The Wisconsin Badgers football team returned from its spring break hiatus to practice in Camp Randall Stadium Wednesday evening.
"It was good, with spring break, it's good to get back on the field tonight with the guys," Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said to the media after practice. "We got eight practices left, so we're almost to the halfway point. We got to make some hay in the next two weeks, three weeks."
Badgers just wrapped up their first practice since returning from spring break. Went just helmets tonight.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
After the first practice following a nearly two-week layoff, Chryst got into his players.
Let's just say Paul Chryst was displeased with guys on team in his post-practice speech. Ripped into guys about getting after it. #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) April 9, 2015
#Badgers coach Chryst let his crew know (loudly) that he wasn't happy with focus/effort tonight.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) April 9, 2015
Chryst got on to the team after practice. Sounded like he didn't think every player was into it today after coming off spring break.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
"I thought we had some guys that were really good, then we had some that, we’ve got to keep rolling," Chryst said.
"It’s that old adage, ‘You get better or you get worse.'"
Highlights
Many who observed practice noticed two players in particular making a splash in the first practice back: junior cornerback Sojourn Shelton and true freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
#Badgers just got done with practice. Nice days from Shelton, Hornibrook, Peavy and Sanders.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 9, 2015
Sojourn Shelton had a good practice today. 2 INTs and another PBU from what I saw. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) April 9, 2015
Great practice for Sojourn Shelton. Two interceptions and a handful of PBU's. @ZachHeilprin #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) April 9, 2015
Sojourn Shelton had two INTs tonight. One was because WR fell down, but still. He also had a nice PBU on George Rushing.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
Another good day for frosh QB Alex Hornibrook. I had him at 4/6 in skelly passing drills. Stave 9/13. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) April 9, 2015
First look at #Badgers frosh QB Hornibrook tonight. Nice arm/touch.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) April 9, 2015
Two things from #Badgers spring practice: Sojourn Shelton picked off 2 passes. And freshman QB Alex Hornibrook looks darn good.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) April 9, 2015
"I think Alex, when you talk about opportunities, I think he's earned the right for some," Chryst said when asked about Hornibrook. "I think he's done a good job of learning the what to do, and thought he's done a nice job. That's a pretty significant transition, and I think he's handled that."
Chryst noted Hornibrook still has to learn and grow, but is a worker, competes and is a "gym rat."
Other notes from various media members included seniors Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy getting some reps together.. .as quarterback and wide receiver, respectively.
We are currently waiting for Chryst to speak. He's overseeing Joel Stave throwing routes to Tanner McEvoy.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 9, 2015
Watching Stave throw to McEvoy after Badgers practice. Tanner catches ball effortlessly. So smooth.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) April 9, 2015
Think it is safe to say #Badgers fans will see McEvoy at S and WR this season.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) April 9, 2015
"Tanner's a heck of an athlete, football player," Chryst said. "Anytime you're putting together your team, you want to take advantage of guys' abilities and play to their strengths. I think he's really talented."
Injury updates
Still out: T.J. Watt, Connor Senger, Peter Roy, Derek Straus, Aidan McNamara, Eric Steffes.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
Back at practice: Tanner McEvoy, Dare Ogunbowale, T.J. Edwards, Devin Gaulden, Reggie Love, A.J. Jordan and Beau Benzschawel.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
Spring break gave #Badgers a chance to get healthy. Saw McEvoy, Gaulden, Jordan, Love and Benzschawel all back at practice today.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) April 9, 2015
Jake Stengel returned to practice but then left again with another injury. Appeared to be to his left leg.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) April 9, 2015
No practice for TJ Watt or Connor Senger though. Did stairs with Steffes, Fredrick, etc. instead. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) April 9, 2015
Chryst is a funny man
Paul Chryst: "Are you shivering?" Me: "It's 40 degrees." Chryst: "You don't have to come." Laughter was had by all. #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) April 9, 2015