As the college football season gets closer, there are still unanswered questions on every roster around the country. While coaches are often careful with how much information they release, watching practice can clarify the potential depth charts for the season. Here’s how Wisconsin’s defense is shaping up.
The Badgers had one of the most surprising defenses in 2014, ranking near the top in the country in most categories, but many are worried about the unit potentially taking a step back this year due to losing a significant amount of talent on the front seven. UW lost seniors Michael and Marcus Trotter, Warren Herring and Derek Landisch, all of whom saw significant playing time last season.
Despite losing such talent, this year’s defensive line isn’t only new faces. Redshirt junior Arthur Goldberg has shifted from starting at nose tackle last season to defensive end this year, and will be paired with redshirt sophomore Chikwe Obasih, who saw some starting time last year as well. At the nose tackle slot, sophomore Conor Sheehy will see most of the reps, but true freshman Jeremy Patterson has been getting first-team reps as well, and will likely end up seeing the field this season.
Obasih believes that while it’s a young group, their chemistry makes them a force to be reckoned with.
“I feel like we’re the closest on the team. I mean, everyone else can say whatever they want, but I feel like we’re the closest top down … I’m excited about the unit we’ll have for a while,” Obasih said.
When it comes to the other four members of the front seven, it is two very different groups. Both of the starting outside linebackers, redshirt junior Vince Biegel and senior Joe Schobert, are returning, but neither of the starting inside linebackers are back. Junior Leon Jacobs saw time at the position last year and, while he didn’t start last season, is essentially a lock to start this year. The other inside linebacker position will likely be filled by redshirt freshman T.J. Edwards, but Kellen Jones, a fifth-year transfer from Clemson, and true freshman Chris Orr have both looked great in camp so far and could rotate into that position as well.
Jones and Orr have extremely different backgrounds in football before arriving in Madison, but defensive coordinator Dave Aranda feels that is to the team’s benefit.
“Kellen’s leadership that he brings, in terms of having played in big games, been in big time situations before, that’s a big asset to us. He’s helping out Chris in a mentoring way, and it’s a good relationship those two have, but they’re battling no doubt about it,” Aranda said.
The defensive backfield has the fewest question marks of any unit on defense, but there are even some changes there. Two starting safeties return from last year, senior Michael Caputo and sophomore Lubern Figaro, but Caputo and redshirt junior Leo Musso have seen the majority of first team reps this camp, meaning Musso may have leapfrogged Figaro for the starting job.
Besides just those three, former quarterback senior Tanner McEvoy will no longer play under center, and has split time in camp between both safety and wide receiver, and likely will throughout the season as well. No matter which players are in at safety, it will benefit the Badgers to have more than just two guys who are ready to jump in.
At the cornerback position, redshirt senior Darius Hillary and junior Sojourn Shelton both return. Hillary has looked outstanding so far, but after a brilliant freshman season, Shelton has underwhelmed the past season and into camp thus far. Behind those two are sophomores Natrell Jamerson and Derrick Tindal. Having four reliable cornerback options is key in the mind of defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.
“We have packages where there’s anything from four to seven DBs back there … Darrius can play the corner and the nickel, Tindal can play the corner and the nickel, you’ve got those two guys,” Jones said. “Moving Natrell Jamerson gives us an opportunity to move Hillary, so we have some position flexibility as long as the depth continues to progress.”
The Badgers ranked highly in numerous statistical categories on defense last year, but one area where they can improve upon is creating more turnovers. Aranda said it’s something the coaches have focused on more in practice, and it has shown. Defensive backs and linebackers alike have been tipping and catching Joel Stave’s passes, and that’s not a knock on Stave, who has improved from last season to this camp, that’s a compliment to the ball skills of the defense. The defensive line has looked fantastic against a young offensive line in camp, but it will certainly be a different challenge to face a squad like Alabama in Week 1.
The Badgers haven’t released an official depth chart yet, and the coaches have mostly played their cards close to the chest in regards to who will or won’t start or redshirt. No one will know for sure until UW takes the field against No. 3 Alabama in Dallas Sept. 5.
