Fall camp began today for Wisconsin football, and the countdown to the 2024 season is drawing ever closer. The Badgers held their first practice at UW-Platteville. They will be there for a few weeks before returning to Madison. The schedule is brutal this season, and many believe Wisconsin football will win six or seven games.
The offense will have a up-to-date quarterback when it opens the season against Western Michigan. However, there will be plenty of familiar faces from last season on the offensive line and at the receiver positions. With 30 days to go before the season begins, here are my predictions for the 2024 Wisconsin football offense.
Wisconsin Football Starting Offense: Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke
Phil Longo mentioned yesterday on media day that there will be a quarterback competition in fall camp, pitting redshirt senior Tyler Van Dyke against redshirt sophomore Brayden Locke.
Van Dyke started the last three seasons at Miami (FL). He has thrown 54 touchdowns in his career. Locke, on the other hand, is in his second year at Wisconsin football. He appeared in four games last year, including three as a starter.
I think Van Dyke comes out on top in that battle. I just think Luke Fickell and Van Dyke wouldn’t make it in their final year of eligibility to not start. I think the Badgers would be fine with Locke, but Van Dyke is more explosive with the ball and will throw downfield, which is something this offense wasn’t good at last season.
Running backs: Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker
Chez Mellusi suffered a season-ending injury for the second time in a row last year. I don’t see him having more than 20 carries. Mellusi is in his fourth year at Wisconsin, so he’s a familiar face and 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 sturdy receiver who can finish games in the fourth quarter. I’m excited to see what this duo brings.
Winger: Tucker Ashcraft
It could be Tucker Ashcraft or Riley Nowakowski as the starting tight end. I think they can play similarly, but Ashcraft is definitely a better option downfield and receiver. Nowakowski is definitely a better blocker and can play on the goal line.
If we learned anything from last season, it’s that Wisconsin football’s offense will run the ball if it has to. If that’s the case, expect to see more of Nowakowski. I think this offense will throw the ball more in Year 2 under Phil Longo.
Wide Receiver: Will Pauling, Bryson Green and CJ Williams
There is no doubt that Pauling and Green will be the top two options, as they were the top two receivers last season. Will Pauling has a chance to become one of the top receivers in the Big Ten and could be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Green is a bigger wide receiver who should gain more confidence after a decent 2023 season.
The third spot on offense is up for grabs in my opinion. C.J. Williams had a ton of hype heading into last season but had a serene 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 the ability to be the best option in that room in 2025.
Offensive Line: Jack Nelson, Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber, Riley Mahlman
I would be shocked if this wasn’t the starting five for the Wisconsin-Western Michigan football game. Nelson, Huber and Mahlman were all starters last season, and Brunner was one of the top reserves. Renfro missed everything but the playoffs and was supposed to be the starting center. I think he’s having a really good season.
I’m curious to see what Nelson does this season. After being named All-Conference the past two years, he really struggled last season. I’m not sure if it was the up-to-date offense, but Nelson never looked comfortable in 2023. I think he’ll have a bounce-back year as well.
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