Badgers’ post-spring practice offensive depth chart

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With spring practice complete, Wisconsin has moved one step closer toward determining its depth chart for the fall. The Badgers return 20 of their top 22 offensive players, and expectations are as high as they have been for the offense in years.
Wisconsin brings back its starting quarterback, running back, offensive line and top four wide receivers, among others. Here’s a look at how the Badgers offense projects for 2018 in our post-spring practice depth chart:

Quarterback
Starter: Alex Hornibrook
Backup: Jack Coan
Overview: Alex Hornibrook was the unquestioned starter before spring practice began and nothing was going to change that distinction over 15 practices. Hornibrook put together a strong sophomore campaign in which he threw for 2,607 yards and 25 touchdowns. Hornibrook’s 15 interceptions were a source of frustration for Wisconsin fans, as only four FBS quarterbacks threw more last season. But he has tried to focus on taking complete ownership of the offense and fixing small things within a play rather than worrying about statistics.
Jack Coan leaves spring as the backup, which is the same way he entered it. In an ideal world, Coan would be able to take a redshirt season before Hornibrook leaves so he can have two years of eligibility remaining when the quarterback job is open again in 2020. Freshman Chase Wolf will arrive this summer to provide more competition in the quarterback room.

Running back
Starter: Jonathan Taylor
Backups: Bradrick Shaw, Chris James, Taiwan Deal, Sam Brodner, Nakia Watson
Overview: One of the most interesting developments during the spring was how much time Badgers coach Paul Chryst spent working individually with Jonathan Taylor on running routes. If Taylor can diversify his game and become more of an every-down tailback, he’ll be scary good as a sophomore. Taylor set the single-season freshman FBS rushing record with 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and was a Doak Walker Award finalist. He averaged 21.3 carries per game, which isn’t likely to decrease this season.
The real intrigue comes from figuring out which backups will take the rest of the carries. Bradrick Shaw did not participate in spring practice while recovering from a left leg injury. Shaw dealt with injuries last season and did not have the same burst as he did in 2016. His yards-per-carry average decreased from 5.2 to 3.8. Will he return to his freshman form and be the No. 2 tailback? Chris James provides versatility and has the potential to be a key weapon in the passing game on third down. If Taiwan Deal is healthy, his downhill style can wear out defenses. Sam Brodner tore his ACL last spring but has shown nice progress. One other name to track is incoming freshman Nakia Watson, whom Chryst spoke highly of after he signed in December. Badgers running backs coach John Settle said he believed Watson had the body type to endure a Big Ten season and compete immediately.

Fullback
Starter: Alec Ingold
Backup: Jake Collinsworth
Overview: For a program that utilizes the fullback as much as Wisconsin does, it’s surprising the Badgers had only two players listed at the position during spring practice. But at least Wisconsin is in great hands with Alec Ingold, who returns for his senior season. Ingold takes over as the primary fullback now that Austin Ramesh has moved on. Last season, Ingold carried 10 times for 25 yards with 3 touchdowns, but he could be a vital part of the offense this season. Ingold has 11 rushing touchdowns in his career despite carrying the ball only 77 times. He’s a great third-and-short option and is versatile enough to be a weapon in the passing game.
Jake Collinsworth moved from inside linebacker to fullback. Jake Whalen no longer is with the team due to injuries. I’ll throw a wildcard into the mix for a potential fullback down the road: incoming freshman walk-on John Chenal, who is the older brother of 2019 Badgers linebacker commit Leo Chenal. John Chenal is listed as an inside linebacker after finishing his career at Grantsburg (Wis.) High School with 494 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 17 interceptions. But he was a spectacular running back who tallied 2,287 yards with 35 touchdowns his senior season. He told me when he picked Wisconsin that coaches had discussed the possibility of him playing fullback to see the field early in his career. If the Badgers need another fullback, Chenal presents a solid option.

Wide receiver
Starters: Quintez Cephus and Danny Davis
Backups: A.J. Taylor and Kendric Pryor
Overview: Wisconsin’s top four receivers were special last season, and that means expectations are even higher this time around. Quintez Cephus, Danny Davis, A.J. Taylor and Kendric Pryor combined to record 100 catches for 1,573 yards and 17 touchdowns. Of that foursome, Taylor was the only one to practice all spring and showed he can be an even bigger focal point this season. Taylor caught 31 passes for 475 yards with 5 touchdowns last season. If Cephus continues on an upward trajectory, he could be one of the best receivers in the Big Ten. Davis, meanwhile, provides the Badgers with a big-play threat.
Both of Wisconsin’s early enrollee wide receivers — Aron Cruickshank and Taj Mustapha — were impressive during spring practice. Cruickshank weighs only 152 pounds, but his speed makes him a viable option at receiver or as a kick return man. Badgers coach Paul Chryst said Cruickshank has earned the right to be considered for playing time in fall camp. That’s how consistently good Cruickshank was in the spring. Mustapha has a big body and can make tough catches in traffic. Jack Dunn, a 5-foot-7 sophomore, also had his moments during spring practice, including one day in which he caught 4 touchdown passes.

Tight end
Starter: Zander Neuville
Backups: Kyle Penniston, Jake Ferguson, Luke Benzschawel
Overview: There’s no question the standout among the tight end group this spring was Jake Ferguson, who seemed to catch every pass thrown in his direction. Ferguson earned offensive scout team MVP honors last season, so his progression isn’t a huge surprise. But it is encouraging considering the Badgers need to replace the production of Troy Fumagalli, who led the team with 46 catches for 547 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ferguson continues to improve as a blocker, and it will be interesting to see how the coaches use him given that there are two veteran tight ends returning. Given how well he performed in the spring, he could challenge for a starting spot.
Zander Neuville did not participate in spring practice because of a right leg injury. I’ll leave him as a starter for now, although we’ll have to see how well he progresses from injury. He caught 9 passes for 81 yards with 2 touchdowns last season. Kyle Penniston caught 7 passes for 56 yards with 1 touchdown. Penniston has played in 26 career games but has an opportunity to make a big leap in his junior season. Wisconsin uses multiple tight ends often, so there isn’t necessarily just one starter here.

Left tackle
Starter: Cole Van Lanen
Backups: Patrick Kasl and Tyler Beach
Overview: Michael Deiter (right leg) and Jon Dietzen (right and left leg) didn’t practice this spring while recovering from injuries, so we don’t know what Wisconsin’s offensive line will look like this season. But I’m going to assume that Deiter moves from left tackle to left guard because that was part of his rationale for bypassing the NFL and returning for his senior season. If Deiter moves, then Cole Van Lanen appears to be the No. 1 left tackle. Van Lanen earned a ton of first-team reps this spring and was impressive. He played in 14 games last season, so he does have some experience.
Wisconsin should have no shortage of backup options. Patrick Kasl spent time working at right tackle but could play either of the tackle spots. Tyler Beach worked at left tackle with the second-team offense. Badgers offensive line coach Joe Rudolph said Dietzen would be among several linemen to cross-train at multiple spots and indicated he could play guard or tackle. It remains to be seen where Dietzen winds up, but Van Lanen has stated his case for a starting job.

Left guard
Starter: Michael Deiter
Backup: Jon Dietzen or Jason Erdmann
Overview: Michael Deiter played left tackle last season out of necessity, but it’s clear his best position is on the interior. Although he didn’t participate in spring practice, he has plenty of experience at left guard with 11 career starts there. Assuming Deiter moves to left guard, it will be an intriguing battle for backup reps.
Jon Dietzen has played in 23 career games with 20 starts at left guard. Is he really going to get pushed out of a starting spot? Jason Erdmann spent spring practice working at left guard with the first-team offense because Deiter and Dietzen didn’t play. Erdmann has appeared in 28 games and said he believed he would be able to push for playing time. Wisconsin is stacked at left tackle, but the Badgers have more depth and talent on the offensive line overall than we’ve seen in quite some time.

Center
Starter: Tyler Biadasz
Backup: Kayden Lyles or Brett Connors
Overview: Tyler Biadasz put together a sensational season in 2017 that earned him freshman All-America honors. His spot appears to be solidified entering 2018, and he worked extensively with the first-team offense in the spring.
I’m moving redshirt freshman Kayden Lyles into the backup center spot after his performance in the spring. Lyles is an impressive specimen at 6-3 and 323 pounds. He’s also versatile enough to play center or guard. He took turns during spring practice at left guard, center and right guard. Given the depth at left guard and right guard, it makes sense for Lyles to plug in as a backup center. Coaches are high on him, so don’t be surprised if he sees the field in some capacity this season.

Right guard
Starter: Beau Benzschawel
Backup: Micah Kapoi
Overview: Beau Benzschawel is coming off an excellent junior season in which he earned All-America honors. He and David Edwards will form a dominant right side of Wisconsin’s offensive line, and both could have left school after last season for the NFL. Benzschawel has started 36 consecutive games, including the last 30 at right guard.
Micah Kapoi provides a solid backup option and more experience than most reserves on an offensive line. Kapoi has played in 34 games with 14 starts — 10 at left guard and four at right guard. Last season, Kapoi filled in at right guard for Benzschawel when he sustained a right leg injury against Florida Atlantic.

Right tackle
Starter: David Edwards
Backup: David Moorman, Patrick Kasl or Brett Connors
Overview: David Edwards earned All-America honors last season, along with Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel. It represented the first time Wisconsin has had three All-Americans on the offensive line since 1921. The fact that all three are returning is amazing. Edwards has played in 26 games with 19 starts at right tackle. He is a huge anchor and will protect quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s blindside.
Patrick Kasl could play left tackle or right tackle but did spend spring practice at right tackle. David Moorman worked with the second-team offense at right tackle. And Brett Connors, who has played in 30 games with four starts at center, also worked in at right tackle. Wisconsin’s offensive line in general is an embarrassment of riches, and competition for backup spots will be intense when fall camp begins.
 
UW offense could be scary good this season. If they can plug some holes on defense it looks to be a fun year in Madison.
 
Not one word about Garret Groshek. I know he's not a scholarship player, but he had a pretty darned good season last year for a walk on who wasn't even given a chance to carry the ball until it meant something. He showed he could do a decent job. The right thing to do is start with Watson being a red-shirt, and realizing that Shaw and Deal might never return to form, as well as questions on James.

Groshek is also the wildcat QB, and can block better than any other RB on the team.

I'm not a Groshek fan, but if the Badgers are looking at him as not even being in the top 5 as an RB, they're really missing the boat.
 
Yup, I was surprised no mention of Groshek either. He sure came through in a pinch last year, and even if Deal and James hadn't gotten hurt, I think Groshek might have gotten some snaps.
 
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