Ben Kenney
May 18, 2024 6:45 am CT
Wisconsin football exits spring practice with outstanding questions about Year 2 of the Luke Fickell era.
There are clear depth chart decisions to be made, including whether Tyler Van Dyke or Braedyn Locke will start at quarterback, which inside linebacker transfer wins the job and how the crowded wide receiver room will be deployed. But big-picture questions also exist. Those mostly surround where the Badgers stand in the new Big Ten and whether the program can return to its 2016-2019 form.
Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings
Spring practice and fall training camp cannot answer the latter questions. They will exist until the team takes the field in the fall and persist throughout the 2024 campaign. In reality, many will remain entering the 2025 season and beyond.
How the Badgers will line up on the field will be answered soon. We’ve taken a look at the offensive and defensive depth charts after spring practice and the spring portal window — with one or two transfer defensive line commits still outstanding.
As Fickell and his program enter the summer months and continue preparation for the 2024 season, here is our updated ranking of every position group on the roster:
12
Punter*
Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams reviews a play sheet while helping the scout team during practice on Tuesday April 9, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Atticus Bertrams returns for his second season as Wisconsin’s punter after averaging 41.3 yards per punt in 2023. He isn’t quite Tory Taylor, but he also isn’t bad by any means. Badgers fans hope he touches the ball less in 2024.
*Note: Special teams are ranked separately given their unique roles on the team. Punter and kicker are only compared to each other, before the ranking of the rest of the position groups.
11
Kicker*
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; Wisconsin Badgers punter Gavin Meyers (28) holds the ball for Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Nathanial Vakos was terrific in 2023. He went 34 of 34 on extra-point attempts and 15 of 19 on field goals, including 1 of 1 from 1-19 yards, 3 of 3 from 20-29, 7 of 7 from 30-39 and 3 of 4 from 40-49. That’s 14 of 15 from inside of 50 yards, which is rare from a college kicker.
He’s easily Wisconsin’s best specialist entering 2024.
*Note: Special teams are ranked separately given their unique role on the team. Punter and kicker are only compared to each other, before the ranking of the rest of the position groups.
10
Defensive Line
Sept. 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end James Thompson Jr. (90) celebrates after sacking Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Elijah Hills (transfer)
Wisconsin is razor-thin along the defensive line entering 2024. Only James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Elijah Hils and Ben Barten return with any meaningful experience.
The program is actively searching the transfer portal for help at the position. Right now, it’s the weakest group on the team.
9
Tight End
Oct. 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) catches a pass to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Tucker Ashcraft, Riley Nowakowski
It is unclear exactly what Phil Longo is looking for in a tight end. Tucker Ashcraft and Riley Nowakowski are holdovers from the Paul Chryst era and aren’t great fits for the offense. There is a strong group of young talent in the room that could emerge in future seasons.
This group will rise entering 2025 and 2026. Right now, it’s still in a transition from the old roster.
8
Offensive Line
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) goes through a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starters: Jack Nelson, Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber, Riley Mahlman
This attests to how strong Wisconsin is at several key positions. It’s also a reflection of how the group struggled in the first year under Longo, and how it hasn’t been a true strength since 2019.
The good news: there are promising new faces at left guard (Joe Brunner), center (Jake Renfro) and right guard (Joe Huber). That trio with tackles Riley Mahlman and Jack Nelson have a chance to take a big step forward in 2024.
7
Quarterback
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throws a pass as coach Luke Fickell watches during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Tyler Van Dyke (transfer)
Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke will put up numbers in Longo’s offense. But quarterback was still a middle-of-the-road position group in 2023 even with impressive stats — although starter Tanner Mordecai missed time with an injury.
Van Dyke is a good bridge quarterback for another year of transition. But his history in college and lack of NFL interest signals a lack of true top-end talent. We’ll see. Maybe Longo’s offense is just what the veteran needs to unlock his game.
6
Inside Linebacker
Oct. 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) sacks Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Jake Chaney, Jaheim Thomas (transfer)
Wisconsin is extremely deep at the position thanks to a transfer haul of Thomas, Tackett Curtis and Sebastian Cheeks. Sophom*ore Christian Alliegro appears to be battling for a starting spot.
This is another significant position of turnover from Chryst’s roster to Fickell’s. 2023 starters Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner were holdovers. Now the roster is more catered to Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s systems.
5
Outside Linebacker
Nov. 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) reacts after a defensive stop during the first quarter as Iowa Hawkeyes offensive linemen Mason Richman (78) and Logan Jones (65) look on at Kinnick Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Darryl Peterson, John Pius (transfer), Leon Lowery (transfer)
Wisconsin drastically improved its outside linebacker room this offseason. It might be one of the more underrated rooms on the roster entering the season given Pius and Lowery’s track records.
4
Cornerback
Defensive back Ricardo Hallman warms up for spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starters: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, Jonus Duclona, R.J. Delancy (transfer)
Hallman is probably the second-best player on defense after a seven-interception 2023 season. Cornerback has long been a strength under Fickell, 2024 should be no different.
3
Running Back
Sept. 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana; Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (1) runs the ball during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Chez Mellusi, Tawee Walker (transfer)
I’m sky-high on Wisconsin’s running back room entering 2024. Mellusi will be an NFL prospect if he stays healthy, while Walker brings a terrific skill set and impressive experience at Oklahoma. This could be a better 1-2 punch than the Braelon Allen–Chez Mellusi backfields. That is, if both stay healthy.
2
Safety
Nov. 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Hunter Wohler, Kamo’i Latu, Braedyn Moore
This is an easy ranking since Wohler is the best player on the defense. He led the team with 120 tackles in 2023 and could do the same this season.
Next to him there is a solid combination of experience (Latu) and youth (Moore). The room should again be a strength in 2024.
1
Wide Receiver
Oct. 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) grabs a touchdown pass in front of Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Tyler Strain (20) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Will Pauling, C.J. Williams, Bryson Green
This could be the best wide receiver room in the program’s history. Pauling and Green are potential NFL talents and are a great 1-2. Williams and the host of depth, including Trech Kekahuna, Tyrell Henry (transfer) and Joseph Griffin Jr. (transfer), create a deep and talented room.
This position was Fickell and Longo’s biggest focal point after taking over. They’ve done a terrific job reshaping it and have the group set for a massive 2024 season.
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