BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer

MADISON, Wis. — Continuity was a defining characteristic of Collin Wilder's career as a prep football player in southeast Texas. And it's now something that Wilder, a sixth-year senior, is hoping to attain with fellow safety Scott Nelson, a fifth-year senior, in the Wisconsin secondary.

At Katy High School (suburban Houston), Wilder earned a spot in the lineup as a freshman and stayed there for 64 consecutive games – four 16-game seasons – highlighted by a couple of Class 6A Division II state championships and a No. 1 ranking nationally as a senior.

Since then, he has not experienced that same type of playing continuity. He spent two years at the University of Houston and appeared in 15 games before blowing out his knee. After transferring to the UW, and redshirting in 2018, he has started three times in 21 games the past two seasons.

Along the way, Wilder has found some common ground with Nelson, a Detroit native who redshirted as a freshman in 2017 and has started 15 of 16 games the last three seasons — one of which was limited to just one game, the 2019 opener at South Florida, where he also blew out a knee.

Being roommates has not only grown their friendship but strengthened their partnership.

"When you see each other all day – every day – and then come out here," Wilder said of the practice field, "it's very easy to talk through and communicate things that we can help each other on. We just have that great bond that we've built for years now."

Added Nelson, "I know what he's thinking. I know to communicate with him without saying very much. We've played enough ball together, we've watched a lot of film and been in a lot of meetings, where we can be on the same page pretty quickly as soon as Coach (Jim) Leonhard gives us a call."

Both are now tackling their master's. Last December, Wilder got his undergraduate degree in Communication Arts and Nelson got his in Community and Nonprofit Leadership. Both are looking to be leaders in the back end with the departure of Eric Burrell, who's trying to make the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Wilder and Nelson have yet to start a game together. In '18, Nelson started eight times while Wilder was sitting out due to the NCAA transfer rule. In '19, Wilder started twice (Northwestern and Iowa) while Nelson was rehabbing from surgery. Last season, Wilder started the opener while Nelson was out.

Throughout it all, Burrell, who started 26 career games, was the linchpin of the secondary. Who will take on that identity among the safeties now that he has departed? The responsibility will likely be shared by the starters Wilder and Nelson along with John Torchio, Travian Blaylock and Tyler Mais.

Two youngsters, redshirt freshman Preston Zachman and true frosh Hunter Wohler, are vying for reps.

"Every guy is pushing each other to be better," Wilder said. "That's how you know the whole group is going to get better. Everybody is on the same page. Everybody has the same goals."

In confirming as much, Nelson pointed out, "I definitely think it's the closest group that we've had. We've all got a very good understanding that we're all trying to help each other. We're all trying to bring the group up. There's very little ego. We're all very close friends."

During the offseason, UW head coach Paul Chryst tweaked the defensive staff by naming Hank Poteat to coach the cornerbacks thereby lessening the burden on Jim Leonhard, who besides coordinating the defense has been coaching the secondary. Leonhard is still tutoring the safeties.

"The attention to detail is a lot different now," Wilder suggested. "I feel like for the most part we know the defense and the playbook. Having Coach Po and Coach Leonhard separately coaching each position, we can focus on our techniques even more now and it's showing up."

From the onset, Poteat has been preaching a "dog mentality" with his position group.

"Coach Po's emphasis has been in securing turnovers, and you can see that in camp with the corners getting a lot of interceptions when they might have just been settling for PBUs or catch/tackles in the past," Nelson said. "He has raised the goals and the standard of that group."

The Poteat-Leonhard combo, Nelson said, "Has allowed both groups to flourish and thrive."

Torchio likes the fact that Leonhard can offer more personal instruction.

"We've gotten a little more in-depth; Coach calls it 'big boy' football or 'advanced' football," said Torchio, speaking for the safeties. "We're talking about offensive concepts and what the quarterback is ID-ing. And it's definitely been helpful. It's helped the corners and it's helped us.

"When you can have more focus on an individual group, obviously, you're going to be better off. Coach Po has done a great job, and everybody knows how good Coach Leonhard is. The more (time) with him, the better."

Torchio went so far as to call him "a defensive genius." That's quite an endorsement. Especially coming from a "jewelry thief." That would be Torchio's nickname. It was given to him by special teams coach Chris Haering. Since it was all in fun, Torchio didn't have a problem with it. "I'll adopt it," he said.

Explained Wilder on its genesis, "Coach Haering started that during a special teams meeting after he (Torchio) was sneaking around on kickoffs (coverage) – hiding at his position – and then going and making a play. He said, 'You're like a jewelry thief. No one can see you.'

"We've kind of rolled with it every time that he has taken the ball away. And he has been taking the ball away a lot (during training camp). He's very good at anticipation. And he does a great job of disguising certain things to the offense."

Torchio has been so consistent in baiting the QBs and getting his hands on passes, Wilder also said, "He's pushing the entire room, which is what you want and what you love to see. It makes me feel like I need to pick myself up and make more plays. And probably Scotty feels the same way."

Nelson agreed and noted, "We've had very little mental mistakes as a group."

Meanwhile, Torchio's quarterback background (and DNA) has served him well in the secondary. At Campolindo High School (Moraga, Calif.), he threw for over 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior. Moreover, his dad and grandfather both played the position at the University of California.

"Coach Leonhard has done a good job in taking us into the head of the quarterback and what he sees and thinks. Pair that with my knowledge and it helps a lot for sure," said Torchio, a redshirt junior who turned down scholarship offers to walk on at Wisconsin (where his sister had played soccer).

There was a figurative shrug when Torchio was asked about his playmaking spree in camp.

"I've just been in the right spots, I guess," he said. "I'm seeing what I need to be seeing. I've got good eyes and I've been patient and that's thanks to Coach Leonhard and the D-line. They're getting a crazy push and forcing the QBs to get the ball out and allowing us to make plays."

There has been a heightened sense of awareness around the team this week.

"Once we get out of camp mode and into game prep, it will start to feel more like, 'OK, the season is upon us,'" Wilder said. "Right now, it's UW vs. UW which is what we need. We're still learning. We're still growing. But eventually we're getting the edge to get after someone else."

Tuesday marked the final practice of the training camp phase. All eyes are now on Penn State.

There's nothing like the daily routine and continuity of a season. The edge is back.