Luke Fickell keeps mentioning this player — A breakout year could be coming

If you were paying attention to all that Luke Fickell was saying during his time at the Big Ten Media Days, you would have noticed one player's name kept coming out of his mouth: Austin Brown. Sure, he talked about Billy Edwards Jr., Rico Hallman, and Jake Renfro. The three guys he brought with him to Las Vegas. But it was a player he left at home that he mentioned by my count, three times.

He started talking about him in a conversation he had with Nick Osen during the open question time before his full podium presser. His excitement for Brown was very evident with all the experience and potential that's ready to explode onto the football field.

Fickell then brought him up casually during his full podium press conference, briefly, but a mention is more than most players receive.

Safety Austin Brown may loading his breakout season according to Luke Fickell's name drops.

Finally, he mentioned him again during a Cover 3 podcast. He actually called him a potential breakout candidate for the Badgers, along with Christian Alliegro. This continual mention of Brown should get Wisconsin fans very excited for what is in store for the senior safety. It's finally his turn to be an every-down safety, and according to Fickell, he's ready for it.

Brown has played a ton of football for Wisconsin. He played in every game as a freshman, mostly on special teams, but he launched right into the game. As a sophomore, he once again played in all 13 games and even had four starts at safety. He recorded 37 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups.

Finally, despite still playing behind Hunter Wohler and Preston Zachman last season, he continued to wait his turn but found valuable reps in the process. He played in every game again, even making eight starts as a defensive back. He had a monster year in this utility role, recording 51 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three pass breakups.

Look for an Austin Brown breakout year, according to Fickell. It's time to unlock his potential as a full-time starter.