Wisconsin Football Position Battles to Watch For in the Spring Game
By Jim Oxley
Nov 22, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner McEvoy (5) runs for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Wide receivers/tight ends
If quarterback was the weakest position for the Badgers, wide receiver was a close second.
The Badgers really only had one big-time contributor — Alex Erickson. Luckily, he returns for his senior season, but the Badgers will need more if they want to improve on 2014’s passing attack.
Expect to see Jordan Frederick, George Rushing, Robert Wheelwright and Reggie Love be the likely names pushing for playing time.
Oh, and don’t forget about that Tanner McEvoy guy. He’s been taking reps at wide receiver, and excelling in the role. McEvoy is such a talented athlete that even thought the whole quarterback thing didn’t exactly pan out, the Badgers still need to find a way to get the ball in his hands. They’ve chosen the wide receiver route to do so, and it looks like a smart decision.
At tight end, the Badgers need to replace the reliable Sam Arneson, who has graduated and hung up the shoulder pads.
The instant starter should be redshirt sophomore Troy Fumagali, who in a limited role last year played very well. Freshman Kyle Penniston will definitely challenge for playing time, and redshirt senior Austin Traylor brings experience to the group.
Next: Linebackers