FootBall

Wisconsin Football News, Notes from Days Two and Three of Spring Ball

Published

2 months ago

March 30, 2023

The Wisconsin football program has begun its spring practices. After a quick first day last week, the Badgers have completed two practices this week.

Here’s a quick recap of storylines and observations from days two and three of The Launch.

Badger’s safeties stand out on day two of spring practice.

Although other position groups, such as quarterback and wide receivers, have garnered the most attention, UW’s safeties have shown out early in the spring.

The Badgers used a 2-3-6 defense on Tuesday, with Kamo’i Latu, Hunter Wohler, and Travion Blaylock taking the starting reps. The alignment was a change from the first day of spring practice, where UW ran a 2-4-5 defensive package.

BadgersExtra reporter Colten Bartholomew noted Hunter Wohler’s exceptional play on Tuesday, as he intercepted Tanner Mordecai on a short pass over the middle before returning it to the endzone.

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has stated that he wants to blend his style of defense with the style Wisconsin is used to. In the 2-3-6 defense, the Badgers put a spin on the dime package, which will be something to keep an eye on as Wisconsin figures out its defensive strategy.

Cade Yacamelli stands out as a top RB3 option

Heading into 2023, the Badgers will have their running back duo of Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi returning. As spring practice began, a big question would be who would fill in the third-string running back role. After multiple days of practice, Cade Yacamelli is starting to stand out.

Yacamelli, a redshirt freshman, made the change to offense after spending last season as a safety. It seems to be the right move, as he’s continued to impress early.

Quick thoughts on #Badgers third spring practice:

-OL got going, in part because shoulder pads were on for first time
-Mordecai with his best day so far
-Young corners like Duclona and Arnold show promise
-Yacamelli starting to separate as RB3

— Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) March 30, 2023

Jackson Acker is another option for the RB3 spot, but it seems that Yacamelli has taken the lead in the position battle. Still, the running back competition will be one to watch as spring ball continues.

Wide receivers are making good impressions early for the Wisconsin football program

After a slew of additions through the transfer portal, the wide receiver corps was a group to watch during spring ball. After days two and three, plenty of pass catchers are making their mark.

Zach Heilprin noted Cincinnati transfer Will Pauling has been impressive early. He has started taking first-team reps and looks like an excellent slot receiver option.

WR Will Pauling also continues to impress. Had another pretty over the shoulder grab for a would-be touchdown. He’s been working in the slot and got some reps with the first-team offense today for the first time.

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) March 30, 2023

Pauling wasn’t the only receiver who impressed, as Chris Brooks Jr. has started to garner some attention. On day one of practice, Brooks hauled a jump ball on a throw from Nick Evers. Then, on day three, the 6-foot-2, 255-pound receiver hauled in another contested catch to add to his impressive play.

UW has no shortage of talent at wide receiver. It’s still very early in spring, so other receivers will make their presence known as practices continue. The pass catchers will continue to be a group to watch as we approach the 2023 season.

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FB Recruiting

Breaking Down the Wisconsin Badgers Newest 2024 Defensive Line Commit

Published

2 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Dillon Graff

Wisconsin Football defensive line commit Hank Weber

Wisconsin Football Lands Commitment From 2024 DL Hank Weber

Madison, Wis. — In need of a serious revamping of the defensive line, the Wisconsin football coaching staff knew these next couple of weekends would be huge for the future of the defense.

The first domino of that DL revamp fell on Monday when the Badgers received a verbal commitment from 2024 three-star defensive lineman Hank Weber out of Brentwood, Tennesee, following an official visit to Madison this past weekend.

Pumped to Jump Around for the next 4 years!! 🦡 #committed #OnWisconsin @BadgerFootball @CoachFick @G_Scruggs @CoachMikeTress @_maximus347 @PatLambert13 @theBAFootball pic.twitter.com/XAtFwLUKSA

— hank weber (@hankweber8) June 5, 2023

According to 247Sports, Weber is the No. 99 DL in the country and the No. 37 player in Tennessee. The three-star recruit chose Wisconsin over offers from North Carolina, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Purdue, Virginia Tech, and several others.

“Wisconsin had everything that I was looking for in a college and program,” Weber said. “The defense that coach Mike Tressel runs was appealing because of how aggressive it is. And I’ve been told that coach Fickell sometimes likes to lead the defensive line meetings. That was a huge deal for me.”

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive prospect is Greg Scruggs’ first commit in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Scouting Report

Hank Weber is, by my evaluation, a solid but unspectacular prospect. That’s not to say I’m writing him off, though.

Although his pad level and ability to get off the ball were underwhelming, his pursuit and technique after the snap stood out. There is an undeniable blend of length and power as a pass-rusher that you love to see, and he strikes me as the type of assignment-sound player that could develop into a reliable starter with some time to fill out his frame.

One thing I love about Weber is that he also plays offensive line, so he’s got a tenacity and motor about him that is a must-have in a defensive line prospect.

Overall, I think Weber was a solid get, and for a re-tooling defensive line, he’s a solid start to what should be a large class of recruits at the position. I’ll like this commit even better if he’s paired with someone that has more pass-rushing upside.

The Impact of Hank Weber Joining the Wisconsin Football Program

Vernon Woodward is commitment No. 10 for the Wisconsin football program in the 2024 recruiting cycle, joining Mabrey Mettauer, Grant Stec, Robert Booker, Derek Jensen, Thomas Heiberger, Landon Gauthier, Kyan Berry-Johnson, Kahmir Prescott, and Vernon Woodward.

With his addition, UW now has the No. 21 recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports.

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.

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FB Recruiting

Wisconsin Football Adds Australian Punter, New 2024 Commit, More

Published

5 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Dillon Graff

Sep 3, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Camp Randall Stadium prior to the game between the Illinois State Redbirds and Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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 Badgers news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Badgers Address Their Special Teams Need

Exiting spring practice, Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell voiced his concern about the Badgers’ punting situation.

“I’m a little bit concerned we’ve got to figure some things out probably in the punting situation,” Fickell said after the final spring practice. “I know it’s a tougher time, but we don’t get outside nearly as much to see those guys have an opportunity to punt the ball and for us to return it as well.”

Thankfully, that issue was addressed with Wisconsin landing a commitment from Atticus Bertrams, a native of Melbourne, Australia, who will be on scholarship in 2023.

I am proud to announce that I have committed to a full scholarship to study and play football at The University of Wisconsin

Thank you to @ProkickAus @JohnnyPKA @tglees @ConquestAthlete as well as @CoachFick and the staff at @BadgerFootball for this opportunity pic.twitter.com/g8wQQg4KzF

— Atticus Bertrams (@BertramsAtticus) May 27, 2023

Bertrams had previously committed to USC in 2021 but didn’t enroll. Instead, he spent his time training at Prokick, an academy in Australia that has produced six Ray Guy Award-winning punters.

Victoria 6.0 feat @BertramsAtticus

1. Hang time: 5.1, Dist: 48 yards
2. Hang time: 5.1, Dist: 52 yards
3. Hang time: 4.9, Dist: 52 yards pic.twitter.com/QNX4ZHrbyc

— Oliver Straw (@Ollie_Straw) August 8, 2021

He immediately slots in as Wisconsin’s top punter ahead of Jack Van Dyke and Gavin Meyers, who left something to be desired during spring practice. Bertrams has some big shoes to fill following the departure of Andy Vujnovich.

Wisconsin Football Lands Commitment From 3-Star Florida CB

Following an official visit to Madison, the Wisconsin football coaching staff added their first cornerback prospect of the 2024 cycle in three-star cornerback Vernon Woodward, out of Winter Park, Florida.

Wisconsin we home 🦡🔴🔥!!! @CoachFick @Haynes_Badgers @PatLambert13 #committed #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/mW0p2l97pI

— Vernon Woodward iii ⭐️ (@_vern1) June 4, 2023

According to the industry-generated composite rankings, he is the No. 74 cornerback in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 128 player in Florida.

Woodward chose UW over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Illinois, Cincinnati, Missouri, Purdue, UCF, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and several others.

As a junior, the 6-foot-2 cornerback registered 57 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. But perhaps the most telling stat from Woodward’s junior season is that he was targeted only twice all year, which speaks volumes about his ability to blanket WRs at that level.

You can watch his HUDL film here.

Vernon Woodward is commitment No. 9 for the Wisconsin football program in the 2024 recruiting cycle, joining Mabrey Mettauer, Grant Stec, Robert Booker, Derek Jensen, Thomas Heiberger, Landon Gauthier, Kyan Berry-Johnson, and Kahmir Prescott.

Other Wisconsin Football News

According to a report from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, the Wisconsin football team is adding a senior defensive analyst to the coaching staff.

UW is adding Rhode Island defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jack Cooper as a senior defensive analyst next season after serving in his previous role since 2020. He also served as a quality control coach for Nebraska for two seasons.

Coach Cooper helped lead Rhode Island to a top-50 defensive unit in 2021 and a 7-4 record overall, their highest win total in two decades.

This addition is precisely the kind of coaching hire top-tier programs are making nowadays because they don’t count against the allowed amount of paid assistants. The beauty in adding an experienced coach like Jack Cooper is that you have an internal candidate you’re comfortable with should someone on your staff move on.

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FB Recruiting

Wisconsin Football Kicks off Official Visit Weekend With a Bang

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2023

Dillon Graff

Oct 25, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin logo at midfield of Camp Randall Stadium following the game between the Maryland Terrapins and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin football program kicked off its massive June 2 recruiting weekend with a bang. Following an official visit, the Badgers coaching staff added their first cornerback prospect of the 2024 cycle in three-star cornerback Vernon Woodward, out of Winter Park, Florida.

Wisconsin we home 🦡🔴🔥!!! @CoachFick @Haynes_Badgers @PatLambert13 #committed #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/mW0p2l97pI

— Vernon Woodward iii ⭐️ (@_vern1) June 4, 2023

According to the industry-generated composite rankings, he is the No. 74 cornerback in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 128 player in Florida.

For Woodward, this was his first trip to Madison, and he chose UW over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Illinois, Cincinnati, Missouri, Purdue, UCF, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and several others.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound cornerback is Paul Haynes first commit at the position and got the recruiting assist on Woodward from fellow Florida natives Ricardo Hallman and Jonas Duclona, who hosted him on his visit.

The Skinny

In Vernon Woodward, the Wisconsin football program is getting a big corner with measurables this coaching staff covets above all else. His frame and skillset align well with the type of athlete that Luke Fickell and his staff have successfully developed.

As a junior, he registered 57 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. But perhaps the most telling stat from Woodward’s junior season is that he was targeted only twice all year, which speaks volumes about his ability to blanket WRs at that level.

Woodward’s length is impressive; he has quick feet, dissects plays well, and isn’t afraid to come downhill and tackle. That’s an area that excites me about his game. Getting off blocks and being an asset in the run game should allow him to be a playmaker on UW’s defense.