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Wisconsin Football: Three questions facing Jim Leonhard

By Steven Tondi

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Ula Tolutau #5 of the BYU Cougars is tackled by Conor Sheehy #94 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Ula Tolutau #5 of the BYU Cougars is tackled by Conor Sheehy #94 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football - Andrew Van Ginkel
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Malik Rosier #12 of the Miami Hurricanes is stopped by Andrew Van Ginkel #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter of the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Who will start opposite of Van Ginkel at outside linebacker?

One thing is for certain, the Norse god of thunder Andrew Van Ginkel will be one of the starting outside linebackers this year.  The long-haired playmaker was an absolute force last year, recording 6.5 sacks and 10 TFLs as a reserve.  And no one can forget his interceptions against Ohio State and Miami last year.  The redshirt senior is due for a breakout season and looks poised to be the next Wisconsin outside linebacker to be drafted.

The certainty at the position ends after Van Ginkel. Just like the line, there are plenty of guys capable of playing, but the starting spot is uncertain.

Candidates

With Van Ginkel penciled in at one starting spot, the other spot looks to be up for grabs.  Redshirt juniors Zack Baun and Tyler Johnson are poised to be the best options for the available spot.  Johnson played in all 14 games last year and proved to Leonhard that he is capable of impacting the game.  He recorded two forced fumbles over the course of the season and consistently applied pressure against Indiana.  Johnson was effective in games against opponents like Illinois and Minnesota, but can Leonhard trust him to produce against the likes of Michigan and Penn State?

Baun was expected to be a contributor on last year’s defense before a foot injury ended his season.  He played a decent amount of snaps in 2016, most notably a solid performance against Ohio State when Vince Biegel was out with an injury.  Baun has the speed and athletic ability to get around tackles at a solid clip.  The biggest competition to Baun at outside linebacker might not be Johnson, it may be trying to stay healthy.  Every time it seems Baun is ready to contribute an injury sidelines him.  Although it was a minor one, Baun did suffer another foot injury this spring.  Only time will tell if Leonhard can count on Baun to be available week after week in an extremely physical Big Ten.

Journeyman senior Arrington Farrar looks to finally make a splash at his new position.  He provides a high level of athletic ability and has bulked up in order to take on offensive linemen.  Redshirt sophomore Christian Bell, an Alabama transfer, has plenty of hype and is looking to put it all together.  Farrar and Bell could contribute in reserve roles.