After 10 straight seasons with Kevin Cosgrove calling the shots on defense, the Badgers will have a new coach roaming the sidelines this year. While he did a great job during his tenure at Wisconsin, Cosgrove left room for improvement for incoming defensive coordinator Bret Bielema, who spent the last two seasons as Kansas State's co-defensive coordinator.
The Badger defense provided middle-of-the-road numbers last season, giving up more than 350 yards per game, just sixth in the Big Ten. Bielema will get his strongest help from his front four.
\I think one of the things that excited me when I first came here to Wisconsin is the tradition they have on the defensive line,"" Bielema said.
The defensive line is loaded with veteran talent with seniors Anttaj Hawthorne and Jason Jefferson plugging up the middle and senior Erasmus James and junior Jonathan Welsh on the ends.
Hawthorne has gained preseason attention around the country. His name has been on the Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists, and he is a legitimate All-American candidate. He tallied 20 tackles-for-loss last season, tied for second in the Big Ten and will look to land his name on the first-team All-Big Ten list at the season's end.
Sometimes overshadowed by Hawthorne, Jefferson demands just as much attention from offensive linemen at the other defensive tackle position. Jefferson has started 24 times in his Badger career and notched 30 tackles last season.
""Everybody wants to talk about Anttaj,"" Bielema said. ""But playing right next to him, J.J. is a really good football player who has great fundamentals and great speed with ability to have a lot of strength behind the people he hits.""
Freshman Justin Ostrowski and senior Kalvin Barrett have proven to be capable reserves at tackle and will help out when needed.
While Hawthorne and Jefferson are busy stuffing the run up the middle, James and Welsh will contain the outside at the defensive end positions.
Welsh led the squad with eight sacks last season at right defensive end, and with 13 starts now under his belt, he returns this year looking to cause more problems in the backfield.
A big question heading into the season will be James' return to the field after being sidelined last season. But James will be the first to tell you he is back and better than ever. Before the injury, James ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, but says he believes he can run it in 4.5 seconds now.
""I think I'm faster. I've been working out in every aspect trying to make myself better,"" James said.
The injury to James last season gave Darius Jones a chance to step in; however, a knee injury in the final regular season game has ended his career with Wisconsin. The Badgers do have sophomore Joe Monty, who saw time last year and will likely see a few snaps at each end.
The biggest question on defense is who will fill in at the linebacker positions with the departures of Alex Lewis and Jeff Mack.
Junior LaMarr Watkins will start as the weak side linebacker with sophomore Mark Zalewski getting the nod on the strong side.
The Badgers have depth at middle linebacker. Junior Elliot Goode could be back from injury as soon as three games into the season with sophomore Reggie Cribbs and freshman Brandon Kelly pulling all of the weight at the beginning of the season.
""There's not a guy who is returning there that you can say, 'He's played in these games before,' and all that, but everybody has got to start somewhere,"" Bielema said.
The secondary, much like the line, boasts experience. Scott Starks returns at cornerback for his final season. Junior Lavonne Rowan looks to start opposite of Starks with senior Chuckie Cowans and junior Brett Bell in as relief.
Rounding out the secondary, All-American hopeful Jim Leonhard is back at free safety while senior Robert Brooks, who split time last year with Ryan Aiello, will start this season at strong safety.
Lots of experience both in front and in the secondary should help to offset the lack thereof at linebacker. The strong defensive line should be able to stop the run and provide pressure on the quarterback that was missing at times last season and will be determined to keep the Badgers in Big Ten contention.
