Wisconsin Football: Five team weaknesses for 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 16: Troy Fumagalli (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Lack of dynamic tight ends

Wisconsin has depth at tight end, but it doesn’t have the star its used to seeing bookended on the line. Troy Fumagalli was a great player and helped create big-play opportunities as a blocker and receiver many times for the Badgers. Since he was so good, he was on the field a lot.

Current tight ends Zander Neuville and Kyle Penniston are veterans in Wisconsin’s system but don’t have much experience. They’ll be consistent and make the catches necessary to move the ball down the field. The difference will be the tight end won’t be much of a safety net for Hornibrook in 2018.

Neuville and Penniston will be fine tight ends, they just aren’t going to be able to contribute as well as Wisconsin fans are used to seeing from that position.

Enter Jake Ferguson. The Spring standout and explosive athlete looks like the next coming of legendary Wisconsin tight ends, but his game is still very raw. He will have his moments behind Neuville and Penniston. They just won’t be very frequent unless he shows he has a complete game in fall practice.

Once the Badgers start playing games I could be proven wrong about the tight end position. On paper, it just doesn’t look like it’s going to be one of the strengths of the offense like it has been in the past.