Tag: Caesar Williams

LOOK: Former Wisconsin CB Caesar Williams in his first Rams practice

Photos of former Wisconsin CB Caesar Williams in his first Rams practice:

Over the last few weeks, most NFL teams have started their offseason practices and several former Wisconsin players will be trying to make the roster as undrafted free agents.

Related: Wisconsin OLB Nick Herbig named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Former Badgers’ cornerback Caesar Williams is a part of this group as he participated in his very first practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday morning. According to photos from his Twitter post, Williams will be wearing No. 35 for the Rams and is joining several former Badgers on the roster.

In his final season at Wisconsin, Williams recorded 28 total tackles, five pass deflections, three interceptions and a forced fumble.

It is very cool to see Williams in his new NFL uniform, and hopefully, the former Badgers’ standout CB can earn his way onto the Rams roster.

WATCH: Wisconsin football releases new uniform ahead of Notre Dame matchup

On Tuesday morning, Wisconsin football released the new away uniform that will be worn against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sept. 25…

On Tuesday morning, Wisconsin football released the new away uniform that will be worn against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sept. 25 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The all-white uniforms modeled by quarterback Graham Mertz, tight end Jake Ferguson and cornerback Caesar Williams, highlight the history of the state of Wisconsin and are also inspired by the Camp Randall Arch. Pictures of the uniforms were originally leaked last week on the College Football Subreddit and quickly made their way around Wisconsin social media.

It will be exciting to see a new uniform this season, especially since the last new design came back in 2019 in the Badgers’ matchup against Northwestern when they wore a throwback design to honor the 150th season of college football.

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A Wisconsin starting CB will use his extra year of eligibility, return for 2021

Wisconsin football senior cornerback Caesar Williams announced today on Twitter that he will use his extra year of eligibility and return to

Over the last few weeks the Wisconsin football program has seen some of their seniors opt to enter the NFL draft and others in the class choose to return to Madison next year, using their extra year of eligibility.

Today an important player to the Badgers’ success decided to return for 2021, as starting cornerback Caesar Williams announced via Twitter his decision to stay.

The senior cornerback has started 20 games for the Badgers in the last three seasons, recording 72 tackles, 6 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 14 passes defended and 1 forced fumble.

His return is significant news for the Badger defense, as the cornerback position was shaping up to be a young one next year.

 

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

For 2020 season review:

Film room: Five things that stood out from the Badgers’ victory over Minnesota

While reviewing film from Wisconsin football’s 20-17 victory against Minnesota a few things stood out, including Graham Mertz’s continued…

The Wisconsin Badgers’ ended their regular season on a high note Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 20-17 in overtime and retaining possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

There was a lot to take away from the contest, including the play of inside linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, Graham Mertz’s continued struggles and the play of key seniors.

Related: Studs and duds from the Badgers’ 20-17 victory over Minnesota

In the end, it’s an impressive win for a team that has overcome a lot this season. It is also a win that helps them carry momentum into their Bowl Game and hopefully into next season.

Related: Will Wisconsin QB Jack Coan stay in the Big Ten? A few landing spots could make sense

Today I went through Saturday’s film and highlighted key plays and miscues by both teams.

Here are five things that stuck out from Wisconsin’s overtime victory:

Projecting Wisconsin’s 2020 Spring Defensive Depth Chart

Who will open up on Wisconsin’s spring depth chart on the defensive side of the football?

Wisconsin’s defense in 2020 will be missing not only two key players but also two key leaders to not only the defense but the entire team. Those two players being 2019 team captains outside linebacker Zack Baun and inside linebacker Chris Orr. Despite Wisconsin losing Baun and Orr to graduation the Badgers still return an impressive nine starters from last year’s defense.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we project what the spring depth chart on defense will look like when the Badgers open up spring practice.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Defensive Line: DE 1. Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand, 2. Matt Henningsen and Isaiah Mullens NT 1. Keeanu Benton 2. Gio Paez

Loudermilk and Rand were able to stay healthy over the course of their redshirt junior seasons and as long as they stay healthy they have established themselves as starters at the defensive end positions. Henningsen used last year’s spring practice to put him in a position to have a terrific redshirt sophomore season. If Henningsen can put together a productive spring like he did in 2019 should allow him to take another step in his development. Mullens appeared in 13 games mostly on special teams as he registered one tackle. With backup defensive end David Pfaff graduating he’ll have a chance in spring football to show why he deserves to be apart of the defensive line rotation. At nose tackle, Keeanu Benton will be going through his first spring practice and will receive plenty of valuable practice reps as Bryson Williams could miss all of spring football as he continues to recover from his left leg injury that he suffered this past season. If Williams can’t go that will mean more reps for redshirt freshman Gio Paez as it will be critical that he takes advantage of his reps.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Linebackers: OLB 1. Noah Burks and Izayah Green-May, 2. Spencer Lytle and Jaylan Franklin ILB 1. Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal 2. Mike Maskalunas and Maema Njongmeta

Christian Bell would’ve had a chance at competing for one of the starting outside linebacker positions opposite of Noah Burks but instead elected to transfer. That leave’s Green-May as the likely starter opposite of Burks when Wisconsin opens spring football. Green-May initially started the 2019 season as a starter but suffered a right arm injury early in the season, which caused him to miss time. Green-May was able to put together a productive fall camp and the practice habits he developed last year will need to continue if he wants to establish himself as the starter once again. Outside linebackers coach Bobby April will also give Franklin and Lytle a look as a starter opposite of Burks. Making it an important spring for both of them as the Badgers look for a starter who can complement Burks. Wisconsin may lose Chris Orr at middle linebacker but the transition between Orr and Leo Chenal should be a smooth one. Chenal gained valuable experience last year as he played as a true freshman. Chenal will receive plenty of reps over spring football and he should be able to take a nice step in his development. Maskalunas will be Chenal’s top competitor for the other starting inside linebacker position as he’s been serviceable during his time at Wisconsin. Njongmeta redshirted last season and will be going through his first spring practice.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Cornerbacks: 1. Faion Hicks and Rachad Wildgoose 2. Caesar Williams and Semar Melvin

Hicks has been a regular starter at cornerback for Wisconsin the past two seasons and that shouldn’t change heading into spring practices. Wildgoose and Williams started eight and seven games respectively a season ago. The trio has been Wisconsin’s most consistent group of cornerbacks. Semar Melvin is coming off a redshirt season but he was able to take advantage of the redshirt rule by playing in four games without burning a year of eligibility. Melvin was up and down, which is understandable but the reps he does receive during spring practice will be invaluable as he looks to build off of his freshman season. Jim Leonhard will also likely rotate in Donte Burton and Deron Harrell too as the starters at cornerback or with the second string cornerbacks too.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Safety: FS 1. Eric Burrell, 2. John Torchio SS 1. Reggie Pearson, 2. Collin Wilder

Wisconsin Football Season Review: Cornerbacks

How did Wisconsin’s cornerbacks play during the 2019 football season?

Wisconsin finished its fifth season under head coach Paul Chryst as Chryst improved his overall record to 52-16 and has a posted a 34-10 record in conference games. After not winning the Big Ten West Division title in 2018 the Badgers were back in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game as the West representative for the fourth time in the last six years since the Big Ten went to its current format.

In this Badgers Wire feature we will examine the play of Wisconsin’s cornerbacks from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:

One of the main questions heading into the 2019 season was if Wisconsin could have two players from the cornerback position emerge and lock down the position. Considering over the 2018 season the Badgers used seven different starting combinations at the cornerback position.

In 2019 not much changed as the Badgers once again used seven different starting combinations. That’s not a bad thing though as the Badgers for a second consecutive year received good production from their cornerbacks as they helped to only allow 187.3 passing yards a game.

Faion Hicks was one of the constants in the starting lineup at cornerback as he started 12 games for the Badgers, Rachad Wildgoose was second with eight starts, and Caesar Williams started the last seven games this season. Redshirt sophomore Deron Harrell (four starts), redshirt freshman Donte Burton (two starts), and true freshman Semar Melvin (two starts) all started at least two games this past season.

The highlight of the season for Williams was the game against Minnesota as he put his best game to date together. As he registered his only interception of the season against the Gophers and broke up four passes.

With two of his four pass breakups coming on consecutive plays against consensus first-team All-Big Ten wide receiver Tyler Johnson. Minnesota attempted a pass on both third and fourth and goal with Tanner Morgan’s pass attempt intended for Johnson. The problem was Williams was there both times ready to break up the pass.

Hicks once again was steady manning his positon at cornerback as he was a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. Hicks finished the season with 32 tackles, one pass breakup, and one tackle for loss. Hicks has the trust of defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jim Leonhard as he is able to play disciplined football and doesn’t get beat easily.

Wildgoose was able to take a nice step from his true freshman season to his sophomore year. Wildgoose was able to become more consistent in his play as he registered his first interception in his career, which came against Michigan State to help preserve the shutout. Wildgoose once again put himself in a good position to make a play on the football as his six pass breakups were the second most amongst the cornerbacks only trailing Williams who had 11.

2020 Wisconsin Cornerbacks

In 2020 Wisconsin once again could utilize multiple starting combinations but the main three will likely be Hicks, Wildgoose, and Williams. Those three were the most consistent in their play a season ago and if they continue to develop their games the Badgers once again should be to tough pass on. It will also be interesting to see how Leonhard utilizes Melvin who will be a redshirt freshman next year. Considering the talent Wisconsin has at the cornerback position he still played in four games and made two starts. If he continues to develop he’ll push for playing time. Burton and Alexander Smith will need to continue to develop the consistency that is needed if they want to push for playing time in 2020.

A.J. Taylor Ruled Out for the Season

The Badgers will be without wide receiver A.J. Taylor for the remainder of the season due to a right leg injury.

Wisconsin will be without senior wide receiver A.J. Taylor for the rest of the season as Taylor will miss the rest of the season because of a right leg injury.

Taylor suffered the injury in Wisconsin’s win over Minnesota as he caught a pass along the sidelines in the first half before falling out of bounds.

With Taylor done for the season, he finishes his senior year with 23 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also carried the football six times for 34 yards.

In his career at Wisconsin Taylor caught 89 career passes for 1,316 yards and 10 touchdowns. With his best statistical season coming last year when he caught career highs in both receptions (32) and receiving yards (521).

When the preliminary injury report was released on Monday Taylor was listed as questionable along with redshirt senior David Moorman and sophomore cornerback Rachad Wildgoose.

On the injury report that was released on Friday Moorman and Wildgoose were both listed as questionable with a left leg injury.

If Moorman can’t go redshirt sophomore Kayden Lyles will fill in at left guard and Caesar Williams who had four pass breakups and an interception against Minnesota will likely get the start in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State.

The Badgers and Buckeyes are set to kickoff at 7 p.m. on Saturday night as the game can be seen on Fox.

Notes: Wisconsin Beats Minnesota on the Road, 38-17

Team notes and individual notes from Wisconsin’s 38-17 road victory over Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS – News and notes from UW Athletics after No. 12 Wisconsin’s 38-17 victory over No. 8 Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM NOTES

  • Today’s captains: senior OLB Zack Baun, junior C Tyler Biadasz, senior ILB Chris Orr, junior RB Jonathan Taylor.
  • Wisconsin secured its 4th Big Ten West Division championship in the 6-year history of the league’s current divisional setup.
  • The Badgers have earned their 6th berth to the Big Ten Football Championship Game in the event’s 9-year history — the most of any league school.
  • Wisconsin moved to 10-2 on the season, reaching the 10-win threshold for the 8th time in the last 11 seasons. Alabama (11), Ohio State (10), Clemson (9) and Oklahoma (9) are the only other Power Five programs with at least 8 seasons of double-digit wins in the last 11 years.
  • Paul Chryst improved to 52-14 (.788) in his fifth season as Wisconsin’s head coach, matching Milt Bruhn (1956-66) for 4th on UW’s all-time wins list.
  • Under Chryst, Wisconsin is:
    1. 34-10 (.773) in Big Ten Conference play
    2. 25-5 (.833) vs. the Big Ten West Division
    3. 10-9 (.526) vs. AP Top 25 opponents
    4. 16-3 (.842) in November games
    5. 19-6 (.760) in road games
    6. 4-1 (.800) vs. Minnesota
  • Wisconsin now owns a 61-60-8 lead in the all time series with Minnesota, just the 2nd time that UW has held a lead in the history of the FBS’ most played rivalry (the Badgers took their first-ever lead, at 60-59-8, following their 2017 win over Minnesota).
  • The Badgers have won 22 of their last 24 meetings with the Gophers, dating to 1995.
  • Wisconsin has won its last 8 games vs. the Gophers in Minneapolis and owns a 6-0 record in TCF Bank Stadium.
  • Since the introduction of Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948, UW leads the series, 44-25-3 (.632).
  • Wisconsin improved to 7-0 vs. Minnesota in games in which both teams are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 (also won in 1942, 1954, 1962, 1999, 2005, 2014).
  • The Badgers have won 5 of their last 7 meetings with Minnesota teams ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll, dating to 1942.
  • The Badgers have won 22 of their last 24 games with a rivalry trophy on the line (vs. Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska), dating to 2010.
  • Wisconsin is 52-14 (.788) since the start of the 2015 season. Only Clemson (66-4, .943), Alabama (65-5, .929), Ohio State (60-6, .909), Oklahoma (56-9, .862) and Georgia (52-14, .788) own higher winning percentages during that 5-year span.
  • UW is 41-11 (.788) in conference play since 2014, when the Big Ten went to its current divisional alignment. Only Ohio State (48-4, .923) has a better league record over that span.
  • The Badgers have won 27 of their last 33 Big Ten games, dating to the 2016 season.
  • UW is 30-6 (.833) vs. the Big Ten West since the league moved to its current divisions in 2014.
  • The Badgers racked up 453 yards of offense, the second-highest total allowed by Minnesota this season. UW topped the 450-yard mark for the fourth straight game.
  • UW threw for 280 yards, its most in a Big Ten game since throwing for 281 against Illinois on October 24, 2015.
  • The Wisconsin defense tallied 5.0 sacks on the day, marking the 4th time posted at least 5.0 sacks in a game this season.
  • The Badgers held Minnesota to 372 total yards and 76 yards rushing. Both marks qualify as the Gophers’ second-lowest totals of the season.
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Who Earned Game Balls from Wisconsin’s 38-17 victory Against Minnesota?

Who earned game balls from Wisconsin’s victory over Minnesota? Jack Coan QB, Caesar Williams CB, Quintez Cephus WR

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – There were many contributors to Wisconsin’s 38-17 win over Minnesota on Saturday, but these were the three key players to the Badgers’ victory over the Gophers:

Jack Coan

Coan put together one of his best games as a Badger against Minnesota as he completed 15 of his 22 pass attempts for a Big Ten season high 280 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly he avoided making a mistake with the football. Coan could do little wrong against Minnesota as he consistently was able to place the football where it needed to be as in the second half he guided Wisconsin on touchdown drives on the Badgers first four offensive possessions. Coan’s ability to make Minnesota pay for slowing Jonathan Taylor down was critical in helping Wisconsin staking control in the game and helping the Badgers bring the axe back to Madison.

Caesar Williams

If Coan was the offensive MVP of the game than Williams deserves to be the defensive MVP. Williams had his best day as a Badger breaking up a career high four passes and he registered his first interception of the season, which Wisconsin turned into three points. Williams two biggest breakups came entering the fourth quarter when he broke up passes intended for Tyler Johnson on third and fourth and goal. Williams ability to make sure Johnson couldn’t register a touchdown on either play allowed Wisconsin to maintain momentum in the game as the Badgers followed up the turnover by downs by Minnesota into a touchdown.

Quintez Cephus

Cephus strong play in the month of November continued against Minnesota as he finished the game with five receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Cephus was targeted early and often as the Gophers simply didn’t have an answer for him in the passing game. It was the second time Cephus has had at least 100 yards receiving in a Big Ten game in his career and it was his second game this season of going over 100 yards receiving too. On Cephus touchdown grab of 47-yards for Wisconsin in the third quarter, the ball was placed perfectly by Coan allowing Cephus to catch it in stride as he was able to walk into the endzone.

Grading Wisconsin’s 38-17 Victory over Minnesota

Handing out grades from Wisconsin’s 38-17 victory over Minnesota in Wisconsin’s regular season finale.

Grading No. 12 Wisconsin’s 38-17 win over No. 8 Minnesota.

Offense: A

Jonathan Taylor was responsible for three of Wisconsin’s five touchdowns but he was not the offensive MVP. That award goes to quarterback Jack Coan.

Coan was simply fantastic against Minnesota as he picked the Gophers secondary apart for a Big Ten season high 280 yards passing on 15-for-22 passing and two touchdowns.

Coan had a clean pocket to work with the entire game as he wasn’t sacked as his two biggest throws of the game came on Wisconsin’s opening possession in the third quarter.

Coan’s first throw resulted in a 31-yard completion to wide receiver Quintez Cephus on first and 10 from Wisconsin’s 9-yard line. Three plays later Coan once again connected with Cephus this time for 47 yards resulting in a touchdown to give Wisconsin a 17-7 lead.

Coan was certainly great for Wisconsin but Cephus certainly had a heck of a game too. Cephus was one of seven players to catch a pass but his five receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown were all team highs. It was Cephus’ second game this season where he went over 100 yards receiving.

Wisconsin certainly needed to have a strong passing attack against Minnesota considering Taylor was held to 76 yards on 18 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Taylor was also responsible for Wisconsin’s first passing touchdown of the game, which went for 28-yards. Wisconsin finished the game with 173 yards on 35 rushing attempts.

One of the unsung heroes from Wisconsin’s offensive performance was fullback Mason Stokke. Stokke finished the game with 44 yards of total offense as his three receptions were the second most on the team resulting in 30 yards. He also carried the football twice for 14 yards.

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