CHICAGO—As the college football season fast approaches, the Wisconsin Badgers have seemingly filled all the holes left by last year's seniors and other upperclassmen leaving the team for the NFL draft. However, one spot still remains unfilled.
That spot, of course, was vacated by defensive end J.J. Watt.
It's not every day that a player of Watt's caliber, at any position, comes along. And replacing that player is often not possible.
With the departure of Watt the Badgers not only lost one of their veteran leaders in the locker room, but arguably the team's most valuable player in terms of production and numbers. What Watt accomplished during his time with Wisconsin will not be easily replicated by one player alone, it will take the combined effort of the entire defensive line.
According to senior defensive lineman Patrick Butrym, Wisconsin's defense is ready and able to step up in Watt's absence.
""I don't feel pressured,"" Butrym said. ""I just know that I need to produce.""
Butrym is confident that the team will be able to replace Watt if everyone takes part of the load that the former defensive end carried last season.
""As a whole we need to pick up our production,"" Butrym said. ""We just need to do the things that we can do but kick it up a notch and make plays.""
The Wisconsin defensive line has the experience and talent to fill the hole left by Watt. The Badgers are returning all of their starters from the 2010 season, minus Watt, and many others who made significant contributions to the success of the team.
Butrym went further to comment on the growth of the younger players, specifically naming sophomores Beau Allen, Jordan Kohout, and Ethen Hemer. All three were freshmen last season and saw significant playing time.
""With just a year of experience they're playing more physical,"" Butrym said. ""They're doing things that they didn't do last year.""
With the added support of these young players, and the understanding that they could easily fill the role of a starter it may be safe to say that the Wisconsin defensive line has all the tools they need to remain just as potent as they were last season even without their star J.J. Watt.
""It's nice to have the younger players around,"" Butrym added. ""It definitely makes me more competitive.""
