Oct 8, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety Kamo'i Latu (13) celebrates with linebacker Maema Njongmeta (55), left and cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) after incepting a pass in the first quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Badgers football staff has done plenty to develop a winning culture, and some key players may assist in the program’s development this upcoming season.
There is no doubt this is one of the most talented rosters Wisconsin has put together. Now, the team will be expected to perform on the field as well. Between the staff and transfer portal turnover, the Badgers will look like a much different team. The success from the past is being ushered out as the next chapter is about to be written. The new success of the Badgers will also come from some new faces.
Three Breakout Candidates For The Upcoming 2023 Season
After having a dominant run in the transfer portal, the Badgers have added plenty of plug-and-play talent. Between offensive coordinator Phil Longo and head coach Luke Fickell, the Wisconsin Badgers football team has boatloads of experience in success and leadership. An experienced staff knows to point experienced individuals to lead the team. However, Wisconsin will have multiple players step-up into new roles.
This Wisconsin Badgers team will likely have a number of players perform above their expectations. On the other hand, there may be some players that fail to reach their expectations. Yet, that is how all sports go, and the Badgers have learned what it feels like to miss out on their expectations after their struggles a year ago.
Heading into the 2023 season, here are the three biggest breakout candidates for this new-look Badgers squad.
Candidate #1: Jeff Pietrowski, Outside Linebacker, Red-shirt Junior
Naturally with the amount of transfers Wisconsin had, one of them will need to breakout. Obviously there is no “breakout” statistic, nor is there plenty of information that could point towards future success. However, if there were a breakout gauge, outside linebacker Jeff Pietrowski Jr. would be off the charts. Perhaps the most intense player on the field and in the gym, Pietrowski was a two year starter for Michigan State before suffering a major injury this past season. Pietrowski played in the first three games before missing the final nine and taking a red-shirt.
During his three seasons with the Spartans, Pietrowski had his best year in 2021 when he recorded 33 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. The intimidating force that is Pietrowski will once again take the field this year, but this time he will wear Badger colors. Pietrowski had finally come into his own this past season before his unfortunate injury. Now, the 6-foot-1-inch, 250-pound linebacker is more eager than ever to play. Pietrowski is the perfect example of how coach Fickell wants his entire team to play, and he should excel in 2023 given the circumstances.
The 6-foot, 200-pound safety turned running back Cade Yacamelli is one of the most interesting stories coming out of Madison. Yacamelli was recruited in the 2022 class and eventually signed as an athlete. Originally, Wisconsin Badgers football expected the athlete to play as a defensive back for the team.
However, halfway through last season, the Badgers and Yacamelli agreed to convert the player into a running back. Now the talented player is expected to take on a solid role despite his lower ranking in the depth chart. While there may be incredible talent ahead of Yacamelli, the recruit has plenty of breakout potential.
Starting with the new offense, offensive coordinator Phil Longo has been known for spreading the ball. Longo created a two-headed monster at UNC with Javonte Williams and Michael Carter both dominating on the ground. Longo is bound to use as many players as he can, and Yacamelli has already made his presence known during the Spring camp. With all the focus on Braelon Allen and his inevitable success, Yacamelli has the chance to silently have a great season for the Badgers.
After his Spring performance in practice and the game, Ricardo Hallman had to be on this list. The 5-foot-10-inch, 180-pound corner back snagged an interception a year ago for the Badgers. After snagging multiple interceptions from starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai in the Spring game, the defensive back looks ready to make an impact for the Badgers. With an already strong defense surrounding him, Hallman should have no issues making a difference for Wisconsin during the 2023 season.
The intelligent corner back has continued to learn and develop under the guidance of the new staff. Hallman can establish himself as a shutdown corner with the right preparation. Hopefully, Hallman, Yacamelli, and Pietrowski can all prove themselves for the Badgers this season.
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Expectations for the Wisconsin football program are sky-high entering the 2023 season. Part of that is Luke Fickell taking over as head coach, and another part is Phil Longo joining his staff and implementing his air raid offensive attack, bringing the Badgers into the 21st century.
And while that’s all well and good, Wisconsin needed someone capable of elevating the quarterback room to take the next step offensively. So the coaching staff went portaling this offseason and came out with a proven option to lead the charge.
In two seasons starting at SMU, Mordecai threw for 7,152 yards, 72 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and had a 66.4% completion percentage. Mordecai’s arm talent and experience, coupled with the new offensive system, could lead him to break several passing records in his lone season in Madison.
Tanner Mordecai Could Re-Write the Badgers History Books
Mordecai was a highly recruited quarterback out of high school, and he chose to attend the University of Oklahoma. He redshirted his freshman year and then served as a backup quarterback for two seasons behind Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. He later transferred to SMU, where he went crazy and put himself on the NFL’s radar.
Mordecai’s transfer to Wisconsin has generated a lot of excitement among Badgers fans. The team has long been known for its strong running game, but with Mordecai at the helm, they could have a potent passing attack as well.
Phil Longo, the Badgers new offensive coordinator, is known for his air raid offense, which relies heavily on the passing game. This could be a perfect fit for Mordecai, who has shown that he can make accurate throws and read defenses well.
If the 6-foot-3, 214-pound signal-caller can replicate his performances from the past two seasons or even come close; he has a chance to break several long-standing passing records at Wisconsin.
The school’s single-season passing record is 3,175 yards, set by Russell Wilson in 2011 (the only Wisconsin football quarterback to eclipse 3k). Under coach Longo, his starting QBs have a five-year average of 3,704 passing yards per season. Also, consider that Mordecai threw for over 3,500 yards in the past two seasons.
Mordecai’s impressive arm strength, plentiful opportunities, and accuracy could help him surpass that mark. Of course, there will be challenges for the Texas native as he adjusts to a new offense and a new team.
Wisconsin Football is in Good Hands
The Big Ten is known for its physical, hard-hitting defenses, and Mordecai will likely face some tough tests on the field. However, he has shown the talent and the drive to succeed at the highest level of college football.
Overall, Tanner Mordecai is a quarterback to watch in the upcoming season. His transfer to the Wisconsin football program has generated a lot of excitement, and if he can replicate his performances from the past two seasons, he could break the single-season passing record.
With Phil Longo’s air raid offense and Mordecai’s impressive arm talent, the Badgers could have one of the most potent passing attacks in the Big Ten if everything breaks right.
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader carries the Wisconsin flag following a score during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a busy couple of days for the Wisconsin football program, especially on the recruiting front, but fear not because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important Badgers news you may have missed.
Wisconsin Badgers Trying to Flip a Defensive Line Commit
According to the industry-generated composite rankings, he’s the No. 88 DL in the country and the No. 39 player in Ohio.
Brewu, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound three-star defensive lineman, registered 25 tackles and 12.5 sacks for Thomas Worthington High School as a junior.
It’s unknown whether or not Wisconsin has a real chance to flip the ACC commit, but from what I’m hearing, the Badgers coaching staff is trying to get him on campus for an official visit in June.
Wisconsin Football Makes the Cut for 2024 Offensive Tackle
Wisconsin football currently holds just one offensive line commit in the 2024 recruiting cycle: four-star OT Derek Jensen, who pledged to the Badgers in April. However, they still need several more bodies at the position and made the cut for one of their top remaining targets.
Three-star offensive tackle Ronan O’Connell announced his top three schools: Clemson, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Truly thankful for every school that has recruited me up to this point. With that being said here’s my top 3 schools! Recruitment still open. pic.twitter.com/PCsJtk7dwH
According to the 247Sports composite rankings, O’Connell is the No. 39 OT in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 13 player in Tennessee.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Tennessee native probably projects best at guard in college and has an official visit on the books to visit Madison on June 9.
Other Wisconsin Football News
After Wisconsin football coaches flew out to Maryland to watch 2024 cornerback Lloyd Irvin workout in person, the coaching staff extended him a scholarship offer, and he wasted no time repaying the favor, scheduling an official visit to Madison shortly after that.
Irvin, a 6-foot-3 unranked cornerback prospect who holds offers from Michigan, Maryland, Boston College, Michigan State, West Virginia, and several others, will be on campus for an official visit the weekend of June 9-11.
“They’re a big contender,” Irvin said. “This coaching staff at Wisconsin has experience getting long cornerbacks into the league and helping them develop.”
Although he’s not currently ranked in the industry-generated recruiting rankings, some major schools are involved or circling, so this could be a sneaky talent worth locking down to develop.
It would be an understatement to say that the Badgers’ defensive coaching staff has a type with their defensive backs. If you don’t have plus size and length, you can forget about getting an offer from Wisconsin at this point.
Sep 17, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Julius Davis (32) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the New Mexico State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The transfer portal has become an increasingly popular route for college players to find new opportunities and see if the grass is, in fact, greener on the other side. And just like every other school, Wisconsin football lost its fair share of players during the coaching transition from Paul Chryst to Luke Fickell.
Several former Badgers have entered the portal this off-season in search of a better system fit, more playing time, or potential NIL opportunities on the open market.
After recently taking a look at where former Wisconsin coaches found new homes, I figured it might be worthwhile to see where the Badgers who entered the transfer portal will play in 2023, starting with the defense.
This is a special one! Beyond thankful to receive an offer from my dream school! With that being said, I am also committing to Stanford University to finish out my athletic career and education! #GoStanfordpic.twitter.com/UV7b7Z1bsx
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