Wisconsin Football: X-factors in each position group

Madison Cone

This one was the most difficult to choose. We only just found out who the starters were going to be against Western Kentucky at the cornerback position. Until now, it was anybody’s guess.

I liked Cone a lot before and pulled for him to be one of the starters on the outside, but he’ll settle just fine into a role in the slot. His size may have worked against him, unfortunately. What Cone lacks in size he makes up for in ability. He’s athletic and has ball-skills as sharp as anyone on the roster.

He might be a target early on because of his stature. If he’s able to make opposing quarterbacks pay he can lock down one of the spots in a secondary full of holes. The Badgers have the talent to fill them. Somewhere, anyway. We just aren’t sure who they are among the band of underclassmen at the position.

I have the most confidence in Cone because of his ball skills. The Wisconsin secondary will be seeing a lot of passes, ideally, if the Badgers are playing with a lead. This will create opportunities for turnovers more than anything. Great pass coverage is one thing, but a lockdown corner, whether he plays in the slot or not, is something of great value in college football.

The constant threat of turning the ball over will limit the field for the opposition. I believe Cone limits it better than anybody at the cornerback position.