Day 1:
Luke Fickell said he began checking the weather report 10 days ago in anticipation of his first spring football practice as Wisconsin’s coach. The prediction: 51 degrees and sunny. A perfect Saturday in March to kick off a new era on the Camp Randall Stadium field.
“And then it went to 49, and then it went down to 48,” Fickell said. “And then all of a sudden this little snowflake popped up there about a day or two ago.”
When day one of spring ball finally arrived, Wisconsin was greeted by a blizzard that brought up to nine inches of snow in the area and forced the Badgers into the McClain Center. But not even that result could dampen the enthusiasm for one of the most highly anticipated spring sessions at Wisconsin in recent memory.
Here are nine takeaways from an open practice filled with notable nuggets:
Tempo is high
The most jarring development for those used to watching Wisconsin was the high-octane tempo with which the Badgers played. Fickell said time between snaps and drills was intentionally fast because the entire practice — which came in at just under 2 hours and 15 minutes — was meant to serve as conditioning for players. Fickell noted that length of time would be typical for his practices, provided that the intensity and execution level were there.
“The coach isn’t laid back,” Fickell said. “It’s not going to be anything within the program that is going to be very laid back and kind of chill. It’s just the nature of what we want to continue to create from the way we train, the way we practice and then the way we play.”
Left guard Tanor Bortolini said earlier in the week that the biggest adjustment for the offensive linemen would be going from nearly running the entire play clock down last season to being ready to snap the ball with 20 seconds remaining. Mentally and physically preparing for the tempo offensive coordinator Phil Longo wants to play at will be a work in progress. Fickell said he was particularly impressed with how the wide receivers and defensive backs played with effort and speed.
Offensive line groupings
Wisconsin’s first-team offensive line consisted of Jack Nelson at left tackle, Bortolini at left guard, Jake Renfro at center, Michael Furtney at right guard and Riley Mahlman at right tackle. That’s essentially what the Badgers used last season, with Renfro — a Cincinnati transfer — taking the place of Joe Tippmann, who declared for the NFL Draft. Renfro’s addition allowed Bortolini to move to guard. Furtney, a sixth-year senior, started nine games at right guard last season.
Wisconsin’s second-team offensive line featured Nolan Rucci at left tackle, Joe Brunner at left guard, Dylan Barrett at center, Cincinnati transfer Joe Huber at right guard and Trey Wedig at right tackle. Wedig started eight games last season, including five at right tackle due to player injuries. Huber was a 13-game starter at right tackle for Cincinnati.
The third-team offensive line was Max Rader at left tackle, Kerry Kodanko at left guard, Drew Evans at center, JP Benzschawel at right guard and Barrett Nelson at right tackle. John Clifford also earned snaps for Rader at left tackle.
Big plays from quarterbacks
SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai earned all the first-team offensive reps, while Mississippi State transfer Braedyn Locke generally handled the second-team reps. Oklahoma transfer Nick Evers was the third quarterback. It’s still extremely early, and there is plenty of room for movement behind Mordecai. Myles Burkett was fourth, with walk-on Marshall Howe fifth.
“I think for the most part, I was happy with those guys and just how they handled themselves more so demeanor-wise because we all know everybody looks to them,” Fickell said. “You’re going to feed off of that guy whether you’re an offensive lineman or not. I know there’s not a huddle, but there’s a sugar huddle and if you can’t look in that guys’ eyes and see some confidence, I think it becomes difficult to a lot of people. So I thought they did a great job of that.”
Evers possesses a lightning-quick release and delivered the play of the day when he threw a tight spiral to wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr., who hauled in about a 40-yard reception on the left sideline during skeleton drills. There weren’t many downfield passes during 11-on-11 team reps as everyone continues to learn the offense, but there were some outstanding throws and catches during 1-on-1 reps that matched up wide receivers on defensive backs.
Mordecai put a perfect pass on receiver Vinny Anthony in the end zone for a 40-yard score, while Locke threw a pair of 40-yard touchdowns, first to Cincinnati transfer Quincy Burroughs and then to Cincinnati transfer Will Pauling, who adjusted in the air and dove to catch the pass in the right corner of the end zone. Leading returning wide receiver Chimere Dike praised Pauling this week for his offseason work and speed.
Wide receiver competition intense
Wisconsin’s top wide receiver group looked familiar with Dike and Keontez Lewis outside and Skyler Bell in the slot. But the sheer volume of rotations and different combinations means the competition for playing time will be fascinating to watch develop, as wide receivers coach Mike Brown wants a top six to use in games.
USC transfer CJ Williams and Brooks earned snaps on the outside with Pauling in the slot in the second group. Burroughs and Tommy McIntosh lined up on the outside with Pauling again in the slot. Tight end Jack Eschenbach was utilized as a route runner with the first-team offense, while Jack Pugh ran routes with the second-team unit. Wide receiver Markus Allen earned plenty of reps with the reserves, and tight end Riley Nowakowski — a converted fullback — also lined up as a pass catcher. Oklahoma State transfer Bryson Green, who figures to challenge for a spot at the top, did not practice while battling an injury.
Brooks really stood out with his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame. He gained 10 pounds during the offseason, and his physicality, route running and athleticism were evident. In addition to his highlight-reel grab from Evers, Brooks caught a couple of passes from Mordecai. Brooks earned high praise from teammates for his performance in December during bowl prep.
New ways to utilize running backs
Running back Chez Mellusi hinted earlier this week at the fact that he and Braelon Allen could be utilized on the field at the same time, and that’s something that briefly materialized Saturday. There also were two-tailback sets featuring Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli, both of whom are legitimate contenders to be the third running back. Julius Davis, a fifth-year senior, worked in behind them.
Yacamelli made an athletic catch in the left flat on a pass from Locke. He also showed some nice burst on a run up the middle. Acker, a fullback last season, is someone Fickell values in this offense.
“Jackson’s a really good football player,” Fickell said. “We’ll find ways to use him. It might be some tailback. It might be some H-back. It might be some fullback. As of right now, we’re just having him try to learn multiple things. But we will find a way to play with him on the football field. What he did last year in evaluating his film was really impressive. So right now it might just be a little bit more of tailback. But he’ll be a guy that we’ll use in many different ways.”
First-team defense revealed
Wisconsin’s defense operated in a 2-4-5 scheme for most of the day as players learn defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s system. Isaiah Mullens and Rodas Johnson were the first-team defensive linemen, though James Thompson Jr. also earned worked with Johnson. C.J. Goetz and Darryl Peterson were the outside linebackers with Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner the inside linebackers.
In the secondary, cornerbacks Alexander Smith and Ricardo Hallman lined up outside with Boston College transfer Jason Maitre as the slot corner. Hunter Wohler and Travian Blaylock were the top safeties. However, Blaylock is wearing a yellow non-contact jersey as he continues to regain his form following a torn ACL injury last spring, so Kamo’i Latu played with Wohler during potential contact situations.
More defenders battling for two-deep spots
Wisconsin’s second-team defense consisted of Thompson and Gio Paez on the defensive line. Michigan State transfer Jeff Pietrowski and Kaden Johnson were the outside linebackers, with Tatum Grass and Jake Chaney at inside linebacker. Avyonne Jones and Jace Arnold played on the outside at corner with Amaun Williams in the slot. Latu and Austin Brown were at safety.
Other combinations included Ben Barten and Cade McDonald on the defensive line and Pietrowski paired with freshman early enrollee Jordan Mayer at outside linebacker. Freshman early enrollee Braedyn Moore, a four-star prospect, earned some snaps as the slot corner with the reserves. Jonas Duclona and A’Khoury Lyde lined up as corners on the outside. Lyde, Blaylock and outside linebacker Marty Strey all wore yellow non-contact jerseys during practice. Lyde suffered a torn ACL as a high school senior.
Special teams work
Wisconsin is looking for a new starting punter with three-year starter Andy Vujnovich moving on. Jack Van Dyke regularly handled the first-team punting role Saturday, with Gavin Meyers the second punter. Van Dyke played in five games last season as Wisconsin’s kickoff specialist.
Dike was the primary punt returner during drills, though Pauling and CJ Williams also earned an occasional return. Wisconsin’s field goal kickers did not attempt kicks until after practice completed, with Fickell keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.
Ohio transfer Nathanial Vakos joined Vito Calvaruso, Nate Van Zelst and Gavin Lahm in taking field goal kicks. Van Zelst made 11 of 14 kicks last season, but Vakos arrived on scholarship with plans to earn the starting job. Fickell will play a big role with special teams this season and said he would work with the punt and kickoff teams.
Injury updates
A number of players did not participate in practice because of injury: tight ends Clay Cundiff, Cole Dakovich and Cam Large, receiver Bryson Green, offensive lineman Sean Timmis, outside linebackers Ross Gengler and Aaron Witt, inside linebackers Luna Larson and Aidan Vaughan, defensive linemen Mike Jarvis and Darian Varner, cornerback Max Lofy and quarterback Cole LaCrue. Varner, a Temple transfer who missed his team’s final two games last season because of a left foot injury, had a boot around the foot at practice. LaCrue’s left arm was in a sling.
