Wisconsin Football Post Spring Practice Defensive Depth Chart Predictions

Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin football just wrapped up spring practice, and I can confidently say the Badgers will be more multiple on defense this season when they march onto the field at Camp Randall Stadium on September 2 against Buffalo — doing plenty of pre-snap movement to confuse opponents. 

After taking over in late November, Luke Fickell brought defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, the reigning AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, from Cincinnati to run the show. 

He’s been working this spring to mesh Leonhard’s 3-4 defense with his 3-3-5 system, which the Bearcats played 66.3% of its snaps last season, to accentuate the personnel’s strengths and put the best product on the field next season.

With that in mind, here is my prediction of the Wisconsin football program’s defensive depth chart heading into the off-season/fall camp. 

Wisconsin Football Defensive Two-Deep Predictions

Apr 11, 2023; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin defensive end Rodas Johnson (56) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive End 

Starter: Rodas Johnson (RS SR)

Backup: Darian Varner (RS JR)

Nose Tackle 

Starter: Gio Paez (RS SR)

Backup: Curt Neal (RS FR)

Defensive End 

Starter: Isaiah Mullens (RS SR)

Backup: James Thompson Jr. (RS JR)

Outside Linebacker 

Starter: Darryl Peterson (RS JR)

Backup: TJ Bollers (RS SO)

Middle Linebacker 

Starter: Maema Njongmeta (RS SR)

Backup: Jake Chaney (JR)

Middle Linebacker 

Starter: Jordan Turner (RS JR)

Backup: Tatum Grass (RS SR)

Outside Linebacker 

Starter: C.J. Goetz (RS SR)

Backup: Jeff Pietrowski (RS JR)

Wisconsin Football Secondary 

Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler (24) is shown during the first quarter of their game Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. 

Cornerback 

Starter: Alexander Smith (RS SR)

Backup: Jonas Duclona (Fr)

Cornerback 

Starter: Ricardo Hallman (RS SO)

Backup: Jace Arnold (FR)

Slot Corner 

Starter: Jason Maitre (RS SR)

Backup: Max Lofy (RS JR)

Safety

Starter: Hunter Wohler (JR)

Backup: Austin Brown (SO)

Safety 

Starter: Travian Blaylock (RS SR)

Backup: Kamo’i Latu (SR)

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