ending injury for the second year in a row last year. I can’t see him being a back who gets much more than 20 carries. Mellusi is in his fourth year at Wisconsin so he is a familiar face and a leader on this team.
Walker had over 500 yards on the ground for Oklahoma last season, At 5’10 and 220 pounds, Walker is a bruising back who can finish games in the fourth quarter. I am excited to see what this duo brings.
Tight End: Tucker Ashcraft
It could be Tucker Ashcraft or Riley Nowakowski as the starting tight end. I think they can play similar reps, but Ashcraft is by far a better down field and receiving option. Nowakowski is by far the better blocker and can play at the goal line.
If we learned anything from last season, this Wisconsin football offense will run the ball if they have to. If that is the case, expect more Nowakowski. I think in year two under Phil Longo this offense will be throwing the ball more.
Wide Receiver: Will Pauling, Bryson Green, and C.J. Williams
There is no doubt Pauling and Green will be the top two options as they were the two leading receivers from last season. Will Pauling has a chance to be one of the best receivers in the Big Ten and could be a 2025 NFL Draft pick. Green is a bigger wide receiver who should gain more confidence from a decent 2023 season.
The third receiving spot is up for grabs in my opinion. C.J. Williams had a ton of hype going into last season, but had a quiet year. On the other hand, a player like Vinny Anthony II had a good spring and is the best return specialist on the Wisconsin football roster. I think Williams has the better raw talent and has the ability to be the top option in this room in 2025.
Offensive Line: Jack Nelson, Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber, Riley Mahlman
I would be shocked if this was not the Wisconsin football starting five for the Western Michigan game. Nelson, Huber, and Mahlman were starters last season while Brunner was one of the top reserves. Renfro missed all but the bowl game and was suppose to be the starting center. I think he has a really good season.
I am interested to see what Nelson does this season. After being an all-conference selection the last two years prior, he really struggled last season. I am not sure if it was the new offense, but Nelson never looked comfortable in 2023. I think he will have a bounce back year as well.
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