With Big Ten Media Days underway, Luke Fickell had plenty to say about the conference, tampering, and more, including the Nyzier Fourqurean situation. The Badgers' projected starting cornerback was deemed ineligible, but Fickell proclaimed that the fight isn't over just yet. Meanwhile, Wisconsin has to get a backup plan ready...and quickly.
Fickell and the Badgers don't lack options to replace Fourqurean, but there isn't one that rises above the rest just yet. The head coached touched on some of those options with the local reporters ahead of his press conference on Tuesday.
“Omillio [Agard} is a guy that I would tell you right off the bat, has been playing over there a lot,” said Fickell. “D’Yoni Hill is a guy that we brought in. Had him playing a bit more on the other side, but he’s a guy we’re going to have to rely upon and see how well he can do. Geimere Latimer is a guy we made a nickel just because of the situation we had. He’s another guy who could be in the mix. Then you’ve got some of the freshman guys who have done a really good job. Nobody in today’s day and age wants to play true freshmen, but the truth of the matter is, there’s some some guys that have been here for a little while, and there’s some competition that’s going to be had, and there’s a lot to be figured out in the next 30 days.”
via Max Siker
Who will win the boundary cornerback job for Wisconsin?
It seems like the ball coach is considering nearly everything at this point. Agard has yet to play any meaningful snaps for the Badgers, but it might be his competition to lose. Superstar cornerback Ricardo Hallman even said Agard is ahead of where he was as a sophomore. Hill is an interesting transfer, as is Latimer, although Fickell may be content to leave him in the slot. It's a tad worrisome that true freshman might need to get some significant action, but on the other hand, why bring these guys in if they aren't going to push for playing time?
Ultimately it sounds like the battle is down to Agard and Hill. Hill had a down 2024, but a great 2023 season, when he had 10 passes defended and one interception. If he can regain that form, it could be just what the Badgers need. Agard is untested, but is drawing rave reviews from teammates and coaches, so it all comes down to the next 30 days.
This competition will be one of the most closely watched battles over the next few weeks. The Badger secondary still figures to be one of the stronger unit on defense, but the second boundary cornerback just got a lot less experienced regardless of the pick.