Ricardo Hallman’s ‘Consistency’ is Impressing the Wisconsin Football Coaching Staff

Madison, Wis. — Spring practice offered a clean slate for all Wisconsin football players held over from the previous regime. For one redshirt sophomore cornerback on the Badgers, his consistent approach to the game has caught the attention of his new head coach Luke Fickell. 

“If you asked me, in particular, one guy that’s been as consistent as anybody, I’d say Ricardo [Hallman],” Fickell told reporters after practice. “Each and every day, we try to strive to not be that occasionally great but the consistently good, which then turns you into consistently really good, which in the long run makes you great. If I were to pick one, I’d say Ricardo; every single day has been consistently good, and you’ve seen him grow and get better.”

Despite being relatively inexperienced, the Florida native has reportedly been making plays and demonstrating a solid understanding of the team’s new defensive scheme under Mike Tressel. His consistent performance in practice has led to him receiving reps with the first-team defense as the boundary corner opposite Alexander Smith and nickel Jason Maitre. The trio has been the top grouping for Wisconsin football all spring. 

Hunter Wohler and Ricardo Hallman showing all the makings of making big time jumps this year. Both came down with INTs and a nice PBU to add on to what’s been a really nice spring for the two. #Badgers

— Raul Vazquez (@VazquezRivals) April 11, 2023

Wisconsin Football Will Be Young, Inexperienced at CB in 2023

The Wisconsin football program currently features a young cornerback room, where six of the 10 players are either freshmen or sophomores. 

With the graduation of several key defensive backs from last season, the Badgers will rely on younger players like Hallman to step up and fill those important roles in the secondary. 

This past season, the 5-foot-10 defensive back appeared in nine games, starting eight, played 341 total snaps, and registered 9.0 tackles, 3.0 pass deflections, and one interception while playing on the boundary.

ONE-HANDED INTERCEPTION. 😱@ricardohallman6 x @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/05sp80YvKu

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 17, 2022

Hallman, a former three-star recruit, only allowed a 41.4 REC% — giving up 12 catches on 29 targets, per PFF. Unfortunately, his one tough outing against Michigan State, where he was targeted eight times and allowed 3TDs, seems to overshadow an otherwise impressive redshirt freshman season.

Wisconsin football may add another defensive back because they want more experience, which would eat into Hallman’s playing time, but the reports out of spring practice have been highly encouraging. 

It sounds like Hallman’s up to the challenge of becoming a starting cornerback and has the potential to become a key contributor for the Badgers and make an impact in the upcoming season. 

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