Several Wisconsin true freshmen shined for UW during Saturday’s 27-13 victory over South Dakota.
Among the first-year standouts were running back Darrion Dupree, running back Dilin Jones and offensive lineman Kevin Heywood. All three saw some of the first action of their collegiate careers in the two-score victory at Camp Randall.
Dupree, a four-star recruit and 2023 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year, rushed six times for 24 yards while Dilin Jones, ESPN’s No. 6 running back in the class of 2024, logged four carries for 14 yards.
Heywood, meanwhile, appeared in his second collegiate game and recorded 13 snaps at right tackle without allowing a single pressure.
ProFootballFocus awarded Heywood a 74.3 overall grade for his Week 2 effort, the second highest by any offensive player on the Badgers behind only running back Cade Yacamelli.
https://twitter.com/TheRealNickOsen/status/1832776585893830773
While Dupree and Jones failed to reach the end zone, their respective introductions to Wisconsin’s ground game are certainly a positive sign going forward. Both look like they could morph into mainstays for Luke Fickell’s team moving into the future, especially fall camp standout Dupree.
The two could see a few snaps in Wisconsin’s pivotal Week 3 match vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 14 at Camp Randall.