Wisconsin football news: Tanner McEvoy practices with Badgers' first-team defense at safety

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Badgers' football team practiced at Camp Randall Stadium on Friday afternoon and participated in their first 7-on-7 drills of the spring, though most of the practice was positional drills. The 7-on-7 workouts helped to paint a better picture of the first and second-team units this early in the spring.

Joel Stave received the majority of the quarterback reps, which was expected after Paul Chryst named him the starter earlier in the week. Stave had his struggles at times, at one point having three straight passes broken up by the defense.

He did regroup a few plays later to throw a perfect ball to an open Rob Wheelwright roughly 40 yards down the field, in stride. Wheelwright had beaten cornerback convert Natrell Jameson.

The surprise on the defensive side of the ball was Tanner McEvoy starting alongside Michael Caputo at safety. McEvoy again worked exclusively with the secondary despite Chryst saying last week he would get a look at wide receiver. The former quarterback practiced exclusively with the first-team defense throughout the 7-on-7 drills.

Practice notes

• A.J. Jordan, Rafael Gaglianone, Jordan Fredrick, Aidan McNamara and Peter Roy did not participate.

• Center Dan Voltz went through more drills than he did on on Wednesday and practiced with the first team.

• Tight end T.J. Watt was injured during practice and did not return.