clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Badgers Preseason Player Rankings: No. 11-15

Once again it's time to continue our countdown of the top 25 players on the 2011 Wisconsin Badgers.

So far we have taken a look at No. 16-20 and No. 21-25. And if you would like to see the entire top 25 sooner, you can pick up a copy of Badger Kickoff 2011 on newsstands across Wisconsin or order it online. The full rankings are already in the magazine but you will find that the rankings are slightly adjusted online because of the Russell Wilson transfer.

Once again, last year's rankings are in parentheses:

15. Travis Frederick - Sophomore offensive guard (14)

Frederick is somewhat of a forgotten commodity because he redshirted last season just because Wisconsin had the depth to save him for a year. Frederick is still the only true freshman to ever start on the UW offensive line and he should be able to step right in at left guard for the departed John Moffitt and not skip a beat.

14. Brad Nortman - Senior punter (13)

Nortman has been a reliable punter for three years and he remains a very important piece of the puzzle for the Badgers. His ability to pin opposing offenses deep is a big part of Wisconsin's formula for winning.

13. Philip Welch - Senior kicker (10)

Welch has a big leg and for the most part, he has been a reliable weapon for Wisconsin. He went through his struggles a little bit early on last season and he missed a big field goal in the Rose Bowl, but the Badgers need him to have a big senior season this year. It's also not out of the question for him to find work in the NFL if he has success in 2011.

12. Kevin Zeitler - Senior offensive guard (18)

Zeitler is now the most experienced and most reliable member of the Wisconsin offensive line. His leadership will be important this season as the Badgers piece together a new unit in front of Russell Wilson and UW's talented tandem of running backs.

11. Patrick Butrym - Senior defensive tackle (12)

The Badgers will have to replace J.J. Watt's production on the end, but inside, they will have two returning starters at tackle. Butrym is the senior leader inside and if he can produce just little more this season, it would go a long way for a defense that is going to have to get to the quarterback as a group.

Read: Badgers Preseason Player Rankings: No. 16-20, Badgers Preseason Player Rankings: No. 21-25

Order: Badger Kickoff 2011

So, what do you think about No. 11-15?