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Wisconsin Football Depth Chart Prediction: Offensive Line

By Steven Tondi

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25 (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Left Tackle: Cole Van Lanen

It seems very likely that Michael Deiter will be moved back to his more natural guard position this year.  If this does occur it will most likely open the door for Cole Van Lanen to make his starting debut.  Van Lanen showed promise last year during mop-up duty and as an extra tight end and blocker in jumbo sets.

The redshirt sophomore earned first-team reps during spring practice and appeared to be handling the position very well.  If Van Lanen has a strong fall camp he could solidify himself as the starting left tackle for three years and allow offensive line coach Joe Rudolph to be creative with his starting offensive line.

The former four-star recruit (per 247Sports, Rivals) will have to prove that he is worthy of the starting left tackle position.  There are plenty of other linemen on the roster who will push Van Lanen for playing time.  Redshirt junior David Moorman and redshirt sophomore Patrick Kasl will look to contribute at both tackle positions.  Kasl more than held his own in last year’s Orange Bowl against Miami’s quick, athletic edge rushers when David Edwards went down with an injury.  It is too early to tell, but it seems that Van Lanen is the front-runner going into fall camp.