Wisconsin (8-5) concluded the 2018 campaign with a 35-3 victory over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl in a rare down year for the program.
Now, the Badgers head into the offseason taking some much needed time off and gear up for spring ball hoping to make a run at the 2019 Big Ten Championship and do what they couldn’t do this season — stay relevant in the College Football Playoff race.
I’m going to go through my “way too early” projection of the 2019 depth chart.
Quarterback:
1. Jack Coan
2. Alex Hornibrook
A lot of variables at the quarterback going into spring ball. Hornibrook (Head) may not be able to play football again depending how his health is after suffering multiple concussions this season.
They have young talent at the position too. Do they redshirt highly touted Graham Mertz? They also have Danny Vanden Boom and Chase Wolf.
Head Coach Paul Chryst indicated after the Pinstripe Bowl that there would be a competition in spring ball for the starting position.
Running Back:
1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Bradrick Shaw
Fullback:
1. Mason Stokke
2. Quan Easterling
Wide Receiver:
1. Danny Davis
2. Kendric Pryor
1. A.J. Taylor
2. Aron Cruickshank
Wisconsin’s core group stays intact. The group will also get help from freshman Taj Mustapha. The big question lies with Quintez Cephus and how his trial goes, however, I think he’s played his final game as a Badger.
Tight End:
1. Jake Ferguson
2. Kyle Penniston
Ferguson is poised for another big year in 2019 after his breakout campaign in 2018. Whether or not UW gets the blocking needed out of this group remains to be seen.
Offensive Line:
First Team:
RT- David Edwards
RG- Logan Bruss
C- Kayden Lyles
LG- Jon Dietzen
LT- Cole Van Lanen
Second Team:
RT- Tyler Beach
RG- Josh Seltzner
C- Jason Erdmann
LG- David Moorman
LT- Logan Brown
I’m projecting that Tyler Biadasz leaves for the NFL Draft, with Edwards returning. Biadasz is one of the nation’s top rated centers and some have him going in the first round.
Defensive Line:
First Team:
DE- Isaiahh Loudermilk
NG- Bryson Williams
DE- Garrett Rand
Second Team:
DE- Matt Henningsen
NG- Gunnar Roberge
DE- David Pfaff
Getting Rand back will be a huge boost to the defense. There’s still question marks with the second unit and guys like Aaron Vopal and Isaiah Mullens should be in the mix as well. I expect defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield to give a strong look at some of the true freshman coming in.
Linebackers:
First Team:
OLB- Zack Baun
ILB- Chris Orr
ILB- Jack Sanborn
OLB- Christian Bell
Second Team:
OLB- Noah Burks
ILB- Mike Maskalunas
ILB- Griffin Grady
OLB- Tyler Johnson
Wisconsin will lose three of the four starters from 2018, but this year will have experience to fall back on. All four of my projected starters in 2019 played a vital role in 2018.
Cornerback:
1. Rachad Wildgoose Jr.
2. Caesar Williams
1. Faion Hicks
2. Deron Harrell
Nickel:
1. Madison Cone
2. Donte Burton
We saw a very fluid depth chart for most of 2018 with this group. That could continue in 2019 depending on development and growth of the group. The top seven corners return and have just two upperclassmen in Cone and Williams in the group.
Safety:
Free Safety:
1. Scott Nelson
2. Collin Wilder
Strong Safety:
1. Eric Burrell
2. Reggie Pearson Jr.
Nelson had an up and down season in 2018, but I’m projecting he keeps his starting spot and takes the next jump from his freshman season.
Special Teams:
Kicker:
1. Collin Larsh
2. Zach Hintze
Punter:
1. Anthony Lotti
2. Connor Allen
Kick Returner:
1. Aron Cruickshank
2. Kendric Pryor
Punt Returner:
1. Jack Dunn
2. Danny Davis
