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 tight ends from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:
Wisconsin’s tight ends were hit hard by injuries in 2019.
Considering the Badgers only had two healthy tight ends at their disposal during the 2019 season. Luckily, Jake Ferguson or Cormac Sampson didn’t add their names to the injury list at the tight end position.
Tight ends coach Mickey Turner lost Luke Benzschawel and Gabe Lloyd both for the season during fall camp. Benzschawel was expected to be the number two tight end behind Ferguson. Lloyd who has appeared in 21 career games was expected to be a contributor as well.
In an attempt to absorb those two losses Zander Neuville was granted a sixth year of eligibility. However, Neuville like Benzschawel and Lloyd was lost for the season in early September before he could officially make his return to the team.
With Ferguson and Sampson being relied on so heavily over the 2019 season the two held up well. Ferguson finished the season second on the team in both receptions (33) and receiving yards (407) and had two touchdowns.
Ferguson for the second consecutive season caught at least one pass in every single game this season as he now has 69 career catches in 27 career games.
Sampson didn’t register a catch nor was he targeted in the passing game as his primary responsibility came in the run game. Sampson did well of helping open up running lanes for Jonathan Taylor and the rest of the backs. Sampson was able to help fill in the void of Benzschawel, Lloyd, and Neuville as the three were all going to be counted on as run blockers before they were lost for the season.
Redshirt freshman Jack Eschenbach appeared in four games at tight end. Eschenbach a walk-on from Downers Grove, Ill still needs to develop but gaining that playing experience this past year will help with his growth and confidence when the Badgers begin spring football.
2020 Wisconsin Tight Ends
Ferguson will continue to develop at tight end and with Wisconsin set to get back both Benzschawel and Lloyd at tight end in 2020 the Badgers depth should be a lot better at the position. In addition, spring football will be important for both Hayden Rucci and Clay Cundiff as both redshirted this past season. Cundiff only appeared in one game last year against Central Michigan but both will need to be consistent in all areas of what Turner asks from his tight ends in order for them to possibly see the field consistently. In addition the Badgers will add a pair of true freshman in Cam Large and Cole Dakovich to the tight end room.