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Wisconsin Football: 3 Players Who’ll Benefit From Phil Longo’s Offense

Published

5 months ago

January 19, 2023

Sep 17, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) carries the football during warmups prior to the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Madison, Wis. – As if the hiring of Luke Fickell as head coach of the Wisconsin football program wasn’t shocking enough, he wasted little time choosing a transformative offensive coordinator of his own.

Coach Fickell convinced Phil Longo, who led four consecutive top-15 offenses (nationally) at North Carolina, to leave Chapel Hill and take the same position at the University of Wisconsin.

With him, coach Longo brings a modified air-raid offense. He’s done a terrific job adapting to his personnel at every stop – so UW traditionalists can relax – the Badgers won’t be throwing the ball 50+ times a game.

Even though the Badgers will have a dual-threat quarterback, Wisconsin football will still be a power running team – they’ll simply do it from a spread formation.

Here’s a look at three in-house players who should benefit from Phil Longo taking over as offensive coordinator of the Wisconsin football program.

Braelon Allen, RB

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Despite all of the rumors surrounding Braelon Allen, he confirmed he’s returning for his junior season in Madison. He’s coming off back-to-back All-Big Ten second-team performances, but the best is yet to come for the 6-foot-2, 238-pound running back.

How does adding an offensive coordinator that runs an air-raid offense benefit a bruising runner like Allen? By spreading out the opposing defense – that’s how. The sophomore tailback faced more eight-man boxes than any other Power 5 school – all because teams didn’t respect the Wisconsin football passing attack.

Next season that should all change. With an improved offensive line and better spacing on the field, I suspect that Allen will see the biggest running lanes of his young career. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him wind up on the All-Big Ten first team with a clean bill of health.

Skyler Bell, WR

Oct 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Skyler Bell (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Redshirt freshman Skyler Bell parlayed a breakout spring ball into a better fall camp and an honorable mention freshman all-American season for the Badgers.

The former three-star recruit caught 29 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns. Additionally, Bell was UW’s fourth-leading rusher, adding 116 yards on 12 carries via jet sweeps.

Bell offers a unique skill set despite a surplus of talented options in the WR room.

His speed is a weapon someone like coach Longo knows how to unlock and utilize. Bell has big play potential and has nowhere to go but up in what will hopefully be a much more dynamic Wisconsin football offense.

Jack Nelson, LT

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive linenam Jack Nelson (79) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who reads my work knows I have a ton of love for the Wisconsin football team’s offensive lineman. In coach Longo’s offense, Jack Nelson will have a chance to flourish/increase his NFL draft stock in 2023.

According to Pro Football Focus, Nelson played 676 snaps this year, 314 of which came as a pass-blocker. The junior offensive tackle was the Badgers’ highest-graded lineman in pass protection (83.1), allowing nine pressures and two sacks on the season.

Nelson, an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick, has proven to be a rock-solid pass protector – and I thought he improved in the run game as well. His athleticism is impressive for someone his size, and he, in my opinion, does his best work in space.

Under Longo, opposing defenses will be more spread out, so Nelson should face considerably less pressure on a down-to-down basis and do what he does best.

Jack Nelson might be the biggest in-house winner of this coaching change.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

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FootBall

Former Wisconsin Football RB Named to CFB Hall of Fame Ballot

Published

4 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Jake Maier

Sep 15, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) during the game against the Utah State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Utah State 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Madison, Wis. –The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot has been released, and a Wisconsin football legend is among the names on the list.

Montee Ball, who was with Wisconsin from 2010-2012, was among 78 players and nine coaches selected for the ballot.

Ball is among the most decorated players in Wisconsin history. The Badger legend received two first-team All-American nominations, along with winning the Doak Walker Award. He also received Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2011.

Ball placed himself in the NCAA record books when he tied with Barry Sanders for the most single-season TDs in NCAA history with 39 during the 2011 season and secured the NCAA record for most single-season points with 236. The Badger legend is also the only player in history to rush for 100 yards in three straight Rose Bowl games.

Ball amassed 5,255 yards and 79 touchdowns throughout his three years at UW. His best statistical season came in 2011 when the Wisconsin legend rushed for 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns. On top of that, Ball hauled in 24 receptions for 306 yards and six touchdowns in the same season.

Denver would select the former Badger in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, where he spent two years as a Bronco.

Other Wisconsin Football HOF Representatives

The Wisconsin football program currently has four players and one coach in the CFB Hall of Fame. Barry Alvarez was the first Badger to enter the HOF when he was selected in 2010. Ron Dayne (2013), Tim Krumrie (2016), Joe Thomas (2019), and Troy Vincent (2023) round out the rest of the list.

Ball stands out in the 2024 class due to the sheer volume of his accolades. When voting wraps up, I expect the Wisconsin legend to be among those inducted.

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FB Recruiting

Wisconsin Football Lands 2024 Three-Star Interior Offensive Lineman

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Jake Maier

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin football program has picked up its fourth commit in the last three days, with three-star offensive lineman Ryan Cory coming on board.

The news comes just an hour after four-star OT Kevin Heywood announced his commitment to Wisconsin.

Cory took to Twitter to announce his commitment.

Committed. @CoachFick @CoachBicknell @CoachPhilLongo @CaseyRabach_61 @RivalsFriedman @adamgorney @BrianDohn247 @outerlim @210ths @Coach_LeDonne #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/iEuQLDQm0J

— Ryan Cory (@RyanCory15) June 7, 2023

Wisconsin beat out offers from Pitt, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Oregon, Rutgers, and many more. Cory was set to visit Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt in the coming weeks.

According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Cory is the No. 778 player in the nation, the No. 50 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 24 player in Pennsylvania.

What Ryan Cory brings to the Wisconsin football program

Cory is coming off a remarkable junior season. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman received First-Team All-Conference honors and earned a state championship win.

Looking at his film, there’s a lot to like about his upside. Cory is fearless in creating contact against defenders at the second level while putting out some key blocks for his tailback. His hand speed and placement also stand out.

In pass-blocking reps, the 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman is a brick wall. Cory can easily contain power moves from opposing linemen with his strength. He rarely gets off balance and consistently creates leverage against defenders.

Cory will be an excellent depth piece for the offensive line while he works on his craft. If the Pennsylvania native can refine his technique a bit more, he could be an impactful lineman for Wisconsin.

Cory joins Kevin Heywood and Derek Jensen as linemen to commit to UW. The Wisconsin football program now holds 12 commitments in the 2024 cycle.

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FB Recruiting

Wisconsin Football Lands 2024 Four-Star Offensive Lineman Commit

Published

16 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Jake Maier

Wisconsin football stadium: Camp Randall

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

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin football program has picked up a commitment from one of the nation’s premier offensive linemen.

Four-star OT Kevin Heywood took to Twitter to announce his commitment to Wisconsin.

Committed. @CoachFick @CoachBicknell @CoachHitsch @CoachPhilLongo @BCstrength @PatLambert13 @_maximus347 @nolanrucci @CullenLCasey @CaseyRabach_61 @MikeWakins pic.twitter.com/QuASQN786M

— Kevin Heywood (@KevHeywood52) June 6, 2023

UW beat out offers from some juggernaut programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan, USC, and many more.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Heywood is the No. 266 player in the nation, the No. 25 OT, and the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania.

The four-star prospect began his official visit to Wisconsin on June 2nd. He was slated to take officials to Kentucky, Auburn, and USC in the coming weeks. Instead, Heywood decided to commit to the Wisconsin football program on the same weekend.

The Badgers missed out on multiple in-state offensive linemen to Penn State early in the 2024 cycle. Because of that, securing multiple offensive linemen quickly became a priority for UW, and they were able to poach a top player out of Pennsylvania.

What Kevin Heywood brings to the Wisconsin football program

The first thing that jumps out for Heywood is his frame. Standing at 6-foot-7, 280-pound, Heywood stands out in his class, and he uses his size well. He consistently gets his hands at pad level and is able to drive defenders off of the line of scrimmage.

The Pennsylvania native thrives in pass pro. With his size, he’s a brick wall on the offensive front who can easily stop rushers in their tracks.

Heywood is a prototypical Wisconsin offensive lineman. His skill set could make him an immediate difference-maker on UW’s offensive front.

With the commitment, the Wisconsin football program holds 11 commits in the 2024 cycle. Heywood joins in-state OT Derek Jensen as the sole offensive line commits in the 2024 cycle.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter. Also, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here. Additionally, like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. Also, you can follow Jake Maier on Twitter @JakeJMaier.