BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — Everybody has their own definition of a "wow" moment. So, when inside linebacker T.J. Edwards was asked to talk about his from the summer conditioning phase at Camp Randall Stadium, he hesitated before saying, "There's a wow moment around here every day. There's never a dull moment."
When prodded to name names, especially in the weight room, Edwards offered up one: Leon Jacobs. "Leon is an absolute freak," he said. "He almost hit seven plates today for squats. That's pretty wow-ish. That's something he does on a regular basis. He's kind of a wow guy in general."
Edwards, tight end Troy Fumagalli and inside linebacker Jack Cichy will make up Wisconsin's player contingent Monday and Tuesday at the Big Ten Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon. They will be accompanied in Chicago by head coach Paul Chryst and athletic director Barry Alvarez.
Many college football pundits have tabbed the Badgers as the preseason favorite in the West Division of the conference. And there are many reasons why, not the least of which is the returning experience, as represented, in part, by Fumagalli, Cichy and Edwards.
Q. From a veteran's perspective, who has impressed you the most over the summer?
Fumagalli: "A lot of guys got better. I don't want to pick out just one person. But I'd probably say Leon (Jacobs) just by the way he handled his business in getting ready for the season.
Cichy: "The sophomore offensive linemen, Kasl (Patrick) and Van Lanen (Cole). Both of those guys really pushed weight. The veteran O-linemen and defensive linemen have their own little corner of the weight room where they command the heavy racks. They're in there every day throwing weight around."
Edwards: "The D-line, as always, looks strong and good. They're getting really fast which is awesome. The younger guys are coming along in our group. Mike Maskalunas and Griff Grady are getting stronger and better and they're becoming more fluid with everything that is going on."
Q. Can you single out any incoming freshman to watch?
Fumagalli: "Jake Ferguson. I've gotten the chance to work with him a little bit and I like his attitude, and his work ethic. He's going to be fun to watch during camp to see what he can do."
Edwards: "Jonathan Taylor from New Jersey. He just looks the part (at tailback). He's a guy who works hard and keeps his mouth shut. As an upperclassman, you really like to see that. He looks good."
Q. Who are among the more unsung returning players?
Fumagalli: "Probably Leon (Jacobs) and Garret (Dooley). They've earned the right to be on the field all the time. People aren't talking about them but they're going to surprise a lot of people."
Cichy: "Beau Benzschawel and Alec James. They go under the radar and they shouldn't. (Austin) Ramesh definitely flies under people's radar, too. But he's reliable, he's athletic, and he's a hard-hitter."
Edwards: "A.J. Taylor is someone who has been working really hard during the offseason and he has been getting stronger and stronger every day. I think he's going to be huge for us this year."
Q. Who might be Wisconsin's breakout player?
Fumagalli: "Alex Hornibrook. I don't see why not. Alex is very focused when he's in here, he's very serious. He wants to be that guy (team leader). I think he comes in every day with a chip on his shoulder. He takes care of himself and he has got all the tools to really be a next-level guy."
Cichy: "Nick Nelson will really shine this year." (Nelson, a cornerback, is a transfer from Hawaii.)
Edwards: "It has to be someone from our running back group. Bradrick (Shaw) is a guy who comes in and works hard every day. He has shown flashes in the past."
Q. What did you do to get away from football this summer?
Fumagalli: "I went to Florida, which was very nice, relaxing and new scenery. I also went to the U.S. Open. I thought that was a blast. My brothers came up and we golfed here and then we went to Erin Hills on Sunday. Coach (Paul) Chryst always says you have to get away a little bit."
(Fumagalli also went muskie fishing on Lake Wingra and caught a couple of big ones. "We went out at 4:30 in the morning and we were out there all day. It was very peaceful," he said.)
Cichy: "I went home a couple of times. I got to see some of my buddies that I haven't seen for awhile. A lot of times on weekdays, we'd go out and golf; me, Ferg (Joe Ferguson), Troy (Fumagalli) and (Garret) Dooley. On Friday night, we'd pick out a movie and just hang out. Pretty low-key summer."
Edwards: "I went home a lot more this summer to see my family; stuff that I didn't do last year. I did a lot more golfing this year. I'm not Jack Cichy, but I'm decent. I love the game."
Q. What's your favorite place on campus in the summer?
Fumagalli: "Probably one of the little docks on Lake Mendota, not necessarily the Union. But if you go by Langdon, there are a lot of them (along the shoreline). My roommates and I will bring a speaker and just jump in the lake and hang out."
Cichy: "The Union Terrace would be too easy to say. For me, it's the stadium. You get to see different guys at different times and you don't see some guys as much. So when you do see them it's a treat. We kind of reconnect and everybody is on the same page in the summer. It's a good atmosphere."
Edwards: "The Terrace, 100 percent. Every night there's something different going on. Chris (Orr) and Arrington (Farrar) just missed the cut on open mic night."
Q. Final thought. For people who haven't seen you since high school, what would they be most surprised to learn about you today?
Fumagalli: "How I've developed overall. I don't think there's one major thing necessarily. But just how I carry myself. I did get into business school, which I thought was pretty cool."
Cichy: "I've put on 50 pounds since my senior year. It's night and day."
Edwards: "Probably that I play defense now." (Edwards was a high school quarterback.)
