Badger Football: Confidence Meter for Each Position Group on Defense

The season opener is just a week away, so what is our confidence rating of every position group on defense heading into the season?

Defensive Line

Confidence: 30%

The defensive line took a huge hit earlier this week with the loss of James Thompson Jr. It's especially concerning considering the group was already one of the weakest on the roster. Luke Fickell and company will have to find production out of Ben Barten, Curt Neal and transfer Brandon Lane if the unit is to make an impact. Hopefully Thompson Jr. isn't out for an extended period of time because things are looking worrisome along the front for the Badgers.

Linebackers

Confidence: 75%

The inside and outside linebacking group is very strong with a lot of experience. On the inside, Jake Chaney and Jaheim Thomas are as solid as they come. Christian Alliegro has also pushed for more playing time and could see the field quite a bit.

On the outside Darryl Peterson returns, and two promising transfers in John Pius and Leon Lowery will help in the Badgers' effort to reach the quarterback more in 2024. Overall the linebacking room is a deep and talented unit with not much reason for concern. The only thing that holds our confidence rating back a bit is some questions around the transfers who need to show they can adapt to the Big Ten level of play.

Secondary

Confidence: 90%

The Badger secondary is the strongest position group on the defense. Led by potential All-Americans Ricardo Hallman Jr. and Hunter Wohler, this unit leaves us with almost no concerns whatsoever. Nyzier Fourqurean and RJ Delancy are no slouches either, and both of them have starter level talent on outside. The only thing that could make this group 100% confidence is a little stronger safety play opposite of Wohler, but it's nitpicking.