BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — Jim Leonhard was so impressed with what he had seen out of the position group during the first week of training camp that he brought up their development without prodding.
More impressively, it wasn't his position group.
"Me, being the DB coach," said Leonhard, who's also Wisconsin's defensive coordinator, "the first thing that pops out to me is the wide receiver group.
"They're playing at a high level right now. We have a lot of guys who know how to get off the ball and they can run. They can threaten you with their speed.
"Do they all have experience? No. But they can stretch you as a secondary. They can get off press (coverage) and they get down the field."
When the ball is in the air, he added, "They're attacking the football. It challenges our group (defensive backs) and it gives me a lot of stuff to coach, which is what you want."
Two of Leonhard's DBs agreed with the wide receiver assessment.
"They're going to make you run," said strong safety D'Cota Dixon. "You have to be on your game with those guys. They're challenging us which is good. They're making us play a little bit more honest."
"It's like they've hit another gear coming from spring practice," said free safety Natrell Jamerson. "They've got a lot of moves off the line. They've grown a lot since April."
Senior Jazz Peavy is the bellcow of the unit with 63 career receptions, including 43 last season. The only other senior in the rotation is George Rushing, who has 18 catches in 39 career games.
Quintez Cephus (4 receptions for 94 yards) and A.J. Taylor (3 for 53) lettered as true freshmen. Cephus has been a running mate with Peavy in most 21 personnel groupings (2 wide receivers, 2 running backs, 1 tight end).
Along with Kendric Pryor (a redshirt freshman), Taylor is looking to establish his identity, which has already changed numerically. Last year, he was No. 84. Now, he's No. 4.
"Reminds me of my high school days," said Taylor, who wore 4 at Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, Missouri) where he was a first-team all-state running back. "I feel very comfortable with it."
More significantly, he's feeling more comfortable in what he's doing as a receiver.
"I'm trusting it (the position), being confident, and playing fast," said the 5-foot-11, 202-pound Taylor. "At this level, I thought it was going to be fairly easy. Then, I found out it's really tough."
He was referencing the transition from prep tailback to college wideout.
"There are so many little details that you never think about when you're a running back," he said. "The steps, the depth — all the stuff that comes with being a receiver. It was a big adjustment."
Danny Davis, Cade Green, Deron Harrell and Emmet Perry are going through the process — as true freshmen — adjusting day by day in training camp. Predictably some days are better than others.
Two walk-ons, Adam Krumholz and Jack Dunn, are also competing to be in the mix.
"Everybody brings something different, everybody brings their own gifts and talents," said Taylor, citing examples. "Jazz is smooth. Q (Cephus) is a big guy who can jump. KP (Pryor) is fast, quick."
What about Taylor? What does he bring?
"It's not really what I bring," he said. "It's what I'm trying to bring. I'm trying to bring reliability and durability. I'm going to be there and I'm going to make the catch.
"My biggest goal is to be precise with my routes."
Spoken like a true receiver.
"I definitely feel more like a receiver now," Taylor conceded.
THE TRADITION CONTINUES
Conor O'Neill. Dez Southward. James White.
Dontye Carriere-Williams is the next UW link in the chain from St. Thomas Aquinas, the Fort Lauderdale (Florida) high school program that annually ranks among the most successful in the country.
"I can tell you this, he inspired me," Carriere-Williams said of White, who had 14 catches for New England against Atlanta and the game-winning touchdown in overtime of Super Bowl LI.
"Sweet Feet" White is Wisconsin's fifth-leading all-time rusher.
Like many Aquinas alums, White played on a state championship team (2008). Carriere-Williams played on one at Aquinas and two at Miami's Booker T. Washington High School.
Last fall, the 5-10, 192-pound Carriere-Williams redshirted as a true freshman cornerback.
"It was a year to sit back and get better and just learn," he said. "I learned how fast the game is. And I learned the playbook. It prepared me well for (training) camp."
Carriere-Williams is competing to be the nickel back in specialty defenses. And he admitted that it has been a transition. "Playing corner my whole life," he said, "you always had the sideline to help you."
But he's starting to get the hang of the new assignment.
"It has made me a better all-around player knowing what the corners and safety are doing behind me," he said. "You're basically in the middle of the field and you have to play it more honest."
Prior to a recent injury, he was focused on improving his communication skills.
"I'm going to hold myself accountable from a communicative standpoint — just being more vocal out there," he promised. "I know the guys. I know the playbook. I'm just more comfortable now."
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DEALING WITH UPS AND DOWNS
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, tailback Taiwan Deal was called on to help fill the void created by Corey Clement's injury and inactivity (Clement appeared in only four games) and Deal delivered.
Following the lead of Dare Ogunbowale, who led the Badgers in rushing with 194 carries for 819 yards and seven touchdowns, Deal came through with a promising 2015 season that included two starts.
Deal finished as the second-leading rusher with 117 carries for 503 yards and six touchdowns. His most productive outings came against Hawaii (26 rushes for 147 yards) and Minnesota (22 for 90).
Some injury setbacks late in the season set the tone for 2016. Deal played in only six games.
"I don't wish injury on anyone," he said. "Of course, it was frustrating."
Deal had just 32 carries for 164 yards. His only game of note was Akron (12 rushes for 58 yards).
"There were moments where I felt depressed," Deal said. "It was something I couldn't control."
During the offseason, Deal took some steps physically to avoid a repeat of '16.
"I focused on my strength — getting faster and quicker — and I've trimmed down a little bit," Deal said. "As I'm getting older, I feel like I'm losing more fat and gaining more muscle.
"I remember when I first walked in here and I've seen a big change in my body."
Deal is listed at 6-1, 219 pounds. "Last year, I was about 222 or 223, so it's not that much of a difference," he said. "But I do feel quicker and stronger.
"I went on a lean meats and veggie diet and implemented rice in my diet at least twice or three times a week depending on my workouts. I didn't take many cheat days, either."
His favorite "cheat" foods were ice cream and pizza. And when he did cheat, he said, "I made my own pizza." That way he could control what was on it. "I was just eating smarter," he pointed out.
Although he recently missed some practice time with an injury, Deal is confident that he can be a factor in the tailback rotation that features Chris James, Bradrick Shaw and Rachid Ibrahim.
"Of course, you miss guys like Dare and Corey," said Deal, who's from Capitol Heights, Maryland. "As older guys, they each had a role that they played in your life. They treated me like a little brother."
That was his way of saying that he must set an example for freshman Jonathan Taylor. To earn snaps, though, he recognizes that he must stay healthy and compete for that playing time.
"Like Coach (John) Settle always says, 'There's nothing wrong with a little competition,'" said Deal. "That's how we get better. That's what the running back room is about here."
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TACKLING A NEW POSITION
Michael Deiter has taken a fundamental approach to playing left tackle.
"I really think the only way you can master any position," he said, "is the reps you get."
The more the better.
"I've had all camp to work on it," said the 6-6, 328-pound Deiter, "and it is getting better."
But the redshirt junior from Curtice, Ohio, is still adjusting to playing in space.
"Space is a big deal, but it's the guys that you get out there — the quick, more athletic, fast-twitch guys," he said. "When they get in space, they know how to use it to their advantage.
"Obviously, they're faster than you are. So, you have to try and outsmart them if you can. You have to know what they're going to do and how they're going to do it."
The blocking angles are different at tackle.
"Sometimes angles are more extreme, sometimes they're not," said Deiter, who has 27 career starts at center and guard. "Every offensive line position has its own intricacies.
"Tackles are a little different than guards. Guards are a little different than center. As long as you do your best to slow it all down and remember you're just playing football, it usually works out."
QUOTE TO NOTE
Leonhard on cornerback Nick Nelson: "As a coach, it's just fun to watch him work and see his approach. He has a plan every day that he comes out to practice. He has a plan every rep on the field. He's very mature in his approach and as far as how he handles the game. Now, he's in a role where he knows he's playing, he's starting. He has always been competitive. But now you see the communication, you see him grabbing guys on the sidelines and teaching the guys. He has earned the respect just with his play."
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