Wisconsin Football Freshman Who Could Push for Snaps This Fall

With Big Ten Media Days just around the corner, Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football coaching staff are anxiously awaiting the beginning of fall camp. That’s where the real fun begins.

UW has revamped its roster through the transfer portal, retained most players amidst the coaching change, and made some late, impact additions to salvage the 2023 recruiting class.

So when fall camp rolls around, there will be plenty of competition on both sides of the ball. This injection of talent is exactly what a team that finished 7-6 and failed to win the Big Ten West for the third consecutive season needs if they’re going to meet their lofty expectations.

Today, BadgerNotes examines which true freshman entering the Wisconsin football program could push for snaps or a potential spot in the two-deep this fall.

Nose Tackle, Jamel Howard

The defensive line is among the toughest positions for a true freshman to break through and earn snaps; I get that. 

However, if a freshman is going to see the field in any capacity, they’ve got to bring something to the table that nobody else in the room has — and to me — Jamel Howard is that guy. 

To be clear, he’s no shoo-in to crack the two-deep but hear me out. Howard, a three-star nose tackle out of Chicago, Illinois, already has the size and strength to hold up if Wisconsin football needs to give the starters a breather. 

At 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Howard is a massive human being with enough athleticism to be more than someone who just eats-up blocks—his ability to win with leverage and still show explosion stands out on film. 

With Keeanu Benton off to the NFL, Wisconsin football has only Gio Paez, Curt Neal, and Ben Barten returning at the position. With an impressive fall camp, there’s a chance for him to carve out a small role from the jump. 

Wisconsin Football Incoming Defensive Back Trio 

It might not be fair to lump three freshman corners into one group — but someone from the trio of Jonas Duclona, Amare Snowden, or Jace Arnold will see the field for Wisconsin football this fall. 

Duclona and Arnold enrolled early, got valuable snaps during spring ball, and were squarely in the two-deep when practice ended. However, the Badgers added transfer Nyzier Fourqurean who will factor into the CB equation — meaning one or even two freshman defensive backs could still press for time. 

If Snowden can get up to speed, he has all of the physical tools in the world to make an impact out on the boundary. At 6-foot-3, the Michigan native is a plus-size and length prospect who offers a different dimension and is the highest-upside recruit from the 2023 class, IMO. 

“I’m going to get on the field early especially,” Snowden said. “That defense coach Tressel is running; they need a boundary corner,” Amare Snowden said. “I can fill that; some people say it’s the ‘Sauce position.’ I’m long; I’m bigger, so I think I can fill that position really well.”

I’m beyond excited to see the young cornerbacks develop under the new Wisconsin football coaching staff — and there is no shortage of young talent to mold for the future. We should get our first look at a few of them this fall. 

Wisconsin Football Running Back, Nate White

Wisconsin football has some questions to answer during fall camp about who the No. 3 running back behind Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi will be. The 1, 2 punch has endured its fair share of injuries the past two seasons, so finding a viable third option will be critically important. 

With unproven options such as converted fullback Jackson Acker, converted safety Cade Yacamelli and walk-on Grover Bortolotti as the top options, true freshman Nate White from Milwaukee King could factor into the mix.

The Milwaukee native was the only scholarship tailback addition in the 2023 cycle, and his style fits the new offensive scheme better than the other players mentioned. 

At 6-foot, 175-pounds, he has great speed, elusiveness, make-you-miss stuff in the open field, and overall playmaking ability, making him an exciting young RB who could be a true home-run hitter out of the Wisconsin football backfield. 

That said, I’m skeptical that he’s going to be ready physically to play right away — I see him as someone that needs plenty of time to develop. But the running back room is unproven, and there is a need for a third running back — and as someone who offers a different dynamic out of the backfield — anything is possible for White (my money is on Acker). 

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