Wisconsin football entered the spring portion of the 2021 offseason with familiar faces all over the field.
Graham Mertz returns at quarterback, both Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn return at inside linebacker, Caesar Williams and Faion Hicks return at cornerback and more. In total, 15 of the 22 starters from 2020 returned including eight of the offense’s starting 11.
Related: 2021 Wisconsin football position preview: Running backs and fullbacks
But there is one position where both 2020 starters are gone, a position which has become a large focus of this offseason.
That position is defensive end.
With 2020 seniors Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand graduated, Jim Leonhard and his defensive staff are now moving towards the 2021 season with two starters to replace at the position and not much experience to choose from.
Junior Matt Henningsen is the most experienced of the group with 25 games played in his career, though he only appeared in two games last season due to a season-ending biceps injury. After him, Isaiah Mullens has played in only four career games at the college level and Oregon transfer Isaac Townsend and redshirt freshman Cade McDonald haven’t played in any.
Defensive line coach Ross Kolodziej met with the media today and discussed the defensive end position, highlighting one guy that has impressed this spring, someone who has gone under most people’s radars thus far.
He is former three-star recruit Rodas Johnson, a player that has recorded just one tackle in his collegiate career.
DL coach Ross Kolodziej says DE Rodas Johnson has had an "unbelievable" first three practices of spring. Said he has to keep it up.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 5, 2021
Johnson came to the Wisconsin program in 2019 as a three-star defensive tackle out of Columbus, Ohio. Although his No. 432 ranking in the class and No. 32 at his position didn’t scream eventual impact starter, his coaches and peers had a long list of good things to say today about his play this spring.
#Badgers DL Bryson Williams also praised DE Rodas Johnson's performance in spring so far:
He's stepped up this spring. Ton of energy, enthusiasm, running to the ball. Was running faster than some linebackers in practice on Saturday.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 5, 2021
My current prediction sees Matt Henningsen, Isaiah Mullens and Isaac Townsend leading the Badger defensive end rotation. But if an underclassman like Johnson can step into a role and potentially break out this season, the defensive line should be in for another really productive campaign.
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