FootBall

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

Published

5 months ago

January 19, 2023

Bucky Badger does 65 pushups in front of the crowd during the University of Wisconsin 68-17 football game win over Bowling Green at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COM Ugrid21 38ofx Spt Wood

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.

Contact Info

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.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to Locked on Badgers on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the only daily Wisconsin Badgers podcast on the internet.

Up Next

Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh Has Stones

Don't Miss

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

Click to comment

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.

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 Jake Maier on Twitter @JakeJMaier.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to Locked on Badgers on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts. The only daily Wisconsin Badgers podcast on the internet.

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.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to Locked on Badgers on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the only daily Wisconsin Badgers podcast on the internet.

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.