BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — Garrett Groshek is comfortable with the attention. Not what he's drawing on his own, though it has been increasing from year to year with his growing value to the Wisconsin offense as a reliable contributor in all disciplines; running, receiving and blocking.
Rather, he's comfortable with the attention — the national media attention — that tailback Jonathan Taylor has drawn to himself, his teammates and the Wisconsin program. Groshek's comfort is in knowing that Taylor is so well-grounded and at ease with his own celebrity.
"For as much as people are telling him that he's the greatest thing ever," said Groshek, "he still remains the same kid from Salem (New Jersey) that his parents raised. He has always been humble and grateful for everything that has happened to him."
After Monday's practice, Taylor was interviewed by Jen Lada, a versatile ESPN television personality and College GameDay reporter. Lada, a former Milwaukee sports anchor, draws some choice assignments and a Taylor feature certainly qualifies as one given his two-year UW resume.
But 4,171 yards and a Doak Walker Award later, is this the same JT from the 2017 recruiting class that was a three-star running back and seriously entertained the thought of a Harvard education? The same Jersey sprint champion that was an afterthought on the preseason depth chart as a freshman?
"Same JT, yep," said Groshek, smiling. "Always the same JT."
There is one difference.
Lately, Taylor has been sharing the same backfield with Groshek, a redshirt junior.
It has been one of the formations that the Badgers have been toying with in training camp.
"I'm never going to shy away from being on the football field and neither is he," Groshek said. "We both love watching each other play and we like to learn from each other. Once we're both off the field, we talk about things, 'What did you see here? What do you think we should have done?'
"It's just cool to now be on the field at the same time."
Wisconsin Badgers running back Garrett Groshek #37 before the 2018 NCAA Football game against Western Kentucky at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.
Quizzed on the advantages of a two-tailback set, Groshek said, "The obvious thing is versatility. It doesn't quite lock you into a run or a pass because we're both willing guys to block for each other and do whatever the team needs. For defenses, it's just another thing to game-plan for."
As a tandem, or individually, Taylor and Groshek have clearly defined roles.
The rest of the tailback rotation is less certain. Battling for reps are Bradrick Shaw, a proven commodity when healthy; Nakia Watson, a powerfully-built Texan; and Isaac Guerendo, a converted wide receiver with above average speed. Guerendo and Watson are redshirt freshmen.
Monday's scrimmage was the equivalent of a recital or audition for the unproven.
"Usually for the younger guys, it should be one of their more exciting days," Groshek said. "You're getting more reps than you're used to getting in practice. And you get a chance to actually play football. Some of them haven't played football in an actual live game in a year.
"For the older guys, it's a great opportunity to get those mental reps.
"You also get a chance to help the younger guys and improve the position group as a whole."
Watson didn't disappoint. He caught a few passes and had some strong runs.
"He's a lot more comfortable, obviously," Groshek observed. "We really didn't get to see a whole lot of him last year because he was doing a bunch of scout team stuff during the season. He got nicked up a little bit in the spring, but he was starting to understand things and relax and run the ball.
"Now he has carried that over to a great summer and fall camp so far."
Nakia Watson running with the ball at 2019 Wisconsin football spring practices
As a true freshman, Watson admitted, "I was lost at times last fall in camp."
In retrospect, he felt that he may have been trying too hard, and thinking too much.
"When I'm not really sure of something — and I can only speak for myself — I tend to think a lot and that's when I start being hesitant," said Watson, who rushed for nearly 4,000 yards at Westlake High School (Austin, Texas), whose alums include Drew Brees and Nick Foles.
"The biggest difference now would be understanding the plays, really locking in over the past year, figuring out my role on the team and just knowing what I need to do to get better. I still have a long way to go but I feel like I'm doing a lot better and I'm excited that I can just go out and play."
Most first-year running backs endure an adjustment period (Taylor was an exception).
"Transitioning from high school to college, there's all new verbiage, all different plays, all different techniques," said Groshek, who redshirted as a freshman, allowing him to make the transition from quarterback to tailback after leading Amherst High School to the 2015 D-5 state championship.
"Everybody has gone through it. Your brain is kind of swelling at first where it's hard to settle down and calm your thoughts. Once you get a better understanding and grasp of the offense and the plays that we're running then you get a chance to focus on what you're doing and cut it loose."
If you're wondering if Groshek has graduated from his own learning stage, think again.
"I don't think it ever ends," he insisted. "I always say, 'The more you learn, the less you know.' You're always finding that there's something more you can add, something more you can learn and get a better grasp on. You can see where I'm more comfortable than the new guys.
"But as far as stopping to learn, I don't think that day ever comes."
Growing up in Amherst Junction, he played every position on offense.
"My first fall going from quarterback to running back here was probably the smoothest transition you can ask for when it comes to a position change," he said. "Learning pad level and what you can and can't get away with was a transition.
"After that year off, I was then just relearning how to run."
By that — "relearning how to run" — he meant, "Getting used to running in traffic, getting used to guys flying around. Whether it's a change of direction or balance or getting ready for contact, you have to refine and knock the rust off. You could teach Pop Warner kids that."
It's much different, he stressed, from mastering the nuances of the position.
"It's detailing the techniques, the reads and the linemen's assignments — that's what I would consider as nuances," he said. "Making the transition from straight-line running in the summer to switching over to being able to run the ball when there are 11 guys coming to get you."
Groshek brings a veteran's savvy and presence to the huddle.
So far, that's been Jack Coan's huddle.
"Last year, he didn't quite feel like it was his team," Groshek said of Coan, who has gotten the majority of first-team reps at quarterback during training camp. "This year, it's like he feels, 'I'm the best chance we have to win this game and I'm going to go out and do my job.'
"When he walks into the huddle, he's focused and ready for every play. Off the field, he has done a great job understanding a lot more of the offense. There's a different demeanor to him and he understands that he's the leader of this team."
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Jack Coan (17) rolls to the sidelines during the college football game against Purdue on Nov. 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
