3 Wisconsin Football Freshmen to Watch for in 2023

The Wisconsin football program‘s 2023 season is just around the corner. 

After an offseason full of changes, UW is bringing in a completely revamped team. From transfer additions to key commitments in the 2023 recruiting cycle, there will be some new contributors all over the field. 

While the transfer additions have been talked about at nauseam, some true freshmen deserve some love. 

Here’s a look at three freshmen who could make an impact this fall. 

Wisconsin Football Freshman Jamel Howard

Jamel Howard, a former three-star prospect, was a late addition to Wisconsin’s 2023 class. The Illinois native was previously committed to UW under the previous regime but announced his de-commitment following the changing of the guard. However, Howard eventually found his way back to Madison on National Signing Day. 

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman is as physical as they come. His strength and explosiveness jump off the screen when looking at his tape, and he shows a knack for driving opposing offensive linemen backward. To put it plainly, Howard is an absolute wrecking ball on the defensive front. 

Wisconsin’s defensive line is thin with talent, especially with Keeanu Benton‘s departure. Howard looks to be Benton’s heir apparent, and if given the opportunity, he could be a playmaker in year one. 

Wisconsin Football Freshman Tucker Ashcraft

While he isn’t one of the most talked about true freshmen, Tucker Ashcraft has the chance to get some reps in his first year. 

The former three-star tight-end prospect was facing a crowded field when he came to Madison. However, following Clay Cundiff and Jake Eschenbach‘s departures, Ashcraft could sneak into the rotation with the thin depth at the position. 

As it stands, Wisconsin has Hayden Rucci, Riley Nowakowski, Jack Pugh, and JT Seagreaves competing in the tight end room. With the unproven talent, getting Ashcraft on the field would be huge for his development. 

I wouldn’t count on Ashcraft carving out a big role for himself this season. However, if he sees the field this year — even in a limited capacity — those reps will be a huge benefit for the Washington native. 

Wisconsin Football Freshman Amare Snowden

There is a wealth of talent at the cornerback position for the Wisconsin football program, especially with some newcomers like Jonas Duclona and Jace Arnold. However, I’d argue that Amare Snowden stands out among the freshmen corners.

The former three-star prospect was an early enrollee who already had the athletic measurables to make an impact. Standing at 6-foot-3, 187-pounds, Snowden is a long cornerback with the frame to be disruptive in the secondary. 

This is just a personal view, so take it for what it’s worth, but I think Snowden has the biggest upside among the true freshmen by a considerable margin. The Michigan native already has the frame, but his tools really flashed on his high school tape. It remains to be seen just how well his skills will translate to the collegiate level, but there is a lot to like in Snowden’s game.

Although he may not see significant playing time in 2023, Snowden could make an impact during his time on the field. If he can tap into his potential, opposing offenses should beware. 

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