Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: X-factors in each position group

By Tanner Nestle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Chris James #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers reaches for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Chris James #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers reaches for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
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) /

Andrew Van Ginkel

I know what Wisconsin is going to get out of T.J. Edwards. He’s going to play like an All-American, be everywhere on defense, play the run and the pass exceptionally well, and earn even more honors and recognition when the season is over. Ryan Connelly will be a menace shooting gaps and blowing up plays in the backfield. The senior led the team in tackles last season and may do it again.

The X-factor in this unit is instead Van Ginkel. I have a pretty good idea of what he can do this year, but his ceiling is incredible. Van Ginkel made two signature plays that swung Wisconsin’s season both times. Against Ohio State, the Badgers were staring at an early deficit. His pick-six turned momentum and made the game competitive. Against Miami, he forced another turnover that kicked off the second quarter and sparked a Wisconsin rally.

He had 6.5 sacks last year, tied for the team lead, and was one of Wisconsin’s best pass rushers. This year he has to be the best pass rusher. If he fulfills his duty and becomes one of the best rushers off the edge in the conference he’ll help answer a huge question for this team.

Pass defenses are dictated by pressure more so than coverage. If the pass rush can be great, led by Van Ginkel, the young secondary will be helped tremendously.