#5 – Tight End
Troy Fumagalli was an absolute rock at tight end for the Badgers over the last few seasons. He was Alex Hornibrook’s favorite target in the passing game and an excellent blocker. Now suiting up for the Denver Broncos on Sundays, it is going to be very difficult to replace what he brought to this team.
Fumagalli was the definition of a well-rounded tight end. The players looking to replace him have not yet proven themselves to be similarly multi-faceted and excel in different areas, so perhaps the most likely outcome is that this group pools their talents together to replace Fumagalli by committee.
That being said, Paul Chryst would love to see someone emerge from the returning group of tight ends and establish himself as the unquestioned primary option.
The contenders
Zander Neuville
Neuville, a former walk-on, started 11 games last season before missing the final two contests after injuring his leg against Minnesota. He recorded 9 catches for 81 yards and a couple of touchdowns on the year.
Neuville’s biggest impact throughout his career has been in the blocking game. The physicality he plays with sets him apart from Penniston and Ferguson at the moment. Even if Neuville is unable to build on his receiving production, he will still get plenty of snaps in 2018 due to the value he brings to Wisconsin’s blocking schemes.
Kyle Penniston
Penniston saw action in all 14 games last season, starting 8 of them and putting up 7 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in the process.
He was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of powerhouse Mater Dei in California, primarily due to the threat he poses in the passing game. He obviously did not have a big statistical year in 2017, but he showed plenty of flashes of his considerable potential. He is not as skilled a blocker as Neuville at this point, but overall, he could be the most well-rounded tight end on the roster.
Jake Ferguson
Keep a close eye on Ferguson as fall camp moves along. The redshirt freshman was one of the top tight end recruits nationwide in the 2017 recruiting class and is one of the most naturally talented players on the roster. Based on what he showed during his redshirt season and in spring practices, he has the potential to be the next in a long line of great tight ends at Wisconsin.
Chryst is going to get Ferguson onto the field this season, as his athleticism and big-play ability as a receiver are too valuable to leave on the bench. That being said, he has had to put in a ton of work in practice to improve his blocking ability. If he can put it all together, he could establish himself as a top tight end in the Big Ten in 2018.
Also in the mix: Luke Benzschawel