2019 Wisconsin Badgers

[Bucky]

Another year with Wisconsin in double digit starters. Looks like Badgers will start 12 again! Gone is Alex Hornibrook( now with the Crimonoles). Coming off a disappointing '18 with a record of 8-5 Wisconsin will look to reclaim The Big Ten West.

Offense

QB Jack Coan 6'3 215 JR.
Or Graham Mertz 6'4 205 FR.

FB Mason Stokke 6'2 235 RJR.

TE Jake Ferguson RSO. 6'5 245
And Luke Benzschawel 6'6 260

LT Cole Van Lanen JR. 6'5 300

LG David Moorman SR. 6'5 300

C Tyler Biadasz JR. 6'3 320 ( top rated center in Nation)

RT Logan Bruss 6'5 305

Keep an eye on: RB Garrett Groshek 2nd string RB, FB John Chenal, WR Jack Dunn, OL Jason Erdmann, Josh Seltzner, and Tyler Beach.

Defense

DE Garrett Rand RJR. 6'2 280

MLB Jack Sanborn So. 6'2 235

OLB Noah Burks RJr. 6'3 235

FS Scott Nelson RSO. 6'2 200

Keep an eye on: NT Gunner Roberge, DE's David Pfaff and Matt Henningsen. LBs Mike Maskalunas, Leo Chenal, Griffin Grady, Seth Currens, and OLB Tyler Johnson. Safety Collin Wilder should also see the field quite a bit.

 

[Shadowlight]

Thanks Bucky. It is refreshing to see a program maintain a consistent white presence from year to year like Wisconsin. They have churned out some really special white linebackers in recent times and with two newer faces starting this season the hope is that trend continues. The white depth at LB bodes well for the future.

I think RB Groshek is a special and versatile talent and if his reps go up ( which they should) I expect some NFL interest to pick up. The hope is he is the featured RB by the time he is a senior in 2020.

Basically the only thing that separates Iowa from Wisconsin recently is Iowa has showcased more white WRs than Wisconsin which at the end of the day has me rooting for Iowa more than any other Big 10 school.

But make no mistake Wisconsin is an upper tier white friendly team to root for year after year.

 

[Bucky]

Thanks Bucky. It is refreshing to see a program maintain a consistent white presence from year to year like Wisconsin. They have churned out some really special white linebackers in recent times and with two newer faces starting this season the hope is that trend continues. The white depth at LB bodes well for the future.

I think RB Groshek is a special and versatile talent and if his reps go up ( which they should) I expect some NFL interest to pick up. The hope is he is the featured RB by the time he is a senior in 2020.

Basically the only thing that separates Iowa from Wisconsin recently is Iowa has showcased more white WRs than Wisconsin which at the end of the day has me rooting for Iowa more than any other Big 10 school.

But make no mistake Wisconsin is an upper tier white friendly team to root for year after year.

Well said as always Shadowlight. I too am excited to see Groshek in an increased role. As if my new avatar didn't give that away! The DWFs think Redshirt Senior Bradrick Shaw should be handed number 2 Job even though he hasn't been healthy since his Freshman year. He'll most likely factor into the rotation, but Groshek should still see even more carries/targets in passing game.

I'm a die-hard Wisconsin fan but I will say I'm a big fan of Iowa and Northwestern's programs when they're not playing The Badgers.

 

[Leonardfan]

Great write up Bucky! Just saw a few interesting developments mentioned over at weenieworld:

Wisconsin redshirt sophomore RB Hunter Johnson is now with the running backs.
Johnson (6'0/220) worked with the inside linebackers during spring practices, but due to a lack of numbers at running back he's back on offense. The redshirt sophomore was voted the top senior running back in Wisconsin as a high school senior. Jonathan Taylor remains the bell cow for Wisconsin in the backfield, and Bradrick Shaw is expected to be his backup after missing all of 2018 due to injury. Playing time is likely to be hard to come by for Johnson as a result, but with four freshman running backs on the roster his presence could make it easier for the staff to redshirt a newcomer or two.

Wisconsin has added Northwood University transfer LB Travis Wiltjer to the roster.
In three seasons at Northwood, Wiltjer (6'2/225) tallied totals of 152 tackles (16.5 for loss) and five forced fumbles, earning honorable mention All-GLIAC honors in both 2017 and 2018. Wiltjer will provide additional depth to a position group that lost a lot of production at the end of the 2018 season.


Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst said that he has been impressed by the summer progression of redshirt sophomore DE Matt Henningsen.
Henningsen (6'3/286) appeared in all 13 of Wisconsin's games last season, making 10 starts for the campaign. He finished up the year with 32 tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack and a pass defensed. The redshirt sophomore will look to carry over his offseason gains into August camp and the season beyond.

 

[Bucky]

Great write up Bucky! Just saw a few interesting developments mentioned over at weenieworld:

Wisconsin redshirt sophomore RB Hunter Johnson is now with the running backs.
Johnson (6'0/220) worked with the inside linebackers during spring practices, but due to a lack of numbers at running back he's back on offense. The redshirt sophomore was voted the top senior running back in Wisconsin as a high school senior. Jonathan Taylor remains the bell cow for Wisconsin in the backfield, and Bradrick Shaw is expected to be his backup after missing all of 2018 due to injury. Playing time is likely to be hard to come by for Johnson as a result, but with four freshman running backs on the roster his presence could make it easier for the staff to redshirt a newcomer or two.

Wisconsin has added Northwood University transfer LB Travis Wiltjer to the roster.
In three seasons at Northwood, Wiltjer (6'2/225) tallied totals of 152 tackles (16.5 for loss) and five forced fumbles, earning honorable mention All-GLIAC honors in both 2017 and 2018. Wiltjer will provide additional depth to a position group that lost a lot of production at the end of the 2018 season.


Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst said that he has been impressed by the summer progression of redshirt sophomore DE Matt Henningsen.
Henningsen (6'3/286) appeared in all 13 of Wisconsin's games last season, making 10 starts for the campaign. He finished up the year with 32 tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack and a pass defensed. The redshirt sophomore will look to carry over his offseason gains into August camp and the season beyond.

Thanks LF! Good to see Johnson back at RB! He hails from same town as former Badger Walk-on and current Bengals WR Alex Erickson. Amazing Darlington, Wisconsin, a town 2,300 people can continually pump out high quality athletes isn't it?! Badgers also moved Brady Schipper back to his natural position of RB during spring ball. Another talented in-state Walk-on.

Cool story about Wiltjer!! Here's a more in depth article discussing the situation.

https://madison.com/sports/college/...cle_63ad4d7b-7ed6-52dc-a616-44acfe0c022c.html

Also good to hear about Henningsen's progress! He's added weight and strength since last season gaining 15lbs. He's now up to 286, can't wait to see him in the rotation. He was the 1st Badger Walk-on since 1990 to start as a Freshman!

 

[Leonardfan]

Sounds like Wiljter is a beast. Hopefully he gets a lot of playing time and parlays the opportunity into getting drafted.

 

[Bucky]

True Freshman Leo Chenal is already a tank at 6'2 250. Should be a staple on special teams and has been making noise as a backup MLB.

 

[Bucky]

Update***

Wisconsin will be going with a snow plow OL!

LT Cole Van Lanen

LG Jason Erdman

C Tyler Biadasz*Highly ranked Center, former walk-on

RG Josh Seltzner *Former Walk-on

RT Logan Bruss

Also John Chenal
(6'2 252, former walk-on) will be starting FB and Jack Eachenbach, another former walk-on has locked down Number2 TE spot.

On defense Burks lost his position battle to an afflete. Only 1 starting LB but all 4 backup positions make up a Snow Patrol.

 

[Bucky]

*Noah Burks ended up starting at OLB. With an even better SR season can out himself on draft radar. He had an athletic Pick 6 last season.


**Also looks as if WR Cade Green is retiring from football due to nagging injuries.. Sad, had high hopes for him out of Texas.