Wisconsin football 2020 returnee profile: Boyd Dietzen

During the summer doldrums of sports news, many college football fans are starved for news and information regarding their favorite teams.

With that in mind, we at B5Q have decided to take a more detailed look at each walk-on contributor and scholarship player on the Wisconsin Badgers football roster for 2020 in a running feature, our 2020 returnee profiles.

Each weekday we will breakdown one player on the football roster to look back at their recruiting process, their career as a Badger to this juncture and lastly preview their potential contribution to the team in 2020 and beyond.

Up next on the docket, defensive end Boyd Dietzen.

Photo by Matt Belz

Name: Boyd Dietzen

Position: defensive end

2020 eligibility: redshirt sophomore

Recruiting info out of HS: 247 composite 3-star, No. 26 strong-side defensive end, Kimberly

2018 recruitment: The No. 1 overall prospect from the state of Wisconsin in 2018, Boyd Dietzen was an early priority for the Badgers in the spring of 2017. Then a junior, Dietzen received a flurry of offers after helping lead Kimberly to their third straight WIAA Division I state championship, but it took him less than 24 hours to commit to the Badgers after earning an offer back in February of 2017. He announced his committed via Twitter on the same day as fellow 2018 in-state prospect C.J. Goetz.

Dietzen had other reported offers from Iowa State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois and Syracuse.

Career statistics: 14 games played

2019 statistics: 14 games played

Player overview: The cousin of former Wisconsin offensive lineman Jon Dietzen, Boyd Dietzen was the fourth highest rated recruit in the 2018 class. A standout defensive lineman in the prep ranks, he redshirted his first year on campus following an undefeated high school career that included four state championships.

In his redshirt freshman season, Dietzen played in all 14 contests on special teams, but did not record any statistical measures.

A quick and athletic defensive end, Dietzen has added 30 pounds since stepping on campus and according to the initial spring roster available to the media he has filled out to 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds.

Best case scenario for 2020: After seeing time in special teams in 2019, Dietzen should continue to gain playing experience in 2020. With senior leaders like Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand, and playmaker Matt Henningsen now a junior in front of him on the depth chart, Dietzen should be vying for reps with Isaiah Mullens to round out the two-deep at defensive end.

Adding additional weight could propel him into a player that can make a an impact rotationally at a position of strength for Wisconsin. With extended playing time up for grabs in 2021, this season should be looked at as another opportunity to gain invaluable reps.

Likely role on team in 2020: Boyd Dietzen has had the opportunity to wait in the wings behind some upperclassmen while he shapes himself physically. Now a sophomore in terms of eligibility, he should see a similar role to David Pfaff from a year ago. He is unlikely to be a starter this season unless injuries plague the group, but he is definitely a player that has abilities that make him a player potentially be starter in 2021 or 2022 if he continues to progress.

The defensive line is a major source of strength for the Badgers next season, and having talented and capable players like Dietzen bolster the depth immensely.