This is the first in a series of breakdowns on the 2011 Wisconsin Badgers depth chart. We start with the glue of the entire team: the offensive line.
Starters returning: 3
Starters lost: 2
The Badgers lose their two best offensive linemen and two of their best leaders in Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt. They will also miss do-it-all center/guard/fullback Bill Nagy. But here's the good news: Based on our projected depth chart, all five No. 2's on the Rose Bowl depth chart will remain backups when the 2011 season starts (and not because they aren't good). With Josh Oglesby returning from injury and Travis Frederick returning from a redshirt season, UW will still boast the depth it always has on its offensive line.
2011 PROJECTED DEPTH CHART: OFFENSIVE LINE
|
LT |
LG |
C |
RG |
RT |
|
Ricky Wagner (RS Jr.) |
Travis Frederick (RS So.) |
Peter Konz (RS Jr.) |
Kevin Zeitler (Sr.) |
Josh Oglesby (RS Sr.) |
|
Casey Dehn (RS So.) |
Ryan Groy (RS So.) |
Jake Current (Sr.) |
Zac Matthias (RS So.) |
Robert Burge (RS Jr.) |
|
Rob Havenstein (RS Fr.) |
Dallas Lewallen (RS Fr.) |
|
|
|
Player Rankings:
1. Ricky Wagner (Jr.)
2. Peter Konz (Jr.)
3. Kevin Zeitler (Sr.)
4. Travis Frederick (So.)
5. Josh Oglesby (Sr.)
6. Ryan Groy (So.)
7. Casey Dehn (So.)
8. Jake Current (Sr.)
9. Robert Burge (Jr.)
10. Zac Matthias (So.)
11. Rob Havenstein (Fr.)
12. Dallas Lewallen (Fr.)
Tackle
Ricky Wagner began the 2010 season as the backup right tackle, but when Josh Oglesby went down with another injury, Wagner took over and showed right away that he had a bright future as a Badger. He started the last 10 games of the season and after the Badgers lost to TCU in the Rose Bowl, left tackle Gabe Carimi -- who won the 2010 Outland Trophy -- passed the torch to Wagner by telling him he'll be the next Badger to win the Outland. At 6'6'', Wagner lacks the height of most elite left tackles, but based on his performance in 2010, he should have a smooth transition to the left side.
Josh Oglesby injured his left knee early in the season and while he attempted to come back, he was eventually shut down for the season in late October. It's been a relatively disappointing career for Bret Bielema's only Scout.com five-star recruit. Always thought of as UW's next great left tackle, he never came close to challenging Carimi and his time on the right side has been up-and-down. If healthy, however, Oglesby should start the season on the right side, but he will challenged by both Casey Dehn and Robert Burge. Also, don't discount a challenge from redshirt freshman Rob Havenstein. He's highly regarded and the only reason he is No. 11 on our rankings is because he has yet to play in a game.
Center/Guard
Peter Konz was so impressive at center in 2010 that it's very possible the coaches will shift him to left guard and start Travis Frederick at center instead. Frederick started two games at center and two games at left guard (including the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl) as a true freshman. However, Konz's ability to pull out of the center position gave Wisconsin so many unique looks the coaches might want to keep him there. Either way, Frederick, Konz and Zeitler should be your starting interior linemen. If anyone pushes Frederick for the starting job, it will be Ryan Groy, who started two games at fullback in 2010.