Tag: fall camp

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell: Badgers in a ‘really good place’ entering final week of fall camp

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media on Saturday as the Badgers concluded the third week of their 2024 fall training camp.

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media on Saturday as the Badgers concluded the third week of their 2024 fall training camp.

One final week remains before game-week preparation officially begins on Aug. 26. Wisconsin then opens its season on Friday, Aug. 30 at home against Western Michigan.

Related: Projecting Wisconsin Badgers two-deep depth chart heading into Week 4 of 2024 fall camp

Fickell’s session with the media came after the Badgers’ last full scrimmage of the fall camp session. He explained where the team stands after the scrimmage, now entering the final stretch before the upcoming season kicks off.

“[Saturday’s scrimmage] was one of the last days where we could really truly kind of get after it in a way that we would like to before we find out on [Aug. 30] what we really got,” Fickell said. “That doesn’t mean we’re done. That doesn’t mean camp is over. There’s a different mode here as we move forward. I think we’re in a really good place.”

Wisconsin’s head coach continued to explain the balance between preparing for the upcoming games, and ensuring health before the schedule begins.

“I think it’s a little bit unique now to say ‘okay, we have to continue to work, we have to continue to do things we need to do.’ But we also need to get ourselves healthy. We need to try to find a way to get our legs and our minds back in this next phase of where we’re headed here,” Fickell continued. “So we can take advantage of not having our guys in school — that routine where we can spend more time. Not too much [time]. But spend more time. Where that’s even taking care of themselves physically. And that’s what we have to do.”

The Badgers open their 2024 season against Western Michigan, ESPN SP+’s No. 110-ranked team in the country (out of 133). They then host South Dakota, the No. 5-ranked team in the FCS preseason coaches poll.

All of that leads to Week 3 against No. 5 Alabama, arguably the biggest game at Camp Randall in over a decade.

Any of Wisconsin’s remaining preseason work before the days leading up to Aug. 30 will almost certainly be done with the Alabama matchup in mind.

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Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel applauds continuity entering year two with the Badgers

Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel is ‘impressed with how many truly understand the defense’

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel met with the media after the Badgers training camp practice on Thursday.

One focus of his comments was the difference between this period and this time in 2023, back when he was entering his first season with the program.

An obvious progression between the two is continuity. The experienced defensive coordinator highlighted how he’s ‘impressed with how many of [the Badgers’ players] really truly understand the defense’ compared to this time last year.

Related: Final 2024 Big Ten football standings projection using ESPN’s FPI matchup predictor

“That’s exciting to see,” Tressel continued. “We are emphasizing, we need a whole bunch of 1Bs, because 2s are the guys that are backups that don’t get on the field on Saturdays. 1Bs are the guys that you absolutely set in a rotation, and you see more of those now than you did at this time last year.”

Tressel’s comments make sense given the full year between his evaluations. A defensive system that was brand-new from Jim Leonhard’s classic 3-4 scheme was only seven months old last year. Now, it’s one year and seven months old. That, and many of Wisconsin’s defensive leaders returned after 2023. Star safety Hunter Wohler, cornerback Ricardo Hallman, linebacker Jake Chaney, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. and others have not only spent more time practicing in the system, but also played it for 13 games last season.

That continuity at the top of the defense is sure to help new transfers and young players adapt to the scheme. Instead of the entire team having to learn a new scheme together, now the majority of the depth chart is already familiar with what is expected.

This year-to-year progression is expected to lead to better results for Wisconsin’s defense.

The Badgers finished 2023 ranked No. 21 in scoring defense with 20.2 points allowed per game and No. 39 in total defense with 344.0 yards allowed per game. The unit was good, but it didn’t reach the program’s typical level of dominance.

With continuity and more talent on the front seven, that dominant form should return in 2024.

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Kenneth Grant: ‘The offense is still giving us a run for our money;’ says demise is greatly exaggerated

This could be very encouraging news for #Michigan in 2024. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was news last week when sixth-year Michigan football safety Quinten Johnson said that the offense beat the defense on the first day of pads in fall camp.

Conventional wisdom has been that the offense would take a major step back in 2024 after losing so many playmakers. J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson and the whole starting offensive line moved on to the NFL. That meant the Wolverines would lean on the defense early in the season. By all accounts, the defense could be one of Michigan’s best of all time, yet the offense is still winning battles.

If that holds form into the actual season, Michigan might be in better shape than many anticipate.

Now slated to be one of the leaders of the defense, junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant insists the defense is not ahead of the offense in fall camp, saying it’s about even thus far. That has caused a little strife for those on his side of the ball.

“I’ll say 50-50, still,” Grant said. “I mean, like the other day, the offense gave us a run for our money. Coach Wink kind of got on our (expletive deleted) about that! He got on our (expletive deleted) about that. So, the offense is still giving us a run for our money. So, yeah, definitely.”

When that happens, how does new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale respond?

One of the fears of many traumatized Michigan fans is Martindale, who influenced the defense installed by Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter but is known to be more aggressive, will look like Don Brown in his later years, when solid offenses were able to uncharacteristically gash the Wolverines due to his simplicity and over-aggressiveness. Martindale denies that’s the case, but when it comes to his players, he corrects them in what Grant calls “keep it real” meetings.

“He’s not much of a big yeller. But when he’s mad, you can tell he’s mad,” Grant said. “He turns into more of a stern voice — stern voice. So, it’s just (that) he brings it up. We have (a) ‘keep it real’ meeting, just to see what he sees and what we see out there. So, just being able to have those ‘keep it real’ meetings and to understand what he wants and to understand what we have to do plays a big role.”

To make the College Football Playoff for a fourth year, Michigan will need the defense to live up to its potential. And if it is the case that it is playing up to potential in fall camp and the offense is just better than people realize, there’s even perhaps a chance that the maize and blue could repeat as national champions — despite the crowded field.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell discusses significant update to Badgers quarterback competition

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell discusses significant update to Badgers quarterback competition

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell avoided naming veteran transfer Tyler Van Dyke the Badgers’ prohibitive starting quarterback on Sunday evening when he met with the media.

His comments came after the team finished its satellite camp at UW-Platteville, as it now prepares to return to campus in Madison for the final two weeks of preparation before beginning the season on Aug. 30.

Related: Full previews for every Wisconsin football position group entering 2024 season

Fickell’s comments also came after Sunday’s practice saw a notable development in the ongoing quarterback competition between Van Dyke and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke: Van Dyke handled all of the reps with the first-team offense.

Fickell had previously noted that the position’s depth chart would become clear through camp reps, as opposed to him outwardly announcing a starter. Connecting those pieces together, Van Dyke appears to have emerged as the Badgers clear starter entering the season.

Wisconsin’s head coach, however, carefully avoided calling the race.

“I just said as we head back to campus, the human element is what starts to creep in to everybody’s program,” Fickell said. “As you get closer to games, you start to solidify who’s in what spot. That’s the tough thing. At some point in time we will have a ‘1’ quarterback and a ‘1b.'”

Fickell went on to note that the Badgers have “two really good, really capable quarterbacks.” Again, avoiding officially naming a starter despite the practice reps leaning toward the veteran.

Van Dyke taking the Badgers’ first offensive snap of the season would be no surprise. The former ACC Rookie of the Year has three years of starting experience, 30 starts, 7,469 career passing yards and 54 career touchdown passes.

While his 2023 season at Miami was a struggle, the Badgers prioritized him in the transfer portal this winter. Adding an established veteran in today’s age of college football usually means that player starts Week 1, while the younger recruits in the room continue to develop.

All indications are that will be the case with the Badgers in Week 1, whether or not Fickell officially calls the race before that date.

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2024 class top running back set to make an impact for Oklahoma

Former top running back turning heads early in his Sooners career.

Early in fall camp, the Oklahoma Sooners running back group is in a much better spot, simply because it’s healthier. Last August, both [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] were dealing with nagging offseason injuries, which kept them limited into the season.

As the Sooners prepare for 2024, the two four-star backs from the 2022 recruiting class appear healthy and ready to lead the way. But the running back position has better depth as well, with the development of [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] and the additions of [autotag]Sam Franklin[/autotag], [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] and [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag]. Tatum was a summer arrival, but he has already stood out with his teammates.

“I mean, he came in here day one ready to work,” Barnes said after practice via OU Insider. “You know, just sits in the meeting room. Make sure we don’t skip past anything … just making sure he understands everything. You can tell he’s a guy that’s ready to compete and ready to play.”

Every meeting and practice rep is critical for Tatum to get up to speed after spending the spring on the diamond. The former five-star running back and No. 1 player at his position also stars in baseball. That he’s been able to make coaches and teammates take notice of his ability in just a few months speaks volumes to his talent.

“I thought he’s been really good,” Jackson Arnold said after Monday’s practice. “And I think Taylor adds a unique passing element to our game. Whether you can line up in empty or do whatever put him in the passing game. He’s very versatile. He’s definitely gonna be a good option for us this year, sort of along those lines.”

Though there may be a couple of veteran players in front of him on the depth chart, Tatum has the speed and athleticism to be a dynamic .weapon in the Sooners offense. Even if he’s not a featured back, [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] and [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] will find ways to get him on the field whether on offense or on special teams.

The sky’s the limit for Tatum, and his Oklahoma career is on the runway, ready to take off.

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Wisconsin electric freshman playmaker reportedly Badgers’ top punt returner

Wisconsin electric freshman playmaker reportedly team’s No. 1 punt returner

Wisconsin dynamic redshirt freshman wide receiver Trech Kekahuna told reporters on Friday that he’s currently the Badgers’ No. 1 punt returner entering the 2024 season.

Kekahuna also projects to play a significant role in Wisconsin’s passing game. He is technically the backup to star slot receiver Will Pauling, though is sure to still see a solid share of snaps.

Related: Updated Big Ten football power rankings entering fall training camp

The redshirt freshman appeared in one game in 2023 — Wisconsin’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU. He flashed his potential in the contest, catching four passes for 64 receiving yards.

Kekahuna joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023, ranked as the No. 487 player in the class and No. 67 wide receiver. He was originally committed to the class while Paul Chryst was still the head coach, decommitted later in the cycle, then committed again after Luke Fickell’s arrival.

Chimere Dike and Vinny Anthony split the Badgers punt return duties in 2023. Dike transferred to Florida this offseason, while Anthony remains in the room for his junior season. The two combined to average 9.19 yards per punt — a mark Wisconsin hopes Kekahuna can easily surpass.

Wisconsin’s current philosophy revolves around getting the football into the hands of its best playmakers in space. While punt returns are not schemed touches, they do fit the loose criteria explained. Kekahuna is one of the more exciting playmakers entering the 2024 season and should find ways to impact the games, one way or another.

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Report: Wisconsin trying RS FR running back Nate White at new position

Report: Wisconsin trying RS FR running back Nate White at new position

Wisconsin is trying redshirt freshman running back Nate White at wide receiver, according to 247Sports’ Evan Flood.

White was a three-star recruit in Luke Fickell’s class of 2023. He was ranked as the No. 694 player in the class, No. 51 running back and No. 1 recruit from the state of Wisconsin.

Related: Updated Big Ten football power rankings entering fall training camp

Wide receiver is the position of opportunity on the Badgers roster given the nature of Phil Longo’s air raid offense. The program has poured resources into the position since Fickell and Longo arrived in 2023. The 2024 depth chart includes six recent transfer additions — Will Pauling, Bryson Green, C.J. Williams, Tyrell Henry, Joseph Griffin Jr. and Quincy Burroughs.

But the volume of players does not prohibit opportunity. Longo’s offense likes to utilize six or seven players at a given time, unlike other spots with more established, full-time starters.

Running back, meanwhile, suddenly became a crowded position with Wisconsin’s impressive class of 2024 haul. The program added four-star Dilin Jones (No. 10 RB in the class), four-star Darrion Dupree (No. 29 RB) and three-star Gideon Ituka (No. 82 RB). Those new additions have reportedly already made an impact at fall camp, nobody more than Dupree.

Those two variables are sure to be part of the thinking when trying White at wide receiver during camp. Both positions are set entering the 2024 season, but the long-term outlook certainly sees more opportunity at wide receiver.

White’s trajectory will be a story to watch as fall camp continues.

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Wisconsin WRs coach Kenny Guiton highlights the position’s versatility entering 2024

Wisconsin wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton highlights the group’s versatility

Wisconsin wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton met with the assembled media on Friday after the Badgers completed their first full week of fall training camp.

One focus of the conversation was the Badgers’ newfound depth at wide receiver. Guiton highlighted the room’s versatility — a room that looks night-and-day different than it looked when head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo joined the program ahead of the 2023 season.

Related: Everything to know about the Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver corps entering 2024 football season

“The versatility in the room has really picked up,” Guiton said. “It’s always a room that had versatility in it, now you got more guys out the outside that can go inside. I think it’s picking up the competition level to where every little detail that we talk about, these guys know they have to be great at it because the next man’s going to step up and try to do it as well.”

That added versatility is thanks to the offseason additions of Boston College WR Joseph Griffin Jr. and Michigan State WR Tyrell Henry. They join a group led by star slot receiver Will Pauling, established outside threat Bryson Green and a host of other players.

Longo likes to rotate wide receivers often, sometimes going as far down as No. 7 on the depth chart to do so. Wisconsin’s room is well-equipped to provide that option in 2024. Pauling, Green, Griffin Jr., Quincy Burroughs, C.J. Williams, Trech Kekahuna, Vinny Anthony and Henry should all see legitimate snaps.

 

The position will be one of the clear strengths on the 2024 Badgers as the team looks for a resurgent season in year two under Fickell. That strength is due to the talent of top-end options Pauling and Green, but also due to the versatility and depth in the room.

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2024 Preseason Previews

Big Ten Team Previews: Indiana Hoosiers — Purdue Boilermakers — Illinois Fighting Illini — Northwestern Wildcats — Minnesota Golden Gophers — Nebraska Cornhuskers — Iowa Hawkeyes — Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Maryland Terrapins — Michigan State Spartans — USC Trojans — UCLA Bruins — Washington Huskies — Michigan Wolverines — Penn State Nittany Lions — Ohio State Buckeyes — Oregon Ducks — Wisconsin Badgers

Big Ten Position Previews: Quarterbacks — Running Backs — Wide Receivers — Offensive Lines — Tight Ends — Defensive Line — Linebackers — Cornerbacks — Safeties

Wisconsin Position Previews: Quarterback — Running Back — Wide Receiver — Tight End — Offensive Line — Defensive Line — Outside Linebacker

Nic Anderson says Oklahoma Sooners put through ‘toughest summer’

Nic Anderson spoke after practice Thursday about the work Oklahoma put in during the summer.

Coaches and players would argue that every fall camp is the most important. However, the Sooners are heading into a season with a whole new set of challenges. If they’re able to make the College Football Playoff in their first year in the SEC, Oklahoma will need to be physically prepared to handle the added number of games.

After their second fall camp practice, a select group of players met with the media, and Nic Anderson was asked what the offseason was like.

“(Jerry Schmidt) got after us,” Anderson said. “I feel like this was the toughest summer that we’ve had since I’ve been here. And I feel like we all handled it really well. He broke us down and built us right back up. So I feel like this is the best shape the team has been in a while.”

From the gains the team has made on the scales to the reputation that follows Schmidt, the Sooners put in the work this offseason to better prepare for their first venture through the SEC.

While a lot of the leadership responsibilities have fallen to the veterans like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], the younger guys are starting to develop as leaders as well. The group accountability is what takes a good team to a great team and Anderson shared that this is a motivated group.

“The standards were raised a little bit higher as they are every year,” Anderson shared. “And we just felt like we need to push each other, not just ourselves. And I feel like we had a lot of leaders step up and push everyone to the next level. So I feel that’s what made this summer a little bit tougher.”

For Anderson, who was limited in spring ball, he’s healthy and ready to roll after Schmitty put him through the paces this summer.

Anderson said, “Trainers got me right and threw me right back out there. Schmitty got me right. So just left it all to him and he got me good for the summer.”

This is a team that has a lot to prove. The media picked the Sooners eighth in the SEC preseason poll. On3’s J.D. PicKell has the Sooners struggling. Soon, it won’t matter. The Sooners will get to prove their worth on the football field. Physically and mentally, they’re ready to roll.

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Wisconsin found a gem in Oklahoma transfer RB Tawee Walker

Former Oklahoma RB Tawee Walker is in line for a huge 2024 season with the Badgers:

Sometimes a college football program’s offseason is defined by headline-grabbing transfer additions. For Wisconsin, those names in recent history include QB Tyler Van Dyke (Miami), WR C.J. Williams (USC), WR Bryson Green (Oklahoma State) and QB Tanner Mordecai (SMU).

On the other hand, there are times when under-the-radar additions end up having the biggest impact. For a glaring example, see Michigan State‘s 2021 season led by former Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker.

Related: Top storylines as the Wisconsin Badgers begin fall camp

Wisconsin’s 2024 season will certainly be decided by the play of Van Dyke and others in the Badgers’ second year under offensive coordinator Phil Longo. But one transfer addition is trending toward having a larger impact than anybody expected when he committed to the program back in December.

That is former Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker.

Walker rushed for 513 yards and 7 touchdowns on only 102 carries for the Sooners in 2023. He has been on a steady ascension since joining Oklahoma ahead of the 2022 season.

The experienced running back joins a Wisconsin backfield that projects to be led by veteran Chez Mellusi after star Braelon Allen left for the NFL after the 2023 season. Mellusi has played in only 22 games over the past three years, however, including only four in 2023. Injuries have derailed several of his immensely-productive seasons.

So whoever Wisconsin added in the transfer portal at the position, there was an opportunity available to have a legitimate impact.

Walker appears to be the perfect addition to the backfield, creating what Mellusi described as a ‘thunder and lightning’ 1-2 punch — with Walker operating as the former.

Beat reporters at training camp have named Walker in most conversations about breakout players and early camp standouts. Wisconsin’s social media team added to that collection of praise on Thursday:

Wisconsin’s 2023 backfield lead primarily by Allen averaged just 161 yards per game, ranked No. 62 in the nation. Better health at the position and another year in Longo’s system should see improved results in 2024, especially if Walker continues his strong play.

The 2024 Badgers will likely go as far as Van Dyke can take the offense. But the calculus changes if Walker can be to this team what Kenneth Walker was to the 2021 Spartans.

Longo has a history of somewhat dominant rushing attacks carrying his offense. This 2024 running back room has the chance to have that type of impact.

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