Fall camp for Wisconsin football begins tomorrow in preparation for the 2024 season. The Badgers will spend some time at UW-Platteville before returning to Madison. This season will feature a tough schedule with games against Alabama, Penn State, Oregon and USC. The Wisconsin football roster features a good mix of players from last season and up-to-date faces to the program. As camp begins, here are my three headlines as the season begins.
Is there competition among quarterbacks on the Wisconsin football team?
Wisconsin football signed Tyler Van Dyke from Miami (FL) for his final season of college eligibility. The Badgers also return sophomore Brayden Locke, who had three starts last season. Overall, there is some good starting experience on this roster at the quarterback position.
Is this a competition though? It certainly looks like it. Members media that participated in the media day for the Wisconsin football team, Phil Longo mentioned, he believes it will be a battle for survival in training camp.
Me? I don’t see it as a huge fight. I don’t think Van Dyke would have come to Madison if he wasn’t 100% sure he was the guy. I also don’t think Luke Fickell and Longo would have invested time in Van Dyke if they didn’t think he was the guy in 2024. I’d be shocked if Locke started on August 30th.
Crowded linebacker room
NCAA Guaranteed Bowl Rate
This Wisconsin football roster should be deeper and much more talented this season. The linebacker position in particular should be much different. Players like Darryl Peterson and Jake Chaney were productive last year and will play huge roles this season.
However, Wisconsin Football has acquired players like Jaheim Thomas, John Pius, Leon Lowry, Sebastian Cheeks and Tackett Curtis through the transfer portal. I am not sure if there will be any set starters, but there are at least 8-9 linebackers on this roster that could see significant playing time. It is clear that Fickell is emphasizing the pass rush, this group should aid the defensive line do that.
Experienced attack returns
With a likely up-to-date quarterback under center this season, a slew of offensive players are returning. UW’s starting five offensive linemen were in the program last year, likely. All have plenty of experience, except for Joe Brunner, who is in his third year with the program.
Wisconsin football also returns two of its best wide receivers from last year, Will Pauling and Bryson Green. Players like Vinny Anthony II and C.J. Williams, who I believe are fighting for the third wide receiver spot, also had robust performances last season and should make a leap in their sophomore year.
The Badgers lost Braelon Allen, but Chez Mellusi returns for a sixth year. He should share the runs with Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker. This offense should be ready to go on the offensive line on August 30th.
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