Tag: Cole Van Lanen

Wisconsin Football Season Review: Offensive Line

Reviewing the play of Wisconsin’s offensive line over the 2019 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 offensive line from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:

Wisconsin entering the 2019 season had to replace four starters along their offensive line as the only starter to return was center Tyler Biadasz.

Wisconsin ended up starting seven different offensive line combinations over the course of the season, which includes six different starting combinations over their first eight games.

The Badgers officially settled on an offensive line combination starting with the Illinois game that included from left to right Cole Van Lanen, David Moorman, Tyler Biadasz, Jason Erdmann, and Logan Bruss.

That combination started five games for the Badgers over the season. Despite the constant shuffling to begin the year the Badgers offensive line still was able to exert their dominance as they helped clear the way for Wisconsin to average 233.1 yards on the ground and for Wisconsin’s offense to average 433.2 yards of total offense.

The one player for Wisconsin to start every single game this season was Biadasz at center. Biadasz has started 41 career games for the Badgers and over his time at Wisconsin emerged as one of the top centers in college football.

Biadasz was able to accomplish a first for an offensive lineman at Wisconsin, which was winning the Rimington Award, which is given each year to the nation’s top center.

Although Wisconsin’s offensive line was consistent for the most part this season the Badgers worst performance came against Ohio State in the regular season. Against the Buckeyes, they allowed a season high five sacks as Ohio State was also able to hold the Badgers to a season low 191 yards of total offense.

But in the rematch with Ohio State, they only allowed two sacks and registered 432 yards of total offense on 71 plays.

2020 Wisconsin Offensive Line

Wisconsin for a second consecutive year saw one of their offensive linemen declare early for the NFL Draft as Biadasz decided to forego his senior year. Biadasz will be difficult to replace due to his consistency at the center position making spring football an important first step in finding his replacement for the 2020 season. The Badgers also lose Erdmann and Moorman at the guard positions as the two started 12 and eight games respectively last season. Josh Seltzner and Kayden Lyles who both started four games last year will likely get the first crack at starting at the guard position. Lyles will also likely get a look at center too. Spring football will also allow for offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph to play with a variety of different offensive line combinations. Based on those combinations will give Badger fans a better idea of who might be starting on the interior once fall camp does open up.

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Jack Nelson

Wisconsin received Jack Nelson’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Stoughton (WI) High School offensive lineman Jack Nelson.

Note: All notes or stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Nelson chose Wisconsin over other Offers from: Michigan

Nelson’s High School Accolades: Four–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…No. 2–ranked prospect in Wisconsin…Joe Thomas Award winner as state’s top senior offensive lineman…First–team all–state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior in 2019…Earned invitation to 2020 All–American Bowl

Nelson’s Impact as a Badger: It didn’t take Nelson long to select Wisconsin as he received his offer from the Badgers in October of 2017 and he made his commitment to Wisconsin later that month on Halloween.

Nelson’s dad, Todd played for Wisconsin from 1984-to-1988 as Nelson grew up a Badger fan. With Nelson shutting his recruitment down so early it didn’t allow for him to have his recruitment play out as Nelson received his only other offer from Michigan in February of 2018. If Nelson hadn’t shut his recruitment down so early he would have received double-digit offers as he’ll be one of two Badgers to represent Wisconsin at the prestigious All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Nelson who’s listed as a 6’7″ 260 pounds offensive tackle plans to enroll early at Wisconsin. Nelson projects to be your prototypical Wisconsin offensive tackle as he has the right frame to consistently win his battle in the trenches. Before he’s able to do that at the college level he’ll need to continue to gain strength and work on his technique.

Nelson thanks to his size was able to dominate his opponents at the high school level but he won’t be able to get away with that at the college level. With the strength, Nelson will gain once he gets on campus and him being coached up by offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph will allow for him to be able to hold his own at the point of attack and be able to consistently win in the trenches.

Although Nelson has a bright future at Wisconsin he likely won’t see the field as a true freshman. Starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen could leave early for the NFL and even if he does Nelson would still have to beat out redshirt junior Tyler Beach or redshirt freshman Logan Brown to possibly earn a spot in the rotation. Nelson will have his chance of earning a spot on Wisconsin’s offensive line following next season as he’s capable of being a multi-year starter.

Three Wisconsin Players Named to All-Big Ten Offensive Team

Three players for Wisconsin were named to All-Big Ten Offensive teams on Wednesday. Jonathan Taylor RB, Tyler Biadasz C, Cole Van Lanen LT

After the Big Ten Conference released its All-Big Ten defensive team and special teams selections on Tuesday it was the offenses turn on Wednesday.

Not surprising Wisconsin was well represented as for the third straight year running back Jonathan Taylor was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection. In addition, Taylor for a second consecutive year was awarded the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year.

Center Tyler Biadasz joined Taylor as a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection while starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen was named to the second-team All-Big Ten by the media but was an honorable selection by the coaches.

Taylor, like he has throughout his career at Wisconsin, has been able to terrorize opposing Big Ten defenses as through Big Ten play he has rushed for 1,338 yards on 225 carries and has rushed for 11 touchdowns. Taylor entering this year was strictly known as a runner but he was able to prove that he’s capable as a receiver too as he finished the regular season with 201 receiving yards on 22 catches and five touchdowns.

In order for Taylor to have success, it began with the performances of Biadasz, Van Lanen, along with the rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line. In particular, Biadasz and Van Lanen helped anchor Wisconsin’s offensive line and helped pave the way for Wisconsin to average 417.4 yards of total offense over conference play as 238.4 of those yards came on the ground.

Other Wisconsin players to receive honorable mentions on offense were right tackle Logan Bruss, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, and tight end Jake Ferguson were consensus honorable mention selections. Jack Coan was an honorable mention selection by the media.

Who are Three Offensive Players to Watch when Wisconsin Plays Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game?

Who are three offensive players to watch when Wisconsin plays Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game?

Here are three offensive players for the Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Ohio State this weekend:

1. Jack Coan, QB

Coan put together his best performance as a Badger this season against Minnesota as he did a great job of dissecting the Gophers secondary and picking them apart. Coan will need to be able to deliver another similar performance against Ohio State if the Badgers want any chance of pulling the upset. Coan wasn’t perfect against Ohio State in the first meeting as he finished the game 10-for-17 for 108 yards and a touchdown. Coan also lost a fumble on a strip-sack as he was sacked a season high five times against the Buckeyes. Coan will need to try and do a better job of feeling the pressure making it important that he gets rid of the football in order to avoid a sack. The last thing Wisconsin’s offense can do against Ohio State’s talented defense is by consistently having to work behind the chains.

2. Cole Van Lanen, LT

Van Lanen and the rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line will have the difficult task of blocking Ohio State’s talented defensive line. Van Lanen like the rest of Wisconsin’s offense didn’t have his best performance against the Buckeyes. Van Lanen will have a chance to redeem himself as he gets ready to try and neutralize defensive end Chase Young. Young has wreaked havoc against opposing Big Ten offenses this year as he leads the Big Ten in both tackles for loss (2.07) and sacks (1.64). In order for Wisconsin’s offense to generate a rhythm, it will begin upfront and will depend on the success by Van Lanen and the rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line. If the Badgers can’t consistently get the better push it will prevent Wisconsin’s ground game from getting into a rhythm or allowing Coan the time he needs in the pocket to have success.

3. Jonathan Taylor, RB

In Wisconsin’s first meeting against Ohio State, Taylor was held to a season low 52 yards on 20 carries. In order for Wisconsin’s offense to have success, it will begin with Coan and his success in the passing game to help Taylor have success. If Coan can prove that he’s capable of beating Ohio State with his arm it should open up rushing lanes for Taylor. Making it important that Taylor is able to take advantage of each carry he receives to make sure he consistently picks up positive yards. Taylor’s ability to not get tackled behind the line of scrimmage will be critical as the Badgers offense needs to be able to take advantage of each offensive possession against Ohio State.

Bryson Williams to Miss Game Against Minnesota

Bryson Williams set to miss his third straight game with a left leg injury against Minnesota.

Wisconsin for a third straight game will be without starting nose tackle Bryson Williams with a left leg injury. Williams sustained his injury during Wisconsin’s win against Iowa.

True freshman nose tackle Keeanu Benton will fill in for Williams as Benton has played well this season. Benton on the year has registered 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack as his biggest impact has been his ability to help open up rushing lanes for Wisconsin’s linebackers to make plays in the backfield.

Outsdie of Williams being listed as out for Wisconsin the Badgers also listed starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen and starting cornerback Faion Hicks both as questionable with a head injury.

Van Lanen missed Wisconsin’s win over Purdue as redshirt sophomore Tyler Beach filled in as the starter at left tackle. If Van Lanen can’t go against Minnesota Beach will once again receive the start, which would be his third start.

Hicks has started nine games this season and has appeared in all 11 games this season. On the season Hicks has registered 19 tackles, one pass breakup, and one tackle for loss.

Wisconsin has started five different cornerback combinations this year and if Hicks can’t go Rachad Wildgoose who has started two games this season will likely be the starter opposite of Caesar Williams who has started the last four games.

Cole Van Lanen to Miss Game Against Purdue

Wisconsin will be without starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen when they play Purdue.

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Wisconsin was already going to be without starting nose tackle Bryson Williams, as he’ll miss his second straight game and fifth overall this season. Wisconsin can add one more name to that list, as starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen will also miss the game against the Boilermakers with a head injury.

Van Lanen wasn’t listed on the preliminary injury report that was released on Monday. He will be replaced by redshirt sophomore Tyler Beach in the starting lineup.

This will mark Beach’s second career start for Wisconsin as he started earlier in the year against Illinois at right tackle. Overall, Beach has appeared in 23 career games for Wisconsin.

Losing Van Lanen hurts, as Beach will be counted on to try and help neutralize Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis, who leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss per game at 1.57.

There was one subtraction from the injury report that was released on Thursday, as true freshman cornerback Semar Melvin (head) who was listed as questionable on the preliminary injury report was taken off the report.

Who are Three Offensive Players to Watch when Wisconsin Travels to Nebraska?

Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Nebraska. Quintez Cephus WR, Cole Van Lanen LT, Jack Coan QB

Here are three offensive players for the Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Nebraska.

1) Quintez Cephus WR

Cephus had a productive game for Wisconsin against Iowa as he caught five passes for the second time over the last three games. On the year Cephus has caught 32 passes for 504 yards both career highs. Cephus will look to continue to add to those numbers when Wisconsin plays Nebraska as the Cornhuskers are allowing an average of 201.5 passing yards per game. Cephus will have his opportunities to have success against the Cornhuskers secondary as it will be up to him creating that separation and possibly helping stretch the field too.

2) Cole Van Lanen LT

Wisconsin will rely on the running game to help control the time of possession but that won’t happen if Wisconsin doesn’t have success along the line of scrimmage. Wisconsin’s offensive line will have a chance of accomplishing that due to the Cornhuskers allowing 219.5 rushing yards over conference play, which ranks 13th. The Badgers will run toward Van Lanen’s side at times making it important that Van Lanen consistently gets the better leverage and creating rushing lanes to allow for Jonathan Taylor to have success.

3) Jack Coan QB

Coan was up and down against Iowa and in order for the Badgers to stop their two game road losing streak, Coan will need to deliver a more consistent performance. Coan had two turnovers in Wisconsin’s win over Iowa extending his streak of at least one turnover in three straight games. Nebraska has registered five interceptions over conference play. Coan can’t kill offensive drives by turning the football over and allow Adrian Martinez a chance of creating something for the Cornhuskers offense that’s averaging 402 yards of total offense over Big Ten play.