Wisconsin Badgers Freshman Who Could Push for Snaps This Fall
Fall camp is just around the corner for the Wisconsin football program, so we examine which true freshman players could see snaps this fall.
With Big Ten Media Days just around the corner, Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football coaching staff are anxiously awaiting the beginning of fall camp. That's where the real fun begins.
UW has revamped its roster through the transfer portal, retained most players amidst the coaching change, and made some late, impact additions to salvage the 2023 recruiting class.
So when fall camp rolls around, there will be plenty of competition on both sides of the ball. This injection of talent is exactly what a team that finished 7-6 and failed to win the Big Ten West for the third consecutive season needs if they're going to meet their lofty expectations.
Today, BadgerNotes examines which true freshman entering the Wisconsin football program could push for snaps or a potential spot in the two-deep this fall.
Nose Tackle, Jamel Howard
The defensive line is among the toughest positions for a true freshman to break through and earn snaps; I get that.
However, if a freshman is going to see the field in any capacity, they've got to bring something to the table that nobody else in the room has -- and to me -- Jamel Howard is that guy.
To be clear, he's no shoo-in to crack the two-deep but hear me out. Howard, a three-star nose tackle out of Chicago, Illinois, already has the size and strength to hold up if Wisconsin football needs to give the starters a breather.
At 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Howard is a massive human being with enough athleticism to be more than someone who just eats-up blocks—his ability to win with leverage and still show explosion stands out on film.
With Keeanu Benton off to the NFL, Wisconsin football has only Gio Paez, Curt Neal, and Ben Barten returning at the position. With an impressive fall camp, there's a chance for him to carve out a small role from the jump.