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MADISON — The No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers released their first depth chart of the 2018 season on Sunday as the team prepares for its season opener against Western Kentucky on Friday.
Among some of the notable updates, Jon Dietzen and Cole Van Lanen are listed as the No. 1 left tackles with the “OR” designation between them.
At cornerback, Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams are listed on the first team. Redshirt sophomore Dontye Carriere-Williams is listed as a second-team corner along with sophomore Madison Cone. Redshirt freshman Scott Nelson will be the starting free safety opposite redshirt senior strong safety D’Cota Dixon.
For special teams, Kendric Pryor and Jack Dunn are pegged as the No. 1 kickoff and punt returners, respectively. Pryor is the No. 2 punt returner, with true freshman Aron Cruickshank as the back-up kickoff returner.
Wisconsin depth chart (offense) vs. Western Kentucky
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
|---|---|---|
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
| Quarterback | Alex Hornibrook | Jack Coan |
| Running Back | Jonathan Taylor | Taiwan Deal or Chris James or Garrett Groshek |
| Fullback | Alec Ingold | Mason Stokke |
| Wide Receiver 1 | Kendric Pryor | Adam Krumholz |
| Wide Receiver 2 | A.J. Taylor | Jack Dunn |
| Tight End (Y) | Kyle Penniston | Jake Ferguson |
| Left Tackle | Jon Dietzen or Cole Van Lanen | |
| Left Guard | Michael Deiter | David Moorman |
| Center | Tyler Biadasz | Jason Erdmann |
| Right Guard | Beau Benzschawel | Micah Kapoi |
| Right Tackle | David Edwards | Logan Bruss |
More observations on the offense:
- While the rest of the first-team line seems set, redshirt junior David Moorman is listed as the No. 2 left guard, Jason Erdmann as the back-up center, redshirt senior Micah Kapoi as the No. 2 right guard, and redshirt freshman Logan Bruss as the No. 2 right tackle.
- Redshirt sophomore Mason Stokke switched positions from inside linebacker and is now the No. 2 fullback.
- HA! I was right with my projection of a three-man RB2. #CopOutMy[ExpletiveDeleted]
- With Quintez Cephus and Danny Davis suspended, Adam Krumholz and Dunn bumped up to the second-team receivers (as expected).
Wisconsin depth chart (defense) vs. Western Kentucky
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
|---|---|---|
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
| Defensive End | Matt Henningsen | David Pfaff |
| Nose Tackle | Olive Sagapolu | Bryson Williams |
| Defensive End | Kayden Lyles | Aaron Vopal |
| Outside Linebacker | Andrew Van Ginkel | Christian Bell |
| Inside Linebacker | T.J. Edwards | Chris Orr |
| Inside Linebacker | Ryan Connelly | Mike Maskalunas |
| Outside Linebacker | Zack Baun | Tyler Johnson |
| Cornerback | Caesar Williams | Dontye Carriere-Williams |
| Strong Safety | D'Cota Dixon | Reggie Pearson |
| Free Safety | Scott Nelson | Eric Burrell |
| Cornerback | Faion Hicks | Madison Cone |
More observations on the defense:
- The first-team defensive line is what we saw during most of the fall camp practices open to the media. I’m not surprised, and actually, not a lot surprises at all from my perspective with the depth chart here.
- With Patrick Johnson out (head), true freshman Reggie Pearson and redshirt sophomore Eric Burrell are listed as No. 2 strong safety and free safety, respectively.
Wisconsin depth chart (specialists) vs. Western Kentucky
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
|---|---|---|
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
| Punter | Anthony Lotti | Connor Allen |
| Field Goal | Rafael Gaglianone | Collin Larsh |
| Kickoff Specialist | Zach Hintze | P.J. Rosowski |
| Longsnapper | Adam Bay | Josh Bernhagen |
| Holder | Connor Allen | P.J. Rosowski |
| Punt Return | Jack Dunn | Kendric Pryor |
| Kickoff Return | Kendric Pryor | Aron Cruickshank |