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Tanner McEvoy might play on defense, as well as wide receiver

Gary Andersen hopped on the weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference to hit on a variety of topics ahead of Saturday's season-opener. Most notable was the ever-expanding

By Mike Fiammetta

The first weekly Big Ten football coaches teleconference of the season took place Tuesday, allowing those so inclined to delve into the minds of each and every conference boss. Gary Andersen discussed a variety of topics Wisconsin faces heading into Saturday's season-opener vs. UMass, but none might've been more intriguing than the latest update on Tanner McEvoy.

The last we heard, McEvoy was moving to wide receiver after failing to finish among the top two candidates for Wisconsin's starting quarterback job. McEvoy played receiver and defensive back at Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey, and his 6-foot-6, 223-pound frame seems like a worthwhile solution to the Badgers' current lack of depth at the former.

Alas, the position switching might not be over, though -- Andersen said McEvoy could also line up somewhere on defense, considering his varied skill set.

"He's still going to do some things at quarterback, without question," Andersen said. "That's something we want and Tanner wants.

"But he is going to be involved as a wide receiver. We'll see him in some different positions. He's so athletic, we need to get him on the field.

"It's not out of the question that you may see Tanner back there doing a few things in even some defensive situations."

Andersen added that McEvoy "was very open" about the latest switch. Of course, his previous "familiarity" with defensive back helps assuage some concerns, though those quotes are there for a reason -- McEvoy came to Wisconsin as a quarterback with limited experience at the position, and since arriving he hasn't received steady reps at just one spot.

The bright side is, of course, his three remaining years of eligibility. The quarterback depth chart will only grow more crowded as highly touted incoming recruits D.J. Gillins (2014) and Austin Kafentzis (2015) begin to arrive. Joel Stave, UW's presumed Week 1 starter, is also just a sophomore. Bart Houston, probably Wisconsin's current third-string quarterback, is only a redshirt freshman.

Notes, in short form:

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