A thorough* explanation of why Rafael Gaglianone is worth watching in 2018

We are less than a month away from the Wisconsin Badgers starting up fall camp, and the 2018 edition of this team could continue to make its presence known not just in the Big Ten Conference but also in the College Football Playoff conversation.

As we count down the days until the pads and helmets are back on, this series is dedicated to the players fans should keep an eye on—regardless of if they’re already household names.

Jake and Mike didn’t even ask me to participate in this series of posts but I inserted myself here anyways and I don’t want any lip from y’all.

Why Rafael Gaglianone is worth watching in 2018

He is going to dance all over Michigan’s—or someone better than the maybe third-best team in the B1G East—grave after banging home a 69-yard field goal. Listen to the podcast we did with Gaglianone where I try and get him to say something mean about Michigan and he won’t because he’s a true gentleman!

[Editor’s note: Of course, Drew is also excited by the fact Gaglianone currently ranks second in UW history in field goals made (60) and fourth all-time in points scored (348) heading into the 2018 season. He comes into this year second all-time in field-goal percentage (80 percent, 60-for-75) and holds the best mark in UW history in extra-point percentage (98.8 percent ... seriously, he’s only missed two attempts out of 170).

By the end of this season, Gaglianone could ascend to the top of several Wisconsin kicking records and cement himself as one of the best place-kickers in school history, if he isn’t already. He already is the proud owner of the most game-winning field goals (four), and with six successful field goals, the Brazilian will become Wisconsin’s all-time leader in that category. Not to mention, he needs 40 extra points to break Philip Welch’s school record of 207.

Depending upon how explosive Wisconsin’s offense is this season with a Heisman-caliber running back in Jonathan Taylor, an All-American offensive line, a quartet of talented wide receivers, and a redshirt junior quarterback with another year under his belt, the single-season record for extra points (67 by Welch during the 2010 season) should also be in reach.

But, uh, mostly what Drew said.]