FootBall

Wisconsin Football Spring Roster Updates, Important Recruiting Miss, More

Published

3 months ago

March 23, 2023

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

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 Badgers Spring Roster Changes

Wisconsin football spring practice is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to overreact to the roster release and the updated heights and weights that come with it.

If you didn’t already know, the only position changes of note are Jackson Acker going from fullback to running back, Riley Nowakowski going from fullback to tight end, and Cade Yacamelli switching from safety to running back.

There will also be no fullback in UW’s overhauled offense, which I find deeply offensive, but perhaps it’s for the best.

Some notable weight changes:

OLB Kaden Johnson (+18) to 248

OLB/DE? TJ Bollers (+17) to 268
ILB Maema Njongmeta (+11) to 240
ILB Jordan Turner (+10) to 235

DL Darian Varner (+13) to 278to 190
S Travian Blaylock (+10) to 208
TE Jack Pugh (+16) to 252

TE JT Seagreaves (+10) to 234
WR Chris Brooks Jr (+10) to 225

Everything is speculation until the Badgers take the field, but it’s certainly interesting that the linebackers all seemingly packed on some serious weight.

One could reasonably assume that TJ Bollers might be transitioning into more of a hybrid role that moves him to defensive end.

Wisconsin Football Misses on 4-Star Running Back

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football program received some rare disappointing news on the recruiting front.

2024 four-star running back Jordan Marshall out of Cincinnati, Ohio, who had the Badgers listed in his top four schools, committed to the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday evening.

“First of all, I just want to thank my mom and dad, family, friends, and the Moeller Community For supporting me,” Marshall wrote on Twitter. “With that being said…I Will be Committing to the University of Michigan. #GoBlue.”

First of all, I just want to thank my mom and dad, family, friends, and the Moeller Community For supporting me. With that being said…I Will be Committing to the University of Michigan 💙💛 #GoBlue @CoachMarkElder @MHart2032 @Coach_SMoore @coachclink pic.twitter.com/M0pmKWYpg6

— Jordan Marshall (@J_MARSH2024) March 21, 2023

As a junior, Marshall rushed for 1,951 yards and 30 touchdowns in addition to catching 19 passes for 364 yards and four more scores en route to becoming the Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio.

Although it was unlikely Wisconsin would beat out Ohio State, Michigan, and Tennesee, it was great to see UW in the thick of a recruiting battle for one of the nation’s top talents.

UW expects to take two running backs in the 2024 recruiting class and is still in a good position with in-state talent Corey Smith and recently scheduled a visit with Darrion Dupree for April, who is also high on their board.

Other Wisconsin Football News

Wisconsin’s offensive scheme this fall will look entirely different, partly because of his air raid system and also because UW plans to go no-huddle under Phil Longo, which is a significant change for the Badgers.

The goal is for Wisconsin’s offense to control the game’s tempo better by receiving their signals from the sidelines because it puts pressure on opposing defenses and puts them in uncomfortable personnel groupings where they can capitalize.

Going no-huddle puts additional pressure on the Badgers quarterback room, made up of transfer portal additions, because they’ll need to be knowledgeable of the playbook and become strong communicators to keep everyone on the same page.

“We’re used to utilizing every single one of those 40 seconds you get between plays,” Tanor Bortolini told reporters. “So for us, getting lined up at 20 (seconds on the play clock), it’s gonna be like the end of the game, two-minute drill, the whole game. I think it’ll take a little while to adjust to, but over time we’ll adapt and be just fine. And it’s exciting to kind of have that on your side compared to the past.”

I, for one, can’t wait to see how the offense comes together this spring. It’s a new era of Wisconsin football, and as Michael Jordan would say, the ceiling is the roof.

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

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.

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.

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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

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

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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

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.