Wisconsin is getting close to closing the fall camp to the media and rolling into practices without much reporting happening. This means we are running out of time to figure out the depth chart, the players to watch, the position groups to be nervous about, and all the other things that go with fall camp.
The good news is that it's been a camp full of competition, and there are a lot of position battles that won't even be figured out by Week 1. Here are four projected starters who are looking over their shoulder feeling the heat from the players behind them, trying to take their spots.
Jon Jon Kamara - Linebacker
Kamara came to Wisconsin to be the third starting linebacker. He's a freakish athlete who played for the Kansas Jayhawks last year. Before fall camp, he seemed pretty safe in his spot, but Thomas Heiberger has elevated his game and pushed Kamara, and lately JUCO transfer Taylor Schaefer is also putting pressure on Kamara.
Don't be surprised if this position group isn't as settled as many thought going into camp. It's Mason Posa, Cooper Catalano, and who? Still feels like Kamara, but watch out.
Jaylon Domingeaux - Wide Receiver
Domingeaux was one of the best wide receivers in the FCS last season. He's big, physical, and knows how to high-point the ball with his body. There's a lot to like about his game, but he has yet to be able to take the reins of either WR1, WR2, or even beyond that. Eugene Hilton Jr. may be the top dawg now; Chris Brooks Jr. is right there too, and watch out because Shamar Rigby is healthy again, and even true freshman Kash Brock is showing up.
Don't forget about Malachi Coleman or even Zion Kearney in one of those outside roles. It's a loaded room, and at no point in the season will Domingeaux feel safe as an assumed starter.
Matthew Jung - Safety
Jung is considered one of the leaders on the team, and he went to Big Ten Media Days with Luke Fickell. However, his starting spot is not safe. Carson Van Dinter is breathing down his neck and has had a really impressive fall camp.
Abu Sama III - Running back
One of the most fun competitions to watch is the running back room. It's literally loaded with talent, which means someone will be buried on the depth chart. That won't be Sama, who's most likely going to be RB1, and it seems like a safe bet. However, he can never feel settled; Darrion Dupree and Bryan Jackson II have both been great this camp.
JUCO JuJu Pope may be a little ways behind this trio, but the talent is clearly there, and when it starts clicking, he may also push into the mix. Nate Palmer is another name to watch in the room too. Yet, it seems like the three at the top will be Sama, Dupree, and Jackson. Who's the bell-cow? For now, it's Sama, but the gap between him and the next two is not big.
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