Wisconsin Football: Bold Predictions for the Badgers Defense in 2023

In our first installment of bold predictions for the Wisconsin football team, we looked at the offensive side of the ball. Now, for part two, we’ll focus on the Badgers defense. The defense has been one of the best and most consistent units in the entire country since Dave Aranda took over as the defensive coordinator in 2013. Jim Leonhard took control of the defense in 2017 and made it one of the elite defenses in the country.

New defensive coordinator Mike Tressel will look to continue that dominance. He has a nice cast of players to work with and Wisconsin fans are still expecting a stout defense, even without Leonhard.

So here are my bold predictions for the 2023 Wisconsin defense.

1. Darryl Peterson Paces the Wisconsin Football Defense with Double-Digit Sacks

The Badgers have a big pass-rushing hole that needs to be filled this year. Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton were first and second in sacks last year, respectively. They combined for 15.5 sacks. That’s a lot of production that needs to be replaced.

Darryl Peterson came to Wisconsin as a highly-coveted 4-star recruit. He chose Wisconsin over teams like Michigan and Alabama. After a couple of years of waiting his turn, it’s Peterson’s time to contribute. He can win off the line with his speed or his power. He has all of the physical tools needed to be an effective pass-rusher in the Big Ten.

Let’s call this season the Darryl Peterson coming-out party.

Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler (24) is shown during the first quarter of their game Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin beat Illinois State 38-0.
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2. Hunter Wohler has 5+ interceptions

A sneaky stat that a lot of Wisconsin football fans may not know is that the Badgers finished second in the Big Ten with 17 picks, only training Illinois (24). Safety John Torchio had five himself.

With the Jewelry Thief graduated, the Badgers are going to have to find themselves a new ball-hawking safety. Last year, Hunter Wohler had one interception while playing in just six games, but missed more than half the season with a leg injury.

With Kamo’i Latu being more of the box safety, I would expect Wohler to be playing center field in Tressel’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme that he is bringing to Madison. Wohler comes into his own this season and leads the Badgers in interceptions.

3. Maema Njongmeta leads the Big Ten with 120 tackles

Njongmeta led the Badgers in tackles a year ago with 95 total tackles, good for seventh in the Big Ten. He added 12.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. With that performance, he earned third-team all-Big Ten honors.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say he goes out with a bang in his senior season. Not only will his numbers go up, but I think he will lead the entire conference in total tackles with 120.

Last year, Iowa’s Jack Campbell led the conference with 127. Michigan State’s Cal Haladay was second to Campbell with 120 tackles last year. I think that is entirely within the reach for Njongmeta this season. Unless someone comes along and has a Jack Campbell-like season, I feel comfortable putting Njongmeta in the conversation as one of the top and most productive linebackers in the Big Ten in 2023.

Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) celebrates with cornerback Max Lofy (12) following an interception during the first quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ricardo Hallman becomes a shutdown cornerback for Wisconsin Football

With Jay Shaw, Cedrick Dort, and Justin Clark all leaving the program, the Badgers have some spots to fill at cornerback this season. Alexander Smith, Ricardo Hallman, and Jason Maitre should all be in competition for the starting corner gigs.

Heading into his junior season, Ricardo Hallman has appeared in 11 games. He has 10 total tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. Not necessarily a tell-tale sign of a future lockdown cornerback. But he was a guy who was brought up frequently during spring practices, making play after play.

But he really broke out during the Badgers spring game. The game was televised on Big Ten Network, so fans got to see Hallman record three interceptions on his own during the game. All three picks came off of starting quarterback, Tanner Mordecai. Granted, the weather was miserable and wet and the offense is still a big work in progress. But he was still able to lock down the receivers and go up and make some impressive interceptions.

He showed last year that he can make some impressive catches. Does anyone remember this one?

Probably could have been called for pass interference, but a helluva interception by Ricardo Hallman. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/QQVAM3vLt0

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 17, 2022

Now, I am definitely not saying he’ll be the next Sauce Gardner. But this is the staff that helped Gardner develop into one of the top cornerbacks in the country a couple of years ago. I think they are going to help Hallman be the next lockdown corner for the Wisconsin Badgers.

5. Wisconsin Football finishes higher than 7th in points allowed in the Big Ten

Last season, the Badgers were 7th in points allowed in the Big Ten, allowing 20.2 points per game. A new head coach, defensive coordinator, and a new defensive scheme could definitely result in a regression. Now add in the fact that the offense is going to be a lot faster, translating to less time of possession. Ultimately adding up to the defense being on the field.

When a defense is on the field more, teams are generally going to put up more points.

My final bold prediction for the defense is that not only will they not regress, but they will improve in the points allowed area. I think the Badgers will improve but also teams that finished ahead of them like Illinois (12.8), Iowa (13.3), and Minnesota (13.8), won’t be able to repeat what they did defensively last season. Especially if this Wisconsin offense is able to hang 30+ points on them during the regular season.

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