After months of waiting the Wisconsin Badgers had their first padded practice of the 2020 preseason this morning as they begin to ramp up activity in order to prepare for upcoming season.
Head Coach Paul Chryst spoke to the media after the practice and discussed position groups including the inside linebackers, running backs and outside linebackers as well as what is different about this preseason compared to others and what quarterback Jack Coan has done to lead the team this offseason.
Here are notes from Chryst’s press conference, with more in-depth quotes available in the thread below:
THREAD: Notes from HC Paul Chryst's presser (9/30)
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) September 30, 2020
On the inside linebackers:
- “We have three guys that have been around and played, Leo [Chenal] being the youngest but has played a lot of football. With Jack [Sanborn], Leo [Chenal] and Mike Maskalunas you have three guys that certainly have a good sense of how to play in our defense. Then you have a young group…As the season develops it’s about how those young guys develop.”
Even though Chenal is a sophomore it’s looking like the coaching staff has faith in him to produce in the starting rotation. The starting rotation heading into the season, then, is lining up to be Sanborn, Chenal and Maskalunas.
Chryst noted that there are two clear groups: “One that has a really good understanding and then a younger group that we like and like their talent. I think there are some question marks certainly after the top three.”
On the running backs:
- “Nakia [Watson]’s played a lot of football for us, and yet all these guys’ roles are yet to be defined. I appreciate Isaac Guerendo and how he’s started to feel comfortable at the position. Between those three you hope to be productive.”
Chryst also noted four-star freshman Jalen Berger as a guy who’s new to the college game and emphasized the role Groshek has played as a leader on the team and in the running back room.
On Jack Coan and his leadership:
- “I’ve loved the way that he’s approached [the offseason]. It’s been with a purpose…I think he’s done a ton in the meeting room but when you get a chance to start doing it that’s when the learning takes place. But I’ve loved his approach and how he’s taken care of his business. He’s been around enough, cares a ton about this team and knows how to help lead and help everyone on this team be the best they can be.”
In a unique offseason having a senior return at quarterback is a big plus for any college team. It’s clear through Chryst’s comments that he’s been thrilled with how Coan has handled the offseason and the way he has led the team through a challenging offseason.
On the unique preseason:
- Noted differences including padded practices starting during the middle of school–saying it’s like a game week during a normal season–and said there’s overall been a different rhythm to this year in terms of ramping up activity while also taking into account the unique timeline.
On the outside linebackers:
- On Noah Burks: “Noah was productive last year in a different way than Zack [Baun] was…The first thing is to build off that. He doesn’t have to be someone he’s not…I like the way he’s approached [the season].”
On the rest of the group: Called Izayah Green-May “legitimate,” mentioned C.J. Goetz and Spencer Lytle as guys in the mix that have a chance to emerge and play a role. Also expressed excitement about young guys including Kaden Johnson and Nick Herbig.
Chryst finished by noting several times the job outside linebackers coach Bobby April does coaching the unit.