A breakdown of Wisconsin Football’s defensive groups for the upcoming season
By Joey Lovell
Even though Wisconsin football has been making the headlines with its amazing haul of offensive talent, we all know that defense wins championships (just ask any Big 12 team). So we’ll dive into the returning and incoming talent, as well as discuss any departing defenders, that will shut down opposing offenses in the fall.
Before we delve into each position group, let’s take a quick statistical recap of how Wisconsin’s defense performed last year.
In their 13 games, they averaged giving up 99.2 yards rushing and 204.3 yards passing, for a total of 303.5 yards a game. They were ranked 13th in the nation in total yards per game.
In scoring defense they were ranked 17th, giving up an average of 20.2 points per game.
Incoming defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has a very solid foundation to build upon.
It all starts upfront
Anchoring the stingy defense that only allowed 2.9 yards per carry, the interior defensive positions lose a major piece with the departure of NT Keeanu Benton. DE Tristan Monday also departs, via the transfer portal, going west to Arizona State.
The two incoming transfers to the interior defensive line show that not only offensive talent is coming to Wisconsin football.
Former 3-star recruit Darian Varner is transferring in from Temple. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
In his two seasons for the Owls, he accounted for 42 tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and an impressive 10.5 sacks, 7.5 of which occurred last year alone. He has the potential of becoming an extremely disruptive interior force.
Former Michigan State DE Jeff Pietrowski makes the rare move in the conference. While he was in the Michigan State program for the past 3 seasons, he could have four years of eligibility if he applies for a medical hardship.
In the one full season he played, he had 33 total tackles, seven of which resulted in a loss. He also had 5.5 sacks and forced three fumbles.
As for true incoming freshmen, Wisconsin football welcomes two 3-star recruits into the fold. Jamel Howard is a defensive lineman from Marist High School in Chicago and Jordan Mayer is an edge rusher from Thomas Jefferson High School in Clairton, Pennsylvania.
The loss of Benton hurts, but with the returning talent plus the addition of the 2 3-star transfer portal pickups, the interior that was the anchor to the successful defense last year should be just as stout.