Wisconsin Football Discloses Freshman Who Could See the Field Early

Looking ahead to the upcoming Wisconsin football season, Luke Fickell highlighted the possible instant impact of a few key 2024 Badgers recruits on National Signing Day.

Coach Fickell specifically emphasized the linebacker position as a spot with the potential for early contributions from a few incoming freshmen. 

Wisconsin Football Coaches Thinks Freshman LBs Could Earn Snaps

Sep 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell look on prior to the start of the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Singling out four-star outside linebacker Thomas Heiberger, Fickell praised his adaptability, drawing comparisons to Christian Alliegro, a rare true freshman who saw significant playing time last season.

“He’s got some length, he’s got some athleticism,” Fickell stated. “Now we just have to find the fit, the position, and continue to build,” Fickell said.

He’ll join the program in a few weeks, which gives the Wisconsin football staff a jump start on assessing his fit during spring ball, providing him ample opportunities for early reps. The athletic tools are off the charts for Heiberger; the Badgers simply need to nail down what linebacker spot gives him the best opportunity to make an impact. 

Another linebacker drawing the coaching staff’s attention is Landon Gauthier, an in-state product from Bayport. He, like Heiberger, will commence training in the coming weeks. His potential to bolster the team’s linebacker depth is an area of interest, considering Jordan Turner entered the portal, and Maema Njongmeta and Tatum Grass are expected to move on from the Wisconsin football team after the bowl game. 

“Not that you count on young guys to come in and to play right away, but the guy that comes in early, the guy that’s got the size, the strength that he [Gauthier] has,” Fickell continued. “He’s got some things walking in the door that gives him an opportunity to be able to really contribute next year,” Fickell said.

Wisconsin football has been overhauling its linebacker corps through the transfer portal during the offseason. The Badgers have already made additions on the edge with Leon Lowery and John Pius, and more recently brought in Jahsiah Galvan as an inside linebacker to boost its overall athleticism at the position to play in space. 

Source: Wisconsin Football Fought Off Big Ten Blue Blood for RB Commit

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