Wisconsin Football News: Badgers Hire RB Coach, Engram Transferring, More

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Wisconsin football program, ladies and gents, but fear not because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Football Hires Fast-Rising FCS Assistant as RB Coach

With only the running back coaching vacancy remaining, the Wisconsin football program has reportedly found a fit.

According to FootballScoop, Luke Fickell is hiring Devon Spalding, who worked for him as a grad assistant at Cincinnati, as the new running backs coach, after spending the last three seasons at Youngstown State.

Spalding’s considered a fast riser in the coaching ranks, having wrapped up his playing career in 2018. Last season, he coached RB Jaleel McLaughlin, who ran for 1,588 yards and was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, honoring the FCS’s top offensive player.

As a team, Youngstown State averaged 202.6 yards per game, marking the second consecutive season it eclipsed 200+ yards per contest.

Barring any unforeseen changes, the Wisconsin football staff is now finalized.

Wisconsin Football Loses Dean Engram to the Transfer Portal 

One day after teasing a switch to defensive back in 2023, WR/DB Dean Engram entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.

I am grateful for my time as a Badger.

With that being said, I am entering the Transfer Portal with 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Love, Dean Engram pic.twitter.com/fviCTf4o3j

— Dean Engram (@DeanEngram) January 19, 2023

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound WR flashed in 108 snaps, catching 13 passes for 152 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Engram finished with a 69.5 grade for the 2022 season, which was second among Wisconsin football wide receivers.

In 2021, Engram started five games at DB, appearing in 13, and registered 20 tackles, three pass deflections, two pressures, and an interception, primarily as a nickel cornerback. Additionally, he finished with a 70.1 grade (good), according to PFF.

He’ll now look for a fresh start after several productive years with the Wisconsin football program. Engram should be an appealing target on the transfer market because of his versatility.

UW RBs Took a Beating Last Season

Wisconsin football made life on its running backs incredibly difficult in 2022.

Wisconsin and Iowa did not put their RBs in the best position to be successful last season. pic.twitter.com/RN5HMlCbYM

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) January 19, 2023

Per CFB Film Room, Chez Mellusi and Braleon Allen each saw a stacked box of 7+ defenders on over 80% of their rushing attempts last season.

With the offseason addition of Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin football has a legitimate dual-threat QB capable of running Phil Longo’s air raid offense.

Because UW has a mobile QB under center, the mere threat of running will keep defenses honest and will open up running lanes for UW’s talented backfield as a result.

Something special is brewing in Madison. Stay tuned.

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