Wisconsin Football: 3 Notable Storylines Emerging in Spring Practice

Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice is in full force. The Badgers are already halfway finished with the spring portion and will then have the summer off before fall camp begins in August.

Second-year head coach Luke Fickell and his staff are looking to build on a 7-6 opening season record in 2023. With the expansion of the Big Ten, the Badgers schedule only gets more challenging.

Throughout the spring practices, here are the three Wisconsin football storylines worth talking about to this point.

Wisconsin Football QB Competition Could Continue Into the Fall

When Wisconsin football brought in Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, the feeling was he would be the unquestioned starter in 2024. Van Dyke was a starter the last three seasons and has 54 career touchdown passes. He brings in a ton of experience under his belt.

Throughout the spring, we have seen on social media from media members at practice that Brayden Locke is having another fantastic spring. Locke appeared in five games last season and made three starts. The feeling now is that there could be a fall camp QB competition between the redshirt senior Van Dyke and redshirt sophomore Locke.

Wisconsin Football Improved Significantly at Linebacker

Observations from #Badgers practice 6 coming later, but quick thoughts.

-A very impressive day from WR Trech K. Catches all over field
-John Pius dominated, especially the No. 2 OL
-Tyler Van Dyke led good RZ period near end of day
-Still waiting for a TE to show something

— Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) April 11, 2024

From what I have seen on social media, the story of fall camp has been the dominance of the linebacker group. Wisconsin football brought in players like Tackett Curtis, John Pius, Leon Lowry, and Sebastian Cheeks, in addition to current players like Jake Chaney, Darryl Peterson, and Christian Alliegro.

In particular, Pius and Lowry have been disruptive in most practices in one way or another, according to media members in attendance. This is a loaded position group where we could see as many as seven Wisconsin football linebackers appear in games consistently this season.

Who Emerges as the Badgers No. 3 Running Back?

Saw some big holes in the running game at times today. Transfer Tawee Walker continues to impress with his burst. #Badgers

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 16, 2024

It’s clear the running back duo for the Badgers this year will be seniors Chez Mellusi and Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker. Walker appears to be having a good spring so far.

What could be a battle is the third running back position. We have normally seen three running backs log carries consistently. Players like Cade Yacamelli and Nate White have shown flashes recently that they could be ready to contribute. Jackson Acker was productive for the Wisconsin football team last season, too, and will look to hold down the third running back position. Also, consider that Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones arrive this summer.

This may not get resolved until the season begins.

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