Tag: Jake Ferguson

10 people Wisconsin football has to be thankful for going forward

We are past the halfway point of the Big Ten’s 2020 football season and the Wisconsin Badgers sit with a surprising 2-1 record…

We are past the halfway point of the Big Ten’s 2020 football season and the Wisconsin Badgers sit with a surprising 2-1 record.

Surprising not because the team is 2-1 and doesn’t have control of the Big Ten West division, but because they have only played three games thus far and now will not be able to play the six games needed to even qualify for the conference championship.

Related: BREAKING: Wisconsin’s rivalry matchup with Minnesota is canceled

It’s also Thanksgiving week, a time we all get together with our families and discuss what we’re thankful for.

For the 2020 Wisconsin Badgers, a lot could have gone better thus far— including a normal season, their senior quarterback staying healthy, the team not experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, a win at Northwestern, a chance at keeping Paul Bunyan’s Axe and more.

Nevertheless, the program is set up well for success both through the end of this year and for the future. So, here are 10 people Wisconsin football has to be thankful for this season and beyond:

WATCH: Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson makes a fantastic leaping TD catch

The Badgers take a massive lead over Michigan on Ferguson’s leaping grab

Wisconsin’s offense, spurred by dominant defense, has continued to pour it on the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. TE Jake Ferguson is picking up where he left off in week one against Illinois.

Graham Mertz tossed his fourth touchdown to pass to the big TE on the young season, but it was all about the catch by Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez’s grandson.

The acrobatic grab by Ferguson gave the Badgers a 35-3 lead in a game that Wisconsin currently leads 35-11 early in the fourth quarter.

Instant analysis: Graham Mertz shines as Wisconsin rolls over Illinois

Wisconsin Badger and Big Ten football are back with Graham Mertz’s remarkable performance leading the Badgers past the Illinois Fighting…

Wisconsin Badger and Big Ten football are back with Graham Mertz’s remarkable performance leading the Badgers past the Illinois Fighting Illini 45-7.

20/21 passing, 248 yards, 11.8 yards-per-attempt and 5 touchdowns was the final line for Mertz, unbelievable numbers for any quarterback–let alone a redshirt freshman making his first collegiate start.

The Mertz hype is real and it seems like the sky is the limit for him moving forward.

He was obviously the story of the game, but there was more that went on tonight aside from the former four-star breaking records and lighting it up in his first start–those records being tying one with 17 consecutive completions and breaking another with five touchdown passes.

The first thing to note from tonight is Jim Leonhard’s defense shutting out the Fighting Illini thanks to dominant performances from all levels.

The defensive line? Allowed 16 carries for 51 yards and 3.18 yards-per-carry to Illinois running backs including a forced fumble early in the game.

Brandon Peters was effective using his legs, something the team will work on in the future. But Illinois running backs couldn’t find a single hole all night.

The linebackers? Flashed all night and shut down the middle of the field.

The secondary? Only allowed 87 yards to Illinois pass catchers and came away with a late interception.

Those 87 yards included only 3 receptions by Illini leading receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe thanks to a tremendous game by Badger cornerback Rachad Wildgoose.

It was a complete defensive performance that means great things for the team going forward.

The second thing to note is more on the concerning side: the Badgers were mostly inefficient running the ball and needed Mertz to take over in order to move the ball down the field.

The final stat line for the team on the ground was 43 carries for 156 yards, 3.6 yards-per-carry and 1 touchdown. The offense still performed extremely well, but if the team wants to close tight games going forward somebody will need to emerge from the backfield.

If you ask me, tonight pointed towards Garrett Groshek earning that role. But Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo are sure to still have significant roles moving forward.

Third, and arguably most importantly, the Mertz–Jake Ferguson connection looks unstoppable.

The two connected 7 times for 72 yards and 3 touchdowns, showing shades of Florida’s Kyle Trask–Kyle Pitts connection.

I thought going into the season he would be the freshman quarterback’s favorite target, but I didn’t see them being that good.

The final thing to note is the coaching.

It’s safe to say that Paul Chryst and his staff were a severe mismatch for Lovie Smith and company, as all throughout the game the Badger staff dialed up perfect play calls that found mismatches and put their players in positions to succeed.

It was an impressive performance overall and starting 1-0 is always the goal. Are there still areas to improve? Absolutely. But Badger fans should be thrilled about the team’s performance tonight and their outlook going forward.

Graham Mertz puts on show in first half as starter

Graham Mertz made his first start tonight for the Wisconsin Badgers against the Illinois Fighting Illini and put on quite the show in the…

Graham Mertz made his first start tonight for the Wisconsin Badgers against the Illinois Fighting Illini and put on quite the show in the first half of the matchup.

Mertz has led the Badgers to a 28-7 lead in the first half with an eye-popping 190 yards and four touchdowns. Mertz also completed every single passing attempt he threw, going 14-14 in the first half. Some of the highlights of Mertz’s game so far include a 53-yard touchdown to Danny Davis and two touchdowns to Jake Ferguson. Mertz’s other passing touchdown was the first score of the game to fullback Mason Stokke.

Mertz has certainly lived up to the hype in his first half as a starter for the Badgers, and the future looks bright for Wisconsin fans.

How Wisconsin’s offense will find success against Illinois

Here is how the Badger offense will find success on Friday

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith has been preaching takeaways since his time in Tampa Bay as the linebackers coach under Tony Dungy. The Tampa-2 defense that Smith has used for the past two decades gave Wisconsin problems last year in their 24-23 loss in Champaign, so how can the Badgers bounce back from an upset and have a convincing week one performance on offense?

It all starts with taking care of the football. Smith and Illinois put their defensive emphasis on stripping the football and forcing fumbles, and it led to three Wisconsin turnovers last season in this matchup. The young, talented RB tandem of sophomores Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo will have to value the football above all else.

Garrett Groshek, the senior leader in the RB room, mentioned earlier this week that ball security was a point of emphasis for the Badgers. “If we are able to hold on to the ball that game probably has a different outcome,” said Groshek when referring to last year’s loss in Champaign.

While averaging 233 yards rushing as they did in 2019 is a tall task for a Badger unit that loses Jonathan Taylor, running the ball effectively against the 4-3 defense of Illinois will set the tone.

Through the air, getting Graham Mertz comfortable early will be essential in his first collegiate start. The offensive line has to do its job against a front four for Illinois that needs to get to the QB to make the Tampa-2 go. The weakness to exploit for Mertz and the Badgers is taking advantage of the middle of the field. The Tampa-2 puts stress on the middle linebacker, who is forced to make a read and drop back in coverage on passing downs in order to take away routes over the middle of the field. Quick slants and crossing routes are not only effective ways for Mertz to find his footing early, but also a way to test the Mike linebacker.

One thing that separated Wisconsin QB Jack Coan from many others in the country was his ability to take care of the ball. Just five interceptions all year from the UW signal caller helped lead the Badgers into the Big Ten championship game. A young Mertz will surely make some early mistakes, but hopefully they do not result in costly turnovers on Friday.

Another key offensively is to see who steps forward at the WR position on Friday. A position with more questions than answers at this point does have capable guys in seniors Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor, along with young talents in Chimere Dike and Taj Mustapha. The question of who becomes the favorite target of Mertz is one that could have many different answers.

Bottom Line: If Wisconsin takes care of the football on Friday and can attack over the middle in the passing game, expect a one in the win column.

How Wisconsin’s offense will find success against Illinois

Here is how the Badger offense will find success on Friday

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith has been preaching takeaways since his time in Tampa Bay as the linebackers coach under Tony Dungy. The Tampa-2 defense that Smith has used for the past two decades gave Wisconsin problems last year in their 24-23 loss in Champaign, so how can the Badgers bounce back from an upset and have a convincing week one performance on offense?

It all starts with taking care of the football. Smith and Illinois put their defensive emphasis on stripping the football and forcing fumbles, and it led to three Wisconsin turnovers last season in this matchup. The young, talented RB tandem of sophomores Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo will have to value the football above all else.

Garrett Groshek, the senior leader in the RB room, mentioned earlier this week that ball security was a point of emphasis for the Badgers. “If we are able to hold on to the ball that game probably has a different outcome,” said Groshek when referring to last year’s loss in Champaign.

While averaging 233 yards rushing as they did in 2019 is a tall task for a Badger unit that loses Jonathan Taylor, running the ball effectively against the 4-3 defense of Illinois will set the tone.

Through the air, getting Graham Mertz comfortable early will be essential in his first collegiate start. The offensive line has to do its job against a front four for Illinois that needs to get to the QB to make the Tampa-2 go. The weakness to exploit for Mertz and the Badgers is taking advantage of the middle of the field. The Tampa-2 puts stress on the middle linebacker, who is forced to make a read and drop back in coverage on passing downs in order to take away routes over the middle of the field. Quick slants and crossing routes are not only effective ways for Mertz to find his footing early, but also a way to test the Mike linebacker.

One thing that separated Wisconsin QB Jack Coan from many others in the country was his ability to take care of the ball. Just five interceptions all year from the UW signal caller helped lead the Badgers into the Big Ten championship game. A young Mertz will surely make some early mistakes, but hopefully they do not result in costly turnovers on Friday.

Another key offensively is to see who steps forward at the WR position on Friday. A position with more questions than answers at this point does have capable guys in seniors Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor, along with young talents in Chimere Dike and Taj Mustapha. The question of who becomes the favorite target of Mertz is one that could have many different answers.

Bottom Line: If Wisconsin takes care of the football on Friday and can attack over the middle in the passing game, expect a one in the win column.

Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson leads the nation in this stat according to PFF

On Monday morning, Pro Football Focus tweeted out a statistic ranking the most career broken tackles by returning tight ends in college football. Jake Ferguson led college football in this stat with 17 career broken tackles.

On Monday morning, Pro Football Focus tweeted out a statistic ranking the most career broken tackles by returning tight ends in college football. Jake Ferguson led college football in this stat with 17 career broken tackles.

The others that made the list are Matt Bushman from BYU with 15, Peyton Hendershot from Indiana with 14,  Brevin Jordan from Miami with 12, and lastly Pat Freiermuth from Penn State with 10.

Jake Ferguson has become a security blanket for Wisconsin quarterbacks in his time with the Badgers and has racked up 63 receptions for 804 yards and six touchdowns in his two-year career.

Ferguson has mainly been used as a blocking tight end for Jonathan Taylor thus far, but expectations for the junior tight end are high because of his naming to the watch list for the John Mackey Award. Jake Ferguson will have to step up this season to carry the offense for Wisconsin that will be losing its leading receiver and rusher from last year.

If you would like to read more about Jake Ferguson, and his naming to the John Mackey Award Watch List, click here.

A way-too-early look at Wisconsin’s 2021 NFL Draft prospects

TheDraftNetwork.com took no time releasing their way-too-early 2021 NFL Draft big board when last week’s draft concluded. Sometimes you…

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TheDraftNetwork.com took no time releasing their way-too-early 2021 NFL Draft big board when last week’s draft concluded.

Sometimes you have players like Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Biadasz who are sure-fire NFL players even entering a season. On the other hand, sometimes you have a player like Zack Baun that wasn’t on the NFL draft radar before he experienced a break-out senior season.

The Badgers should have some of both in 2020, as there are several names on TheDraftNetwork’s 2021 big board and many others who have a shot at joining that list.

First, here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as no-doubt NFL draft prospects entering the 2020 season.

 

Linebacker Jack Sanborn (No. 72 overall on TDN’s big board)

Sanborn will be a junior in 2020 so it isn’t a sure thing that he enters the 2021 NFL Draft.

Regardless, Sanborn is coming off a team-high 80 tackles and three interceptions in 2019 and is still improving at a rapid pace.

Even if it isn’t until 2022, Sanborn will hear his name called on draft day.

 

Tight end Jake Ferguson (No. 90 overall on TDN’s big board)

Maybe a bit of a surprise?

Ferguson is coming off a 33-catch, 407-yard season, good for second-best on the team in both categories behind now-Detroit Lion wide receiver Quintez Cephus.

Once the man filling the shoes of current NFL tight end Troy Fumagalli, Ferguson has finished second on the team in receptions two straight years and is molding into a really good receiving tight end in addition to excelling, as many Badgers do, as a blocker.

Ferguson, like Sanborn, is not entering his final season of eligibility in 2020 but were he to enter the draft after the season he projects as a fringe third round prospect.

 

Here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as more questionable 2021 NFL Draft prospects.

 

Safety Eric Burrell (No. 158 overall on TDN’s big board)

Burrell broke onto the scene in 2018 and became the team’s 6th-leading tackler as a starter at safety opposite current Tampa Bay Buccaneer D’Cota Dixon.

In 2019 the Maryland native improved again as the leader of the secondary as he was the team’s 5th-leading tackler to go along with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The senior returns to an experienced and talented secondary unit in Madison and, according to TDN, has a real chance at playing at the next level.

 

Left tackle Cole Van Lanen (No. 181 overall on TDN’s big board)

Van Lanen is thought of as a sure-fire NFL prospect though has been overshadowed a bit by the other NFL talent along the Wisconsin offensive line during the past few years.

The analysts at TDN mention how the left tackle “is an absolute load coming off the snap. He’s got natural power for days thanks to his foot drive and mass, once he’s able to create any level of forward push, he’s consistent in his efforts to continue to balloon the point of attack,” and how “he’s going to be a natural in the run game at the next level.”

As the 2020 season progresses expect Van Lanen to shoot up draft boards and into one of the top tiers at his position.

 

Finally, here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as questionable/fringe 2021 draft prospects and who I believe are other names to watch as the season progresses

Isaiahh Loudermilk (No. 232 overall)

Logan Bruss (No. 244 overall)

Jack Coan (No. 305 overall)

Garrett Rand (Unranked)

Caesar Williams (Unranked)

Danny Davis (Unranked)

 

 

Post-draft outlook: who will fill the roles of the departed Badgers?

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season…

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season.

The biggest question mark year-to-year, understandably, is who will step in for the former players who either finished their four years of eligibility or declared early for the NFL Draft.

This year more than any in recent memory, it seems, coach Paul Chryst will need to replace the majority of both his offensive and defensive production from last season.

That production includes more than 2000 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 1153 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns combined between offensive stars Jonathan Taylor and Quintez Cephus in addition to 153 tackles, 33.5 tackles-for-loss, 24 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception combined between defensive stars Chris Orr and Zack Baun.

Additionally, with a less-quantifiable position group, Chryst will need to replace three starters along his offensive line including projected 4th-round pick Tyler Biadasz and NFL hopeful Jason Erdmann.

There isn’t only bad news heading into the 2020 season, though, as the team welcomes back starting quarterback Jack Coan, productive wide receivers Kendric Pryor and Danny Davis, tight end Jake Ferguson, talented defensive linemen Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk, a tackling machine at linebacker in Jack Sanborn and the entire secondary from 2019.

The talent is there for another successful campaign, but the team will no doubt need players to fill the roles of those gone to the NFL.

 

Running Back

Filling Taylor’s collegiate production is an impossible task. What Chryst and the Badgers can hope to do, though, is find a consistent option to complement Garrett Groshek in the backfield and continue the string of success they’ve had at the position.

The two options to fill that role are redshirt sophomore Nakia Watson and top recruit Jalen Berger.

Watson carried the ball 74 times last season for 331 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role. The Texas native was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2018 and has the talent to succeed if given the starting role.

The other option, Berger, will be a true freshman this fall but is ranked as the No. 12 running back recruit in the nation and has the talent to become the next great Badger in the backfield.

If Berger redshirts this season expect the backfield to be led by Watson and a classic third-down back in Groshek. If Berger does not redshirt and sees the field Day 1, as Jonathan Taylor did during his freshman year, expect Berger to start the next era of success in the Badger backfield.

 

Wide Receiver

Though Cephus decided to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft and A.J. Taylor is finished with his four years of eligibility, the Badgers still return three solid receiving threats in Pryor, Davis and Jack Dunn.

Had Aron Cruikshank not transferred to Rutgers during the offseason, Chryst would actually be set to enter 2020 with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the Big Ten.

Pryor, Davis and Dunn all returning paired with an incoming three-star recruit in Chimere Dike points towards a productive year at wide receiver for the Badgers even without the services of Cephus, A.J. Taylor and Cruikshank.

 

Offensive Line

The offensive line seems to be the position that Chryst never has trouble rejuvenating and reloading from year to year.

The Badger coach now moves forward to 2020 without 2019 starters Biadasz, Erdmann and David Moorman but does return the likes of Cole Van Lanen, Logan Bruss, Tyler Beach, Josh Seltzner, Kayden Lyles and former five-star recruit Logan Brown and welcomes in a four-star recruit in Jack Nelson.

The starting five on the line should look something like Van Lanen and Bruss at the tackle positions, Lyles and Seltzner at the guard spots and either Blake Smithback or Joe Tippmann at center, though it is unclear at the moment who will take over at center for Biadasz.

Though Logan Brown is not in line to start yet in 2020 he is somebody worth keeping an eye on as he came to Wisconsin as the second-best prospect in program history and as an surefire future first round pick.

 

Linebacker

Orr and Baun, as I outlined earlier, combined for a remarkable season in 2019.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will now look to the junior Sanborn to take over for Orr as the leader of the defense at middle linebacker and to Noah Burks to take over Baun’s role at outside linebacker.

Both Burks and Sanborn had starting roles 2019 so there are still holes behind them in the depth chart going forward to 2020. The most likely players to fill these roles and start for Leonhard in 2020 are Leo Chenal at middle linebacker and Izayah Green-May at outside linebacker, though the outside linebacker position is still wide open as summer preparation is close to getting underway.

 

The key to success in college football is being able to develop players throughout their four years in college yet have a system in place that is able to move forward once those players graduate and fill their roles at a high level. Chryst has shown a clear ability to do this thus far during his tenure and 2020 should be no exception.

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Spring Position Preview: Tight Ends

Examining Wisconsin’s tight end position group as the Badgers begin spring football practice.

Spring football allows for head coach Paul Chryst to not have to worry about preparing for a game. Instead, it allows him to teach the game of football and continue to develop the players on Wisconsin’s roster as they prepare for the 2020 season. Chryst will have 15 practices beginning March 22 to help his team improve and build on what they accomplished during the 2019 season.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will break down the tight end position for Wisconsin as it heads into spring practice.

Spring Tight End Roster

Clay Cundiff (redshirt freshman), Jack Eschenbach (redshirt sophomore), Jake Ferguson (redshirt junior), Gabe Lloyd (redshirt senior), Hayden Rucci (redshirt freshman), Coy Wanner (redshirt junior)

What we know going into spring practice

Wisconsin was hit hard by injuries a season ago but the Badgers entering spring practice are healthy, which will give tight ends coach Mickey Turner and Chryst a much better idea of what they have at the tight end position.

Ferguson was able to build off of his successful redshirt freshman season as his 33 receptions and 407 receiving yards ranked second on the team a season ago. Considering how much Wisconsin relied on Ferguson a season ago as a receiver and a blocker and what he still was able to accomplish within Wisconsin’s offense is impressive.

Ferguson was able to improve as a blocker as he was more consistent in this area and spring football will once again serve as an opportunity for him to better his all-around game as he tries to prove why he’s one of the better tight ends in the Big Ten.

After Ferguson, it is a bit of an unknown. The Badgers have some talented options as it is a matter of the rest of the tight ends starting to put it together and spring will be important for the entire tight ends room development.

One of the bigger obstacles for each tight end in Wisconsin’s program they face is learning the blocking responsibilities. If the younger tight ends on Wisconsin’s roster can demonstrate consistency in this area they’ll set themselves up for the right to earn reps when the Badgers do begin fall camp.

What we hope to find out following spring practice

Growth from the position and whether or not Turner and Chryst feel like the tight ends were able to improve over the course of spring football.

The tight ends are a big part of Wisconsin’s offense and the need for them to be consistent in the passing game, in addition to blocking is critical for the success of Wisconsin’s offense.

Although there are unknowns behind Ferguson, Hayden Rucci and Clay Cundiff will get plenty of opportunities over spring football. Rucci brings a toughness to the tight end position as he’s demonstrated his ability to block and catch and Cundiff needs to continue to improve as a blocker.

It is a matter of Rucci and Cundiff shoring up their weakness while continuing to improve on where they have had success. They will have plenty of opportunities to continue to get better as there is time to be earned on the field and the play by those two will be important in the success of Wisconsin’s tight ends.

Another tight end to keep an eye on is redshirt sophomore Jack Eschenbach who will be going through his second spring practice.

Eschenbach received some time a season ago during the nonconference portion of the schedule because of the injuries at the tight end position. As Wisconsin coaches like the potential of Eschenbach. He still may be a year away from being a contributor but because of his size as he’s listed at 6’6″ and 224 pounds could become a threat down the road but he needs to continue to add strength to his frame in order to hold up over conference play.