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Last year, Wisconsin’s defense was among the best in the nation. With a stacked front seven, it looks like this year’s defense can be just as good… If they can figure out the secondary, that is.
Previous Previews: Running Backs | Linebackers | Special Teams | Wide Receivers/Tight Ends | Defensive Line | Quarterback |
Both starting safeties from last year are gone, which is a huge blow to the team. Captain Michael Caputo was the unquestioned heart and soul of the defense, while Tanner McEvoy was superb in his “Center Fielder” role. Also departed is the always reliable Darius Hillary, who was the number one cornerback for the Badgers for the past three years. Wisconsin needs to figure out a way to replace all three of them if they want their defense to even come close to replicating the success of last year.
What We Know:
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 05: Sojourn Shelton #8 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Sojourn Shelton and Derrick Tindal will be the starting cornerbacks. Despite being only 5-9, Shelton is going to be among the best cornerbacks in the Big Ten. He is athletic, good in coverage, and experienced. In fact, the senior has started 37 games for the Badgers, more than anyone else on the roster. Shelton has been solid. He has 5 careers interceptions and 20 pass breakups, earning him All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions from the media for his freshman and junior seasons.
Last year in particular, he showed very good coverage skills and was a big reason for the success of the secondary. This year, he will be the leader of the secondary and will do just fine going head-to-head with opponent’s best receivers.
His partner, Tindal, has played in 24 games and started 7 over the first two seasons of his career. He is a strong tackler and was solid as a slot cornerback last season, although he did have the tendency to use his hands too much in coverage, leading to penalties. If he can’t improve that, there may be some growing pains as he makes the adjustment to the outside. However, he looked good enough in spring camp to lock up the starting gig. He isn’t going to be a star, but he can be a serviceable starter for the Badgers.
What We Need To Find Out:
Who will start at the two safety spots? Which other cornerbacks will see the field?
If you are the type of person that believes that a lot of competition will bring out the best in players, I have got some good news. There are currently nine players fighting for playing time at safety. Nine!
Senior Leo Musso is the early favorite to start at Tanner McEvoy’s old spot, but he is nowhere near a lock. Last year, he started the first game against Alabama and was benched for his abysmal tackling. He does have good coverage and ball skills, recording 3 career picks. Junior D’Cota Dixon, a converted linebacker, is vying for the strong safety spot. He’s one of the best tacklers in the group, and looked good in his limited time last season.
True sophomore Arrington Farrar is very talented, with solid coverage and tackling and was an important special teams player last year. Expect him to step up in a big way in 2016, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him win a starting job. However, making your first career start against LSU at Lambeau Field isn’t a recipe for success. Junior Joe Ferguson also will have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. He is big, strong, athletic, and is the grandson of “The Don”, Barry Alvarez.
Lubern Figaro and Keelon Brooks are a pair of junior competing for time at safety. Figaro started seven games under Gary Andersen as a true freshman, including against LSU. When Paul Chryst took over, Figaro disappeared from the two-deep completely. However, he does have the tackling ability and experience to make him a threat to either win back his starting spot or become a key reserve.
The last three guys fighting for playing time are a trio of freshman, Eric Burrell, Patrick Johnson, and Evan Bondoc. Bondoc, a redshirt freshman walk-on, turned heads at the Spring Game with his game-leading 12 tackles and 2 pass breakups. And at Wisconsin, the walk-on title has been proven to mean literally nothing. Johnson, a free safety and Burrell, a strong safety, were both 4-star recruits. While they are most likely to redshirt, you never know what could happen if they have big camps. They both have the talent.
Thankfully, there is a little more clarity at cornerback. While the third, fourth, and fifth spots are open on the depth chart, there is a pretty good idea on who will take them. The order just isn’t know yet. Natrell Jamerson is a big, speedy, hard-hitting wide receiver convert. He is uber athletic, but he needs to improve in coverage. Redshirt freshman Titus Booker is coming off a great spring camp, and will see a lot of snaps. Serge Trezy is a senior that is 6-2, runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash and has done nothing but bounce from position to position since he transferred to Wisconsin. He can change that with a strong fall camp.
Player To Watch
Titus Booker, RS Fr.
Booker, a 3-star cornerback from Grayslake, Illinois, had a great freshman season despite redshirting. He started it off with a phenomenal showing in summer and fall camp when he first arrived, turning the heads of both the media and coaching staff.
True freshman I really liked today was Titus Booker. 4.4 speed looks legit, had a couple PBU's, and hits on receivers. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 10, 2015
CB Titus Booker has been one of the last to leave the practice field every day. @BadgersCoachDJ: "I love it. He wants to play." #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 15, 2015
He continued to play well in practices throughout the year, earning him Wisconsin Football’s Defensive Scout Player of the Year Award. He then continued to shine in spring camp of this year.
Freshman CB Titus Booker got his hands a lot of passes today. Continues to play very well for the #Badgers defense.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) April 5, 2016
Titus Booker worked with 2nd team D at CB, and beat Rob Wheelwright in a blocking drill at the end of practice. Impressive. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) March 29, 2016
Now he’s going to play for real. He is 6 foot 1, has great speed, and is a hard worker. If he continues to play well in practices, he can unseat Natrell Jamerson for the third cornerback spot. Whether it’s this year or next year, Booker is going to be a very cornerback for the Badgers.
Projected Depth Chart
FS: D’Cota Dixon, Jr.; Joe Ferguson, Jr.
SS: Leo Musso, Sr.; Arrington Farrar, So.
CB: Sojourn Shelton, Sr.; Natrell Jamerson, Jr.
CB: Derrick Tindal, Jr.; Titus Booker, Fr.
Overall Outlook
The secondary is easily the biggest wildcard for the 2016 Wisconsin Badgers. Outside of Sojourn Shelton and maybe Tindal, none of the players are remotely proven. The rest of the defense is going to be really good. Unfortunately, the secondary looks like it might turn into liability. This group is a clear downgrade from last year’s secondary, and players like Musso, Dixon, and Tindal really need to step up.
The post Wisconsin Badgers 2016 Football Preview: Secondary appeared first on Madtown Badgers.
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