Badger of Honor
Fansided

A breakdown of Wisconsin Football’s defensive groups for the upcoming season

By Joey Lovell

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Darian Varner #9 of the Temple Owls in action against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Lincoln Financial Field on September 24, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Darian Varner #9 of the Temple Owls in action against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Lincoln Financial Field on September 24, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

I meant this in the most positive way possible. With the large number of points, the Badgers are expected to ring up, teams are going to be forced to take to the air in an effort to catch up.

This will be the position group that sees the biggest turnover, as a starting safety, cornerback, and both nicklebacks all graduated.

Leaving the program via transfer portal, cornerback Selmar Melvin is staying in the conference by going to Michigan State. Safety Titus Toler elected to transfer to Boise State.

Coming in via the transfer portal is the former 3-star recruit from Boston College, Jason Maitre.

During his five years at Boston College, he had a total of 133 tackles, 9 of which resulted in a loss of yards. He also had four sacks and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

The incoming freshman class of 2023 sees no fewer than four cornerback commits. Headlining this group is the 4-star

MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 05: Rakim Jarrett #1 of the Maryland Terrapins drops a pass while being hit by Kamo’i Latu #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 05: Rakim Jarrett #1 of the Maryland Terrapins drops a pass while being hit by Kamo’i Latu #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

, out of Roseville High School in Michigan.

Coach Tressel’s base formation is a 3-3-5, which puts five secondary players on the field.  This is probably the biggest unknown going into spring camp, as only three returning players had over 100 snaps last year.

Wisconsin football’s defensive stats from last season merit more than the disappointing 7-6 mark they earned. With the introduction of the new offensive system, a defensive replica from a year ago should easily result in nine or more wins.