Wisconsin Football 2024 Spring Practice Preview: Offensive Line

Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell and his staff are preparing for their second round of spring practices with the program. 

The Badgers are set to begin spring ball on March 22 and run until May 2. Several of those practices are expected to be open to the media.  

Here’s a look at Wisconsin’s offensive line room, along with a player to watch, a newcomer that excites me, and the biggest question mark. 

Wisconsin Football Team’s Projected OL Depth Chart 

Apr 11, 2023; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Starters: 

LT: Jack Nelson 

LG: Joe Brunner

C: Jake Renfro 

RG: Joe Huber

RT: Riley Mahlman 

Backups: 

LT: Kevin Heywood 

LG: Colin Cubberly  

C: James Durand 

RG: JP Benzschawel  

RT: Barrett Nelson 

Wisconsin football is undergoing significant changes on the offensive line for myriad reasons. The transfer portal has played a notable role, as evidenced by the departures of Dylan Barrett, Trey Wedig, and Nolan Rucci this offseason. Additionally, Tanor Bortolini, a versatile asset for the Badgers who started at center last fall, has moved on to the NFL.

With key depth pieces to replace and a positional battle to navigate on the interior, Wisconsin enters a pivotal transition phase under new offensive line coach AJ Blazek.

At the tackle spots, the Badgers seem solid, with Jack Nelson opting to return and Riley Mahlman holding down the right side. Nelson, in particular, experienced a dip in his draft stock during the 2023 season. Can he reclaim his former status as one of Wisconsin’s premier players?

However, the interior positions present more uncertainties. Jake Renfro, who is expected to be the starting center, has been hindered by injuries, making his ability to stay healthy a pressing concern. At the guard positions, Joe Huber is set to retain his starting role, but Michael Furtney’s departure leaves a vacancy at the opposite guard spot. The battle for this position will likely involve contenders such as Joe Brunner and JP Benzschawel, a pair of promising interior prospects.

As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the competition unfolding within the Badgers’ interior offensive line. However, Wisconsin football also needs to re-establish its depth, and early enrollees Kevin Heywood and Colin Cubberly will have a chance to get plenty of work this spring.

Badgers Player to Watch 

There are plenty of narratives worth following this spring, but the offensive lineman I’m most interested in monitoring is Badgers center Jake Renfro.

First, has Renfro fully recovered from his injuries? His start in the ReliaQuest Bowl suggests he’s in good shape, but we’ve yet to witness him in action on the practice field in Madison.

According to Pro Football Focus, Renfro played 75 snaps against LSU, allowing three pressures and one sack in 50 pass-blocking sets. Perhaps more importantly, his style of play and ability to snap from the shotgun appeared to help the timing of the Wisconsin football offense overall.

Given the previous uncertainties at the center position in 2023, a strong showing from Renfro throughout spring ball would provide some much-needed stability for Wisconsin football.

Wisconsin Football Newcomer That Excites Me

I’ve said it once, and I’ll probably say it 100 more times, so you’ll have to forgive me, but true freshman offensive tackle Kevin Heywood is a player with unlimited potential and has a chance to be special. 

Heywood, a four-star offensive tackle hailing from Royersford, Pennsylvania, not only emerged as the top-rated player in the Wisconsin football team’s recruiting class but also secured an impressive No. 4 ranking among all 2024 offensive tackles. 

The 6-foot-8, 312-pound tackle has an athletic, lean frame but looks more than capable of carrying the mass needed to play in the Big Ten without losing a step. Heywood shows plenty of nastiness on film and looks like the future of this Wisconsin offensive line if all breaks right. 

With Rucci having left this offseason and very few proven depth pieces in place, Heywood will get thrown into the fire immediately this spring. Can he earn himself a spot in the two-deep right away? I wouldn’t rule it out. 

Offensive Line Room’s Biggest Question Mark 

The Wisconsin football team’s biggest question mark on the offensive line is who claims the starting guard job opposite Joe Huber. 

Depending on where this staff feels he fits best, Huber could play at either right or left guard, but either Brunner or Benzschawel will battle it out to determine the fifth starter. Both are former four-star recruits and have seen the field sparingly to this point. 

Regardless of who wins the job, the other will likely find themselves as the swing guard on the two-deep. From what I’ve heard, Brunner might be the frontrunner for Wisconsin football at this point. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. For more Wisconsin Badgers Athletics and Big Ten content, follow us on Twitter & Facebook. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher @DillonGraff at Dillon.T.Graff@gmail.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop, subscribe to our newsletter, and the BadgerNotes After Dark podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. Because of your support, we have become one of the fastest-growing independent media outlets focused on giving a voice to the fans!