Wisconsin football insights: What I learned watching Luke Fickells’ first practice

MADISON, Wis. Luke Fickell said he started checking the weather forecast 10 days ago in anticipation of his first spring football practice as Wisconsin’s coach. Forecast: 51 degrees and sunny. A perfect Saturday in March to start a new era at Camp Randall Stadium.

And then it went down to 49 and then down to 48,” Fickell said. And then suddenly this little snowflake appeared there about a day or two ago.

When the first day of spring ball finally arrived, Wisconsin was greeted with a blizzard that dumped up to nine inches of snow and forced the Badgers into the McClain Center. But even that result couldn’t dampen enthusiasm for one of the most anticipated spring sessions in Wisconsin in recent memory.

Nothing says the first day of spring football practice in Wisconsin like a blizzard. Will still be inside. Full details coming later today on The Athletic. pic.twitter.com/TQRouSXwmX

Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) March 25, 2023

Here are nine takeaways from an open practice filled with notable nuggets:

The tempo is high

The most annoying development for those accustomed to watching Wisconsin was the high-octane tempo at which the Badgers played. Fickell said the time between kickoff and practice was intentionally quick because the entire practice, which clocked in at just under 2 hours and 15 minutes, was meant to train the players. Fickell noted that the duration would be typical of his workouts if the intensity and performance level were there.

The coach is not relaxed, Fickell said. It’s not going to be anything inside the show, which is very relaxed and kind of chill. It’s just the nature of what we want to continue to create by practicing, practicing and then playing.

Left guard Tanor Bortolini said earlier this week that the biggest adjustment for the offensive linemen would be going from running down almost the entire game clock last season to being ready to snap the ball with 20 seconds left. Mentally and physically preparing for the period offensive coordinator Phil Longo wants to play is a work in progress. Fickell said he was especially impressed with how the wide receivers and running backs played with effort and speed.

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Offensive line groups

Wisconsin’s first-team offensive line consisted of Jack Nelson at left tackle, Bortolin at left tackle, Jake Renfro at center, Michael Furtney at right tackle and Riley Mahlman at right tackle. That’s what the Badgers used last season when Renfro from Cincinnati moved to replace Joe Tippmann, who entered the NFL draft. Renfros added Bortolin to move to guard. Furtney, a sixth-year senior, started nine games at right guard last season.

Wisconsin’s second-team offensive line featured Nolan Rucci at left tackle, Joe Brunner at left guard, Dylan Barrett at center, Cincinnati transfer Joe Huber at right tackle and Trey Wedig at right tackle. Wedig started eight games last season, five of which he played at right tackle due to player injuries. Huber started 13 games at right tackle in Cincinnati.

The third team offensive line was Max Rader at left tackle, Kerry Kodanko at left tackle, Drew Evans at center, JP Benzschawel at right tackle and Barrett Nelson at right tackle. John Clifford also earned the start for Rader at left tackle.

Great plays from the quarterbacks

SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai earned all of the first-team offensive reps, while Mississippi State transfer Braedyn Locke generally handled the second-team reps. Oklahoma transfer Nick Evers was the third quarterback. It’s still very early and Mordecai has plenty of room to maneuver behind. Myles Burkett was fourth and walk-on Marshall Howe was fifth.

I think for the most part I was happy with those guys and how they handled themselves even more than they did because we all know we look up to them, Fickell said. You’re going to feed off that guy whether you’re an offensive lineman or not. I know there’s no huddle, but there’s a sugar huddle, and if you can’t look a guy in the eye and see the confidence, I think it’s going to be difficult for a lot of people. So I thought they did a great job on that.

Evers has a lightning-quick release and delivered the play of the day when he threw a tight wrap to wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr., who hauled in about a 40-yard reception down the left sideline in skeleton drills. There weren’t many down passes during the team’s 11v11 replays as everyone was still learning how to attack, but during the 1v1 replays there were some excellent throws and catches that matched the defensive backs’ wide receivers.

Mordecai threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to perfect nemesis Vinny Anthony in the end zone, while Locke threw a pair of 40-yard touchdowns, first to Cincinnati transfer Quincy Burroughs and then to Cincinnati transfer Will Pauling, who adjusted in the air. and dove to catch the pass in the right corner of the goal area. Leading returning wide receiver Chimere Dike praised Pauling this week for his offseason work and speed.

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The wide receiver competition is fierce

Wisconsin’s top wide receiver group looked familiar with Dike and Keontez Lewis on the outside and Skyler Bell in the slot. But the sheer number of rotations and different combinations means the competition for playing time will be fascinating to watch unfold, as wide receivers coach Mike Brown wants a top-six game to use.

USC transfer CJ Williams and Brooks earned snaps on the outside with Pauling in the second group. Burroughs and Tommy McIntosh lined up on the outside with Pauling again in the slot. Tight end Jack Eschenbach was used as a route runner in the first-team offense, while Jack Pugh ran routes with the second-team unit. Wide receiver Markus Allen earned plenty of reps with the reserves, and tight end Riley Nowakowski, a converted Fullback, also lined up as a passer. Oklahoma State transfer Bryson Green, who is challenging for the top spot, did not practice while battling an injury.

Brooks stood out with his 6-foot, 225-pound frame. He gained 10 pounds in the offseason and his physicality, route running and athleticism were evident. In addition to his Evers highlight reel catch, Brooks caught a few passes from Mordecai. Brooks received high praise from his teammates for his performance in December during bowl preparation.

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New ways to take advantage of running

Director Chez Mellusi hinted earlier this week that he and Braelon Allen could be utilized on the field at the same time, and that was briefly the case Saturday. There were also two-back series that featured Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli, both of whom are legitimate contenders to be the third linebacker. Fifth-year senior Julius Davis worked behind them.

Yacamelli made an athletic catch on Locke’s smooth pass to the left. He also showed some nice burst running up the middle. Acker, a fullback last season, is someone Fickell values ​​in this offense.

Jacksons is a really good football player, Fickell said. Well find ways to use him. It could be some rear part. It can be H-back. It could be some full-back. Right now, all he had to do was try to learn several things. But we will find a way to play with him on the football field. What he did last year in reviewing his film was really impressive. So right now it might just be a bit more of a tailback. But let there be a guy who uses well in many different ways.

Spring ball is pic.twitter.com/KQHEWf8y3r

Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 25, 2023

The first team defense was exposed

Wisconsin’s defense ran a 2-4-5 for most of the day as the players learned defensive coordinator Mike Tressels’ system. Isaiah Mullens and Rodas Johnson were first-team defensive linemen, though James Thompson Jr. also earned work with Johnson. CJ Goetz and Darryl Peterson were outside walls and Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner were inside wall players.

In the secondary, cornerbacks Alexander Smith and Ricardo Hallman lined up with Boston College transfer Jason Maitre as the slot corner. Hunter Wohler and Travian Blaylock were the top safeties. However, Blaylock is wearing a yellow non-contact jersey as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL last spring, so Kamoi Latu played with Wohler in potential contact situations.

More defensemen will battle for the two deep spots

Wisconsin’s second-team defense consisted of Thompson and Gio Paez on the defensive line. Michigan State transfer Jeff Pietrowski and Kaden Johnson were the outside walls, with Tatum Grass and Jake Chaney on the inside. Avyonne Jones and Jace Arnold played outside corner with Amaun Williams. Latu and Austin Brown were safe.

Other combinations included Ben Barten and Cade McDonald on the defensive line and Pietrowski paired with freshman early enrollee Jordan Mayer at outside linebacker. Premium early enrollee Braedyn Moore, a four-star prospect, earned some snaps as a slot cornerback with the reserves. Jonas Duclona and AKhoury Lyde settled in the corners on the outside. Lyde, Blaylock and outside linebacker Marty Strey all wore yellow non-contact jerseys during practice. Lyde suffered a torn ACL in junior high.

Special teams work

Wisconsin is looking for a new starter, and three-year starter Andy Vujnovich is moving on. Jack Van Dyke held the regular first-team batting role on Saturday, with Gavin Meyers second. Van Dyke played in five games last season as Wisconsin’s kickoff specialist.

Dike was the primary punt returner during practice, although Pauling and CJ Williams also earned the occasional return. Wisconsins field goal kickers did not attempt kicks until the drills were completed, Fickell watched the situation vigilantly.

Ohio transfer Nathanial Vakos joined Vito Calvaruso, Nate Van Zelst and Gavin Lahm on field goals. Van Zelst made 11 of 14 kicks last season, but Vakos arrived on scholarship intending to earn the starting job. Fickell will play a major role on special teams this season and said he will work with the punt and kickoff teams.

Injury updates

Several players missed practice due to injury: tight ends Clay Cundiff, Cole Dakovich and Cam Large, receiver Bryson Green, offensive lineman Sean Timmis, outside linebackers Ross Gengler and Aaron Witt, inside linebackers Luna Larson and Aidan Vaughan, defensive linemen Mike Jarvis and Darian Varner , cornerback Max Lofy and quarterback Cole LaCrue. Varner, a Temple transfer who missed his team’s final two games last season with a left leg injury, wore a boot around his leg in practice. LaCrues left arm was in a sling.

(Top image of Tanner Mordecai: Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics)