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Wisconsin releases depth chart for season opener

And so game week begins.

Jake Kocorowski

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