Wisconsin Badgers Freshman CB Showing Promise During Spring Practice

Madison, Wis. —The Wisconsin Badgers cornerback room currently features a group where six of the 10 players are either freshmen or sophomores, leaving the door of opportunity wide open for opportunities this spring.

UW’s top three corners, Alexander Smith, Ricardo Hallman, and Jason Maitre, are cemented as the unquestioned top group.

But one of the young players who has stepped up behind them and earned meaningful reps during spring practice is three-star defensive back Jonas Duclona, who de-committed from Cincinnati to follow Luke Fickell to the University of Wisconsin.

“What I like most about Coach Fickell is that he’s a family man, has a vision for the program, and wants to take high school kids and develop them instead of going straight to the transfer portal,” Duclona said.

A four-year varsity starter from Naples, Florida, Duclona is a promising talent that played in the Army All-American Bowl following an impressive prep career where he registered 105 tackles, 27 pass deflections, and seven interceptions.

The Wisconsin Badgers Coaching Staff Is High on Jonas Duclona

Jonas Duclona, the talented 6-foot freshman who enrolled at UW early to participate in spring practice, has already shown flashes of why the coaching staff prioritized him on the recruiting trail, already earning second-team reps with Mike Tressel’s defense.

Despite being a newcomer to the program, Duclona has quickly made an impression on his new coaches and teammates with his athleticism, work ethic, and ability to quickly process information on the field.

2️⃣1️⃣ did somethin’ for us pic.twitter.com/CdtnVpIhYy

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 18, 2023

There have been plenty of ebbs and flows, considering he’s going against a talented group of pass-catchers, but he’s consistently making plays on the ball and breaking up passes.

He also caught my eye during ‘The Launch,’ recording an interception, and had a great pass breakup in the back of the endzone on what would have otherwise been a touchdown to Quincy Burroughs.

Denied 🚫 pic.twitter.com/faOjIVIEcq

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 22, 2023

Duclona has earned praise from his coaches for his technique, footwork, ability to read routes, and willingness to learn and take coaching.

While he might not play a huge role for the Wisconsin Badgers this season, considering the program expects to add an experienced CB through the transfer portal, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about his future with the program.

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