BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — The Badgers are now two weeks into their preseason training camp. Here are five takeaways knowing the Sept. 1 season opener with Utah State at Camp Randall Stadium is drawing closer:
1. The loss of senior Jack Cichy to season-ending knee surgery is a major blow, but if there's a position group that can absorb it, it's the inside linebackers. It's arguably the deepest unit on the roster, just ahead of the defensive line, tailback, tight end and offensive line. Sophomore Chris Orr, who lost his starting job due to a season-ending knee injury in 2016, or junior Ryan Connelly will slide in with the No. 1 defense alongside junior T.J. Edwards. This is a prime opportunity for junior Arrington Farrar, a converted safety; sophomore Griffin Grady, who flashed some strong moments in 12 games last season and the spring; and redshirt freshman Mike Maskalunas, who has had some memorable reps during camp. Cichy's absence will be felt in a lot of areas, but mostly in his unsurpassed energy, playmaking instincts and knowledge of the scheme. Orr will lead the charge to fill that void.
2. When Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz visited UW practice last week he told his old defensive coordinator, Barry Alvarez, how much he liked the Badgers' speed, especially at wide receiver. Senior Jazz Peavy tops this list, but he's got some young company in sophomores Quintez Cephus and A.J. Taylor, redshirt freshman Kendric Pryor and newcomers Danny Davis, Deron Harrell and Emmet Perry. Cephus appears to be the No. 2 wideout behind Peavy and Taylor and Pryor are right behind, along with senior George Rushing. Recent injuries to Peavy and Rushing have opened the door to more reps for Davis, Harrell, Perry and redshirt freshman Jack Dunn and they've all really embraced them.
3. How much does physical readiness and overall maturity factor into playing time for a true freshman? At least two case studies are on the table for UW coach Paul Chryst and his staff. One is tailback Jonathan Taylor. The other is wide receiver Cade Green. Both look the part — Taylor is listed at 5-foot-11 and 214 pounds; Green is 5-11, 185 — and both have looked poised and comfortable in the offense thus far. Taylor, a New Jersey sprint champion, might be the fastest player on the team, but as many as four veterans are situated ahead of him in the unofficial pecking order. Green, whose frame and game is sure to remind longtime Badgers fans of the versatile Nick Davis, has missed a sizeable chunk of preseason camp with a leg injury.
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4. No one wants to see injuries, of course, but one man's frustration is another man's opportunity. That's the case at tight end, where a nagging leg injury to junior Zander Neuville — the resident Swiss Army Knife because of his versatility — has given way to valuable, enlightening reps for redshirt freshman Luke Benzschawel and true freshman Jake Ferguson.
5. Inconsistency remains the hallmark of the battle to be the No. 2 quarterback behind sophomore starter Alex Hornibrook, but a glimmer of separation can be seen between true freshman Jack Coan and redshirt freshman Karé Lyles. Coan stands out because of his mobility, poise and arm strength. He clearly made the most of his early enrollment in January, which allowed him to participate in spring drills.
