The Badgers completed day 5 of fall camp and the first day in full pads yesterday. With six practices to go and three weeks until the season opener at Lambeau Field against LSU, the Badgers have been perfecting their high-caliber defense under new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox while the quarterback competition still remains a top focus for Wisconsin fans.
Click here for photos from Friday’s practice.
Several players were out or limited at practice due to injury. Running back Clement was limited with a hamstring injury. The following players were out for practice: linebacker T.J. Edwards (foot), offensive lineman Jon Dietzen (head), offensive lineman George Panos (shoulder) and safety Keelon Brookins (groin).
Starting right guard Beau Benzschawel also was reported to leave practice with a potential shoulder injury, which is not yet confirmed.
As for the quarterback battle, Alex Hornibrook excelled during Friday’s practice when compared with Bart Houston. Hornibrook completed 10 of 14 passes while Houston completed 7 of 18 passes with an interception to safety Leo Musso. Both quarterbacks completed two touchdowns during practice.
The Wisconsin defense has been playing exceptionally well with the transition from former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to Justin Wilcox. The Badgers also added the former Badger and All-American who played 10 years in the NFL, Jim Leonhard, as Badgers defensive backs coach. Despite the new additions to the Badgers coaching staff, the same high-quality defense is expected going into the 2016-2017 season.
Junior safety D’Cota Dixon said both coaches have been great inspirations and motivators for the Wisconsin defense.
“Jim Leonhard is a great coach, a really great guy,” Dixon said. “He has a lot of experience in the NFL, so having a guy like that on your side helps a lot. He’s taught be about just being smart, being a smarter football player, learning the defense, mastering the defense.”
“Coach Wilcox is a good guy too,” Dixon continued about his defensive coordinator. “He’s a big guy on why you are doing what you are doing. That’s really helped me improve. I respect Coach Wilcox.”
The Badgers will have to replace both former starting safeties Michael Caputo and Tanner McEvoy. Musso and Dixon are expected to earn the starting roles, although Dixon doesn’t want to jump to any conclusions.
“The best man gets the job,” Dixon explained. “That’s all it is. Obviously you want to put the best guy on the field to help your team in a situation, and that’s what we’re doing here.”
In order to achieve a starting role on the Badgers defense, Dixon hopes to maintain his health this year after struggling in previous seasons due to injury.
The Wisconsin linebackers were also an energetic bunch after Friday’s practice. Despite the loss of inside linebacker T.J. Edwards for the time being with a foot injury, the group remains confident in their abilities to work together on and off the field.
Outside linebacker, T.J. Watt who is expected to replace All-American Joe Schobert opposite senior Vince Biegel, was excited to be out in full pads on Friday.
“I’m more of a full pads guy,” Biegel said of Friday’s practice. “We ran a couple live circuits, and that’s what I thrive in.”
Watt expects to take on a greater leadership role this season with his increased role in the defense.
“I just hope to gain respect from the guys and be someone that they can look to in hard times, mid-camp maybe,” Watt said. “When they’re not feeling like working, they can see me working really hard and maybe get a second wind.”
Another linebacker who will have an increased role this season is junior Jack Cichy, who is earning more reps along with linebacker Chris Orr due to the absence of Edwards.
“It was touch, but he wouldn’t want us to miss a beat,” Cichy said of Edwards’ current injury. “He wouldn’t want us to sulk for him. We are moving forward. We are making some great strides. Me and Chris are getting more chemistry inside. We are more relatable inside, and we are able to play off each other better.”
Cichy talked a lot about the linebacking corps great energy together, all while teammate Chris Orr joked around in the background during the interview.
“We have a great relationship off the field,” he said. “I think the big thing in this camp is being able to create that on the field. The more chemistry we can build, the more comfortable we can be with each other, the better off we’ll be able to play off each other in practice and in games.”