Ranking Wisconsin’s position groups: Why DBs come out on top

MADISON, Wis. — If Wisconsin’s first season under Luke Fickell demonstrated anything, it’s that transitions can take time. And, after a 7-6 season with a bowl game loss to LSU, the Badgers showed they had a long way to go. To make up ground in an expanded Big Ten, Wisconsin will need to be better at all positions.

With that in mind, and with preseason practices less than two months away, let’s examine Wisconsin’s returning production and talent level to help assess the strongest position groups.

Returning production:

1. Defensive back: 81.8 percent of tackles
2. Wide receiver: 72.3 percent of receiving yards
3. Offensive line: 61.5 percent of starts
4. Defensive line: 54.8 percent of tackles
5. Tight end: 53.3 percent of receiving yards
6. Running back: 44.7 percent of rushing yards
7. Inside linebacker: 44.3 percent of tackles
8. Outside linebacker: 36.7 percent of tackles
9. Quarterback: 27.3 percent of passing yards

Positional recruiting rating average:

Note: Transfer ratings used instead of high school ratings for players out of the portal

1. Offensive line: .9091 247Sports Composite (average of 3.5 stars) — 14 players
2. Outside linebacker: 0.8875 (3.5) — 6 players
3. Quarterback: 0.8834 (3.5) — 4 players
4. Defensive back: 0.8802 (3.29) — 17 players
5. Running back: 0.8770 (3.25) — 8 players
6. Inside linebacker: 0.8770 (3.14) — 7 players
7. Tight end: 0.8728 (3.2) — 5 players
8. Wide receiver: 0.8720 (3.1) — 10 players
9. Defensive line: 0.8706 (3.2) — 10 players

Wisconsin’s offensive line has rated as the most talented group on paper for several years now. A big reason for the top billing entering the 2024 season is the fact that seven former four-star players are on the roster. As we’ve seen, however, that doesn’t always equate to on-field production. Recruiting rankings don’t include former walk-ons now on scholarship (tight end Riley Nowakowski and wide receiver Haakon Anderson) because they didn’t earn a 247Sports Composite score

What follows is a subjective ranking of the strongest position groups that takes into account talent and returning production but also factors in the potential ceiling for each unit and how it could impact the Badgers.

1. Defensive back

Returning production: 1st | Talent level: 4th

Notable departures: Alexander Smith, Jason Maitre, Michael Mack, A.J. Tisdell, Travian Blaylock

Key returnees: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, Max Lofy, Jonas Duclona, Justin Taylor, Amare Snowden, Jace Arnold, Hunter Wohler, Preston Zachman, Kamo’i Latu, Austin Brown, Braedyn Moore

New arrivals: RJ Delancy III, Xavier Lucas, Omillio Agard, Jay Harper, Raphael Dunn

Wisconsin lost nickel corner Jason Maitre but otherwise returns loads of production at cornerback and safety, which should make this one of the strongest groups on the team. Cornerback Ricardo Hallman is coming off a junior season in which he tallied seven interceptions, the most by a Wisconsin player in 16 years. He’ll likely pair on the outside with Nyzier Fourqurean, whom Fickell called perhaps the most improved player from last year. Either Austin Brown or Max Lofy is a capable starter in the slot.

At safety, Hunter Wohler returns after leading all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 tackles. Wisconsin has options to pair with him, including Brown, Kamo’i Latu and Preston Zachman. More impact plays from the secondary will be key. While Hallman had seven picks, the rest of the secondary recorded five last season.

2. Outside linebacker

Returning production: 8th | Talent level: 2nd

Notable departures: C.J. Goetz, Jeff Pietrowski, Kaden Johnson, Jordan Mayer

Key returnees: Darryl Peterson, Aaron Witt

New arrivals: John Pius, Leon Lowery, Thomas Heiberger, Anelu Lafaele

Wisconsin coaches stressed the importance of adding length and athleticism this offseason. The Badgers did that by snagging John Pius and Leon Lowery from the transfer portal. Both players were menaces off the edge throughout the spring, creating optimism that Wisconsin can be more disruptive in the backfield. Darryl Peterson, the most experienced returner at the position, had a great spring and produced multiple sacks during the team’s spring scrimmage.

If Aaron Witt can remain healthy, which he has not been able to do during his college career, he could give Wisconsin a nice fourth option. Thomas Heiberger and Anelu Lafaele, both freshmen who enrolled early, showed impact potential against the reserves during the spring.

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3. Offensive line

Returning production: 3rd | Talent level: 1st

Notable departures: Tanor Bortolini, Michael Furtney, Trey Wedig, Nolan Rucci

Key returnees: Jake Renfro, Joe Huber, Jack Nelson, Riley Mahlman, Joe Brunner, JP Benzschawel, James Durand

New arrivals: Leyton Nelson, Joey Okla, Emerson Mandell, Kevin Heywood, Derek Jensen, Ryan Cory, Colin Cubberly

Wisconsin returns significant experience with Jack Nelson, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber and Riley Mahlman, who have combined to play 6,718 college snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Joe Brunner, who has played just 45 career snaps, is projected as the other starter but looked like a veteran during spring practices.

The backup spots are of greater concern for the Badgers because of limited playing experience there. However, Wisconsin brought in plenty of talent in a five-man freshman class and shored up depth by adding Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson, as well as walk-on Joey Okla.

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4. Inside linebacker

Returning production: 7th | Talent level: 6th

Notable departures: Maema Njongmeta, Jordan Turner, Tatum Grass, Bryan Sanborn, Aidan Vaughan,

Key returnees: Jake Chaney, Christian Alliegro, Tyler Jansey

New arrivals: Jaheim Thomas, Tackett Curtis, Sebastian Cheeks, Landon Gauthier

Wisconsin remade its inside linebacker room through some critical transfer portal pickups, most notably Jaheim Thomas (Arkansas) and Tackett Curtis (USC). There is optimism that the Badgers now have players who better fit the scheme that defensive coordinator Mike Tressel wants.

Most interesting was that returning players Jake Chaney and Christian Alliegro held down first-team roles during the spring. But Curtis was sidelined due to injury, and Thomas will be a big part of the plan, either as a starter or rotational piece.

Chez Mellusi is back from injury to be Wisconsin’s No. 1 tailback. (Jeff Hanisch / USA Today)

5. Running back

Returning production: 6th | Talent level: 5th

Notable departures: Braelon Allen

Key returnees: Chez Mellusi, Jackson Acker, Cade Yacamelli, Nate White

New arrivals: Tawee Walker, Darrion Dupree, Dilin Jones, Gideon Ituka

There is a lot to like about Wisconsin’s running back room with Chez Mellusi back for a sixth season and all the new additions capable of being impact playmakers. In retrospect, Mellusi was underrated as a transfer from Clemson (he was given a .8300 composite ranking). When healthy, Mellusi is a strong fit for the system offensive coordinator Phil Longo wants to run. Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker was one of the more impressive portal players during the spring. Plus, we have yet to see what incoming four-star running backs Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree can do in preseason practices.

One best-case scenario at the position is that Mellusi remains healthy and becomes a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time, with Walker and perhaps one of the freshmen serving as key contributors. That would help to bridge the gap for the future when Mellusi and Walker use up their eligibility after the season.

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6. Wide receiver

Returning production: 2nd | Talent level: 8th

Notable departures: Chimere Dike, Skyler Bell, Tommy McIntosh

Key returnees: Bryson Green, Will Pauling, CJ Williams, Vinny Anthony II, Quincy Burroughs, Chris Brooks Jr., Trech Kekahuna

New arrivals: Joseph Griffin Jr., Tyrell Henry, Kyan Berry-Johnson

How does Wisconsin turn the potential with this group into more consistent productivity? That’s the challenge first-year Badgers receivers coach Kenny Guiton faces. Will Pauling was exceptional last season from the slot, leading the team in catches (74), receiving yards (837) and touchdown receptions (six). Bryson Green ranked second in receiving yards (480) and touchdown catches (two), but it felt as though he should have achieved more.

There is a hole Wisconsin is looking to fill as it attempts to find another big-play threat on the outside. Perhaps it’s a role Boston College transfer Joseph Griffin Jr. can occupy after he averaged 13.8 yards per catch last season. Vinny Anthony, CJ Williams and Quincy Burroughs all showed flashes during the spring. Trech Kekahuna looks like the next breakout star from the slot.

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7. Quarterback

Returning production: 9th | Talent level: 3rd

Notable departures: Tanner Mordecai, Myles Burkett, Nick Evers

Key returnees: Braedyn Locke, Cole LaCrue

New arrivals: Tyler Van Dyke, Mabrey Mettauer

For as good as Tyler Van Dyke looked during stretches in the second half of spring practices, nothing is likely to quell skepticism until he wins games on the field. Van Dyke has experienced great highs in his college career, such as winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. He’s also been benched for poor play on multiple occasions and battled injuries while finishing 15-13 as a starter at Miami.

Longo said after the team’s spring scrimmage that he felt he had two capable quarterbacks with Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke. Although Longo didn’t name a starter out of the spring, it feels like a decent bet that Van Dyke will win out ahead of Locke. If Van Dyke can recapture the form he showed earlier in his career, then Wisconsin’s offense has a chance to make great gains in Year 2 of a new system.

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8. Tight end

Returning production: 5th | Talent level: 7th

Notable departures: Hayden Rucci

Key returnees: Riley Nowakowski, Tucker Ashcraft, JT Seagreaves

New arrivals: Jackson McGohan, Grant Stec, Rob Booker II

The jury is still out on whether Wisconsin’s tight ends will be more impactful this season. Hayden Rucci led the position with 11 catches for 125 yards last season. Riley Nowakowski and Tucker Ashcraft both have the potential to eclipse those marks. Ashcraft was thrown into the fire as a freshman because of a depth shortage, which included an early foot injury to Nowakowski. That year should have him better prepared.

Tight ends coach Nate Letton said he wants to put his players in situations to win 1-on-1 matchups by taking advantage of their various skill sets. Nowakowski is more of a bruiser and Ashcraft a combination player, while LSU transfer Jackson McGohan showcased his athleticism and pass-catching ability during the spring.

9. Defensive line

Returning production: 4th | Talent level: 9th

Notable departures: Rodas Johnson, Gio Paez, Darian Varner, T.J. Bollers, Mike Jarvis

Key returnees: James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Cade McDonald, Jamel Howard

New arrivals: Elijah Hills, Brandon Lane, Ernest Willor Jr., Dillan Johnson, Hank Weber

Defensive line may be the biggest question mark entering the season in terms of what Wisconsin will get out of the group. James Thompson Jr. is the most proven commodity, having played in 40 career games with 18 starts. Curt Neal (13 tackles) and Ben Barten (12 tackles) also will earn significant snaps.

Wisconsin desperately needed help from the portal this spring and was able to add Stephen F. Austin’s Brandon Lane. He’ll have to prove he is ready to contribute from a lower level. FCS transfer Elijah Hills, who arrived via Albany, closed the spring as a second-teamer alongside Cade McDonald. Wisconsin has three scholarship freshmen on the roster, though playing right away on the D-line in the Big Ten represents a significant challenge.

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(Top photo of Ricardo Hallman: Robert Goddin / USA Today)