Wisconsin Football: Top Five Position Battles in Fall Camp

#4 – Free Safety

Wisconsin has the luxury of returning one of the nation’s top safeties in senior D’Cota Dixon. The senior is one of the most valuable players on the team due to his outstanding play and the leadership presence he provides.

However, the Badgers will be without the services of Dixon’s talented running mate on the first team last season at free safety. Natrell Jamerson was a team leader and one of the Big Ten’s best safeties in 2017 as a senior but is now suiting up for the New Orleans Saints.

Joe Ferguson was another impact player at safety on last season’s defense and had a knack for making big plays on the ball, but he too has exhausted his eligibility.

Those losses sting, especially since the Badgers will be breaking in new starters at both cornerback spots as well. That being said, the candidates in the mix to start alongside Dixon, though young and inexperienced, also happen to possess considerable talent and upside.

The play of the secondary will be crucial to Wisconsin’s success this season. The new cornerbacks need one of these players to step up at free safety and provide reliable support down the field.

The contenders

Patrick Johnson

Johnson was poised to become an impact player in 2017 but ended up dealing with injuries that prevented him from seeing many snaps. Ultimately, he suffered a season-ending arm injury after just four games.

He had established himself as one of the more promising young players on the roster during his freshman season when he proved to be a valuable contributor on special teams and played in 13 games.

Had Johnson not been injured last season, there’s a good chance he would’ve gained enough experience to solidify himself as the top contender to start alongside Dixon in 2018. He now finds himself in a tight battle for that job as he looks to put last season’s disappointing outcome behind him.

Even if he doesn’t start, Johnson is still likely to see extensive action this season as a reserve.

Scott Nelson

Nelson may be the favorite to start Week 1 against Western Kentucky at the moment.

Though he redshirted last season, Nelson showed a great deal of promise throughout his first year in the program. He clearly impressed the coaching staff, who named him the co-defensive player of the year on the scout team, along with linebacker Griffin Grady.

What may give him a leg up on Johnson in this battle is the way he fits alongside Dixon, who thrives at playing in the box and providing run support. Nelson is a long safety at 6’2 and may provide the best over the top support to Dixon in the passing game.

A somewhat useful comparison may be former Badger safety and current Seattle Seahawk wide receiver Tanner McEvoy, another tall, lengthy safety who was highly valued for his ability to cover extensive ground in the secondary.

Also in the mix: Seth Currens, Eric Burrell, and Reggie Pearson