BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — 405. It's more than a number, more than an Oklahoma City area code, more than a heavily congested freeway in Southern California.
405. It's more of a goal, more of a milestone, more of a standard today for defensive backs in the Wisconsin weight room, compliments of Natrell Jamerson, a senior free safety.
Recently, the 6-foot, 198-pound Jamerson benched 405 pounds.
"405 is a big number," Jamerson conceded, "especially for a guy my size."
After maxing out at twice his weight, he said proudly, "That's like a lineman's bench press."
His best previous mark was 385. How surprised was Jamerson? Not surprised at all.
"I started lifting weights my freshman year of high school," he said. "I like working out."
Others weren't as subdued. Instead, they erupted when he extended the bar from his chest.
"They were all surprised," he said of his teammates who crowded around him in the weight room under the north stands of Camp Randall. "If you've seen the video, just look at their faces."
UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who also coaches the secondary, had a wry smile on his face when asked about his own bench press compared to Jamerson's.
The 5-8, 188-pound Leonhard humbly tried to beg off by saying, "It wasn't that much. It was probably 325. That was pretty good. But it's not 405; it's not freaky like Natrell."
Jamerson nodded in Leonhard's direction, smiled and teased, "Looks a little swole on top."
Leonhard later suggested, "Pound for pound, he's probably the strongest person on the team."
405. How should it be digested for context? How does it translate to playing between the lines?
"It's power, it's being able to create separation off blocks," Leonhard said. "It's tackling, it's explosion, it's just strength in general. It's impressive to see how strong and explosive he is.
"And he is a guy who can translate it to the field. You see that with his get-off, just getting off the ball, getting in and out of breaks, covering ground; he's very explosive, sometimes almost too fast."
Jamerson pointed to the physical and psychological power of 405.
"With the mind, it's just being confident knowing you're as strong or stronger than probably most of the people on the field," said Jamerson, who's from thoroughbred country (Ocala, Florida). "The physical part comes with the confidence knowing when you have to take on a block, coming downhill, you have enough power to take it on and they're not just going to knock you back."
"He has been on the field in big games, big situations, he doesn't panic. You ask a guy to make a move like this and some guys aren't quite sure about doing it. But he knows that he wants to help this team."
Jamerson has made the transition from a seldom-used wide receiver (0 catches, 1 rush) as a freshman to special teams and kickoff return specialist as a sophomore to nickel cornerback as a junior.
Despite missing two months (six games) with a broken fibula in 2016, Jamerson showed enough natural ability to convince Leonhard that he could make one more transition from corner to safety.
"Obviously being a corner, he's extremely athletic to play safety," Leonhard said. "And he has proven over the past three years, he's one of the best tacklers that we have."
Leonhard has been encouraged by how Jamerson has grown into the position since last spring.
"You definitely see the comfort level," he said. "Having gone through the spring, and having a summer to kind of reflect on that, and to continue to watch tape and learn, the comfort level is rising.
"He's very versatile in his skill set. It's going to be fun to find ways to utilize his skills."
Nonetheless, there has been an expected adjustment from nickel to safety for Jamerson.
"It's playing off the ball inside — 10 to 12 yards off — standing there looking at the quarterback," Leonhard said. "Your perspective changes when you get that far off the ball
"And you've got to figure out where your eyes need to be. That's the adjustment. It's nothing physical for him. He's very athletic, strong, and a good tackler."
Leonhard believes his frame of reference is another asset.
"He has been on the field in big games, big situations, he doesn't panic," he pointed out. "You ask a guy to make a move like this and some guys aren't quite sure about doing it.
"But he knows that he wants to help this team. He's very unselfish. Obviously, to make those changes that he has made through his career, you have to be an unselfish player."
Jamerson has been grateful for Leonhard's support and instruction. Leonhard, after all, is a former All-America safety for the Badgers, and a 10-year veteran of the National Football League.
"If I have a question about anything, he explains it in a way that I can understand it," Jamerson said. "And he knows if he tells me something, I'm going to do it the way he says to do it.
"He gives all the defensive backs that confidence that they can go out there and make plays. They don't have to be a robot. They can have their little swag to them and go out and play like they want."
D'Cota Dixon, the returning starter at strong safety, has been an experienced sounding board for Jamerson. They roomed together as freshmen and they have grown close off the field.
Dixon has noticed some changes in Jamerson's understanding of the defense.
"He's getting extremely confident as far as knowing the plays and knowing what he's supposed to be doing," said Dixon, underlining how the big picture has begun to crystallize for Jamerson. "The thing is, at safety, you not only have to know your responsibility, but it's important for you to know others. You have to be transitional; you have to be able to play free safety and strong."
Jamerson has a strong bond with Derrick Tindal, a returning starter at cornerback. Jamerson and Tindal are now roommates. "We've been close since my freshman year when we all came in," he said.
Nick Nelson, the Hawaii transfer, has taken over as the other starting corner. "He has clicked with everyone," Jamerson said. "My relationship with him off the field helps me with him on the field."
As a result, a trust has developed from Jamerson's friendship with Dixon, Tindal and Nelson, no small thing, since Jamerson and Nelson are replacing Leo Musso and Sojourn Shelton, respectively.
"I feel confident every time I step on the field," said Jamerson, who's hoping to continue returning kickoffs. In 2015, he had a 98-yard touchdown return at Maryland.
"I just have to make plays and have some fun with it, too."
That's the enjoyable part for Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst.
"Boy, he has had a tremendous summer," Chryst said of Jamerson. "I'm excited to see his growth and development. Why do we feel confident (in him)? Because 'Trell gives us that confidence."
405. It's more of a starting point than even a benchmark.
