All articles tagged with #wisconsin football
Wisconsin football's prospects under coach Luke Fickell are bleak after a heavy loss to Alabama, with the team facing a tough schedule ahead and questions about Fickell's future amid disappointing results and rising coaching stars like Jason Eck.
Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio has resigned from his role as a senior adviser for the Wisconsin football program following his arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Madison, Wisconsin. Del Rio, who joined the Wisconsin staff this year after being fired as the Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator, was involved in a crash and showed signs of impairment. Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell announced Del Rio's resignation, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
The Wisconsin vs. Northwestern football game will not be held at Lambeau Field but at a temporary stadium along Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois, due to the reconstruction of Northwestern's Ryan Field. The temporary venue, part of the Lanny and Sharon Martin athletics facility, will host the game on October 19, 2024, providing a unique experience for fans and reducing travel burdens for the teams.
Wisconsin football completes its eighth spring practice with two players entering the transfer portal, leaving the team with 86 scholarships. The starting quarterback competition remains ongoing, with both Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke showing moments of promise and mistakes. The team is also evaluating options at cornerback and defensive line, with an emphasis on live snaps to improve fundamentals and eliminate past mistakes.
Wisconsin's loss to Indiana highlights the lack of improvement under head coach Luke Fickell in his debut season. The Badgers failed to execute and squandered an opportunity to stay in the Big Ten West Division race. Injuries have taken a toll on the team, but Fickell refused to use them as an excuse. The team's lack of consistency and inability to finish games have been recurring issues. The future looks challenging as the Big Ten expands and success will be harder to come by. Wisconsin's offense has struggled to showcase its potential, while the defense has faltered in critical moments. Fickell and the team are searching for answers as they aim to turn things around.
Tanner Mordecai, the SMU transfer quarterback for Wisconsin football, is confident in the team's switch to an Air Raid system. Mordecai believes that the team has all the necessary pieces to succeed and compete for championships. The transition to the up-tempo, spread offense is a drastic departure from Wisconsin's traditional style of play, but Mordecai is optimistic about the team's ability to adapt and excel in the new system. He has been praised for his leadership and experience, which will be crucial for a team with limited quarterback depth.
Wisconsin football has secured a commitment from Anelu Lafaele, a three-star outside linebacker from Hawaii. Lafaele, rated as the No. 37 edge rusher, brings pass-rushing ability and fluidity to the Badgers' defense. His commitment strengthens Wisconsin's outside linebacker room and continues the pipeline from St. Louis School in Hawaii, where previous players like Nick Herbig have joined the team. Lafaele is the 18th commitment in Wisconsin's 2024 class.
Wisconsin football has added Gideon Ituka, a three-star running back from Maryland, to their 2024 recruiting class. Ituka is a bruising tailback who is compared to former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. He is the first of two potential running backs in the 2024 class for Wisconsin. Ituka's physical running style will complement the shiftier backs Wisconsin has been recruiting. He earned scholarship offers from 15 schools, including Boston College, Cincinnati, Syracuse, and Tennessee.
Wisconsin football is hosting several uncommitted prospects this week for official visits, including OL Emerson Mandell, S Koy Beasley, RB Dilin Jones, DL Joe Barna, and RB Da'Jaun Riggs. The Badgers have already secured commitments from several top prospects, including offensive linemen and defensive backs, but are still looking to add talent at key positions of need. Wisconsin is in strong position for several uncommitted targets, but landing Beasley would be a major accomplishment for the Badgers' staff.
Wide receiver CJ Williams moved up to the first team after a strong performance in Saturday's scrimmage, while Will Pauling has been a consistent playmaker and earned the top slot receiver role. The offense struggled with dropped passes and inaccurate throws during practice, prompting a post-practice punishment from offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Joe Huber played at left guard and center with the first and second teams, respectively. Julius Davis entered the transfer portal, leaving Wisconsin with four scholarship running backs. Freshman early enrollee Jonas Duclona impressed with a pass breakup and a diving play to break up a pass in one-on-one coverage.
Tanner Mordecai, a sixth-year senior transfer from SMU, has established himself as a natural leader and gained credibility among his Wisconsin teammates despite being on campus for just three months. As the starting quarterback, Mordecai will play a significant role in leading Wisconsin into a new era under head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Phil Longo. With an up-tempo offense featuring an Air Raid passing attack and more weapons at receiver, expectations are high for Mordecai to lead Wisconsin to championship status.
Wisconsin football team finally got to practice outside for the first time this spring, allowing the staff to get a better look at the punters and kickers. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai continues to impress, while linebacker Jake Chaney returns from injury with a flourish. Shotgun snaps continue to be an adventure for reserve centers, and kickers get a chance to test their legs outside. Men’s basketball coach Greg Gard also attended practice to do some recruiting.
Wisconsin football team faced center snap issues during their sixth spring practice, with projected starting center Jake Renfro limited due to injury. Tanor Bortolini and Joe Huber struggled with shotgun snapping issues, causing the offense to stall during different stretches. Meanwhile, quarterback Tanner Mordecai delivered an impressive performance, completing all four of his passes to four different players. Redshirt sophomore Will Pauling has moved into the No. 1 slot receiver role, while Maema Njongmeta is positioning himself for an even bigger year in his second season as a starter.
Wisconsin football has started its spring practices, with a focus on drills and 11-on-11 team sessions. The team is also actively recruiting, with a revamped department led by Pat Lambert and Max Stienecker. Meanwhile, former Wisconsin director of player personnel Saeed Khalif reportedly won't have his contract renewed at Michigan State, but this doesn't necessarily vindicate Paul Chryst's decision to go eight months without a legitimate recruiting staff after Khalif left. The addition of Luke Fickell and his coaching staff, as well as the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff, has increased optimism for Wisconsin's Playoff chances. The team is also adjusting to Phil Longo's offense, which gives skill-position players more freedom but requires consistent practice to master.
Wisconsin is finding new pass-catching playmakers during their spring practices, including Cincinnati transfer Will Pauling, who has been consistently fast and has shown playmaking ability. The team is also evaluating their quarterback situation and kicking competition, while making changes to their offensive line. Defensive players are also stepping up, with safety Preston Zachman intercepting a pass and defensive lineman Rodas Johnson making a big play.