For the first time this year, Camp Randall Stadium opened its doors to the public on Saturday, providing a glimpse into what football could look like for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2025.
Aligning with its string of spring practices, the Spring Showcase displayed what Wisconsin has planned for the third season under Head Coach Luke Fickell.
Plenty of changes have been made since the end of the 2024 season. Wisconsin hired Jeff Grimes to be its new offensive coordinator following the firing of Phil Longo. The quarterback portal additions of Billy Edwards Jr. from Maryland and Danny O’Neil from San Diego State only add onto the excitement of what the offensive attack can do.
That excitement echoed through the 12 transfer portal additions the Badgers added to their defensive unit. Among those were defensive lineman Charles Perkins and Parker Petersen, giving Defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel a boost in the trenches.
The Badgers played two 20-minute halves, with points up for grabs for touchdowns, turnovers and field goals. The offense donned the red-and-white uniform combination, with Tressel's unit wearing all white on the field.
Edwards Jr. led the first-team offense at quarterback, with redshirt freshman Dilin Jones getting the primary backfield assignment. Vinny Anthony II, Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard and Tyrell Henry were among those on wide receiver duty. The two-hour practice commenced with the ball on the 25-yard line.
The first drive of the practice showcased a well-rounded mix of run and pass calls from Grimes. Jones fought his way for a 13-yard run on the first play of the drive. Later on, Edwards found Anthony near the sideline on a third-down completion to keep the drive alive.
Edwards and company continued to pressure the Wisconsin defense, marching to the 6-yard line. Despite the duress, the defense stood strong with two run stops, a sack on third down and a forced incompletion on fourth down to end the nearly nine-minute drive.
Following the first-team offense, O’Neil came onto the field to lead the second-team. Notable players such as freshman Eugene Hilton Jr., Cade Yacamelli and Jackson Acker joined O’Neil.
Countering the first-team offense's methodical drive down the field, the second-team offense intended to get yardage fast. After a handful of plays to start the drive, O’Neil unleashed a 42-yard pass through the air, finding Joseph Griffin Jr. for the completion.
With the offense at the doorstep of the end zone, Acker drove himself across the goal line for the first touchdown of the day. Clocking in at a little over three minutes of game time, the second-team offense started strong.
With the offense at the doorstep of the end zone, Acker drove himself across the goal line for the first touchdown of the day. Clocking in at a little over three minutes of game time, the second-team offense started strong.
Edwards and the first-team offense returned to the field, but had little to add from their first appearance. A slip from Edwards on a play-action call derailed the drive from moving forward, giving the reins back to O’Neil.
The second-team offense once again marched down the field with O’Neil, finding Hilton for a big gain as the clock wound down on the first half. After getting stopped from the end zone on three straight plays, offensive pass-interference was called on fourth down, ending the first half of practice.
Although both offenses scored one touchdown, O’Neil and his men looked more comfortable and composed in their drives compared to the first-team offense.
Opening the second half, true freshman quarterback Carter Smith came onto the field. He showcased his legs often in the drive, avoiding pressure by moving to his side and finding yardage.
Smith led the Badgers to field-goal range, only to get sacked on third down. Senior Nathanial Vakos nailed the 36-yard field goal.
Leading the first-team offense once again, Edwards’ backfield saw plenty of movement on their first drive of the second half. Jones and Yacamelli both split reps behind the projected starter. Edwards continued looking for his receivers down the field, but the coverage from Wisconsin’s secondary tightened up after the first half.
Lacking success from the air, Wisconsin shifted to the run game. That same drive, Yacamelli exploded for a 55-yard touchdown to the joy of the Badger faithful in attendance. Slipping past defenders in the box, Yacamelli went untouched once he found his second gear for the score.
Milos Spasojevic was the fourth quarterback to see action in the practice, only serving one drive. The remainder of the second half saw a quality defensive effort, not giving up any points to the offense after the Yacamelli score.
As the clock winded down to triple zeros, players from both sides of the ball came to the middle of the field and embraced each other. Fans gained the opportunity to join players on the field and take pictures with the Badgers.
After fighting for every yard during a 40-minute battle, the Badgers closed their Spring Showcase with a performance to be proud of. There’s still a way to go until their first game against Miami University, but the signs are there that 2025 can be a step in the right direction for Wisconsin.
