Wisconsin depth chart shows Jonathan Taylor listed as No. 1 running back, Chris Orr as first-team inside linebacker

A first-year phenom sits atop the Wisconsin Badgers’ depth chart.

True freshman Jonathan Taylor was listed alone as the No. 1 tailback on the Wisconsin depth chart released on Monday. Redshirt junior Chris James and redshirt sophomore Bradrick Shaw were both listed as co-No. 2 running backs.

In his first three games, Taylor has rushed for 438 yards on 53 carries with five touchdowns. That ties him for 15th in the nation in rushing yards, and his 146 yards per game rank fifth in the FBS.

Redshirt senior tight end Troy Fumagalli was asked when he thought Taylor could be a special player. As mentioned previously by other players, a scrimmage in August shined light on the potential of the New Jersey native.

“I don’t know if any of you guys were there, he broke like eight tackles two times, and I was like, wow.” said Fumagalli, one of Wisconsin’s team captains. “To go against our defense, and I’ve played against that defense every day for four or five years now, and to see that, I think that was kind of the breaking point for him when we said that this guy can do a lot of special things this year.”

On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt sophomore Chris Orr is listed as one of the first-team inside linebackers alongside T.J. Edwards. Redshirt junior Ryan Connelly was one for the BYU game. Orr has started two of Wisconsin’s three games and currently leads the team with 17 tackles.

Left guard Jon Dietzen was still listed with the first-team, though he remains questionable for Saturday’s game with a right leg injury. He was initially designated as questionable before being downgraded to out for Wisconsin’s win over BYU on Sept. 16.

Redshirt junior P.J. Rosowski, though questionable as well with a right leg injury, is listed with the first-team for kickoff duties. Redshirt sophomore Zach Hintze has handled them the past two contests, recording eight touchbacks in 13 kickoffs.

The full depth chart is listed below.