Tag: jake renfro

BREAKING: Another Wisconsin starting offensive lineman announces return for 2025

BREAKING: Another Wisconsin starting offensive lineman announces return for 2025

Wisconsin center Jake Renfro announced on Saturday he would be returning to the Badgers for his final year of eligibility in 2025.

He is the second veteran member of Wisconsin’s starting offensive line to announce his intention to return, joining right tackle Riley Mahlman.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Renfro joined the program in 2023 after three seasons under Luke Fickell at Cincinnati. He was a first-team all-AAC member in 2021 after starting 13 games for a Bearcats team that made the College Football Playoff.

He then missed the entire 2022 season with an injury before transferring to the Badgers after Fickell got the job. The veteran center remained out for most of the 2023 season, only seeing game action in Wisconsin’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.

Renfro stepped into the starting job in 2024 after 2023 starter Tanor Bortolini left for the NFL. He led an offensive line that was arguably the strength of the team, and was far from the reason the offense finished outside the nation’s top 100 in scoring.

His return means three members of the 2024 offensive line will be back — Renfro, Mahlman and left guard Joe Brunner.

Big questions will surround Wisconsin’s left tackle position entering the season. Top freshman Kevin Heywood could win the job if the program does not land a top veteran in the transfer portal.

Wisconsin officially hired Kansas’ Jeff Grimes to its vacant offensive coordinator role on Saturday. While he has significant work to do to rebuild a struggling unit, the team’s returning talent and experience up front should provide a significant help. Renfro’s return is big news in that regard.

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Wisconsin’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from Week 8

Wisconsin’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from college football Week 8

Wisconsin center Jake Renfro was PFF’s highest-graded player at his position in college football Week 8.

The service gave Renfro an overall grade of 88.3 — nearly nine rating points better than the second-highest grade on Wisconsin’s offensive unit: WR Will Pauling’s 79.7 mark.

Related: Studs and duds from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern: Tawee Walker continues strong play

Renfro helped the Badgers control a strong Wildcats defensive front. Wisconsin rushed for 199 yards on 4.6 yards per carry during the 23-3 win, that after Northwestern entered the contest ranked No. 9 in the nation in rush defense (87.5 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry).

He also led the Badgers’ offensive line to allow only one sack and play yet another penalty-free game — continuing their overall dominance as a unit.

Wisconsin’s season-long statistics are continuing to reflect the team’s dominance up front and resurgent run game. The Badgers now rank No. 35 in the nation in rush offense (194 yards per game), No. 22 in sacks allowed (1.14 per game), No. 13 in tackles for loss allowed (3.57) and No. 8 in fewest penalties per game (4.00).

Renfro and the unit have a big upcoming test when No. 3 Penn State visits Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions enter with the nation’s No. 10 rush defense (95 yards per game allowed, 3.2 yards per carry), No. 14 pass defense (167.5 yards per game) and No. 6 total defense (262.5 yards per game).

Wisconsin’s offensive line will play a key role in the matchup as the Badgers look to notch a program-defining victory.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

13 Wisconsin Badgers crack 2025 Senior Bowl watch list

13 Wisconsin Badgers crack 2025 Senior Bowl watch list

13 Wisconsin Badgers cracked the 2025 Senior Bowl watch list on Wednesday.

The 12th annual list includes 859 prospects from 180 programs across the country. The number usually dwindles to 110 players at the annual Feb. 1 contest in Mobile, Alabama, the home of the University of South Alabama.

On the offensive side, Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, wide receiver Will Pauling and running Chez Mellusi made the cut. Offensive linemen Jack Nelson, Joe Huber, Riley Mahlhan and Jake Renfro also represent UW’s offensive line on the list.

Defensively, linebacker Jaheim Thomas, outside linebacker John Pius, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., defensive back RJ Delancy III, safety Hunter Wohler and cornerback Ricardo Hallman were listed as well.

Historically, the game format rosters its participants regionally into North and South teams. Since 2021, the bowl moved to American and National team designations with coaching staffs typically handpicked from two lower-ranked NFL teams.

Serving as somewhat of a post-season college football all-star bout, the Senior Bowl aims to showcase NFL Draft prospects who have finalized their college eligibility. NFL Network will broadcast the battle this winter.

No significant changes on Wisconsin’s Iowa-week depth chart

No significant changes on Wisconsin’s Iowa-week depth chart

Wisconsin released its updated depth chart yesterday ahead of Saturday’s crucial showdown between the 4-1 Badgers and 5-1 Iowa Hawkeyes.

Wisconsin sits atop the Big Ten West at the moment with a 2-0 conference record. Iowa lurks nearby with a 2-1 mark in Big Ten play, while the rest of the division is down at 1-2 before Illinois brings up the rear at 0-3.

The Badgers need to win this weekend. It’s a simple proposition.

The team’s aforementioned depth chart entering the pivotal contest showed no significant changes. Despite the potential returns for C Jake Renfro and DL Isaiah Mullens, neither are listed on the two-deep. That doesn’t mean the two won’t play, but we likely now won’t get a status update until Saturday morning.

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell mentioned the offensive line rotation is his Monday press conference, though didn’t give much away about what the group will look like when fully healthy.

Wisconsin and Iowa kick off their contest at 3 p.m. central at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell gives status update on two key starters ahead of matchup vs. Rutgers

An injury update on two starters:

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media today in advance of his team’s upcoming home matchup against Rutgers. During the session, he gave updates on the injury status of both starting center Jake Renfro and starting defensive lineman Isaiah Mullens.

Fickell first noted he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Renfro playing on Saturday. The Cincinnati transfer hasn’t played yet this season, and missed all of 2022 due to injury. Back in 2021, he started all 13 games for the Bearcats and earned First-Team All-AAC honors.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 5: Wisconsin remains in the top five

Tanor Bortolini has started each of Wisconsin’s first four games at center. Renfro’s return would likely see a reshuffle with Bortolini moving out to guard.

Second, the Wisconsin head coach also said he doesn’t yet know if Mullens will play Saturday — though he sounded less optimistic. Mullens has also missed each of the first four games of the season. The Badgers have badly missed his presence along the defensive line.

Wisconsin welcomes in a sneaky-good 4-1 Rutgers team on Saturday. It needs a win to jumpstart its conquest to win the Big Ten West in the division’s final season.

Wisconsin could get its starting center back tonight vs Purdue

Wisconsin released its injury report ahead of tonight’s game against Purdue:

Wisconsin released its availability report ahead of its game against the Purdue Boilermakers and there are a few significant updates to note.

First, starting center Jake Renfro is listed as questionable. The Badgers’ projected starting center has missed the first three games of the season with a foot injury. His return would be a reshuffle along the offensive line with Tanor Bortolini moving over to guard.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3: Wisconsin rises after ugly win

Second, the Badgers will still be without starting DL Isaiah Mullens and depth pieces including tight end Jack Pugh, wide receiver Chris Brooks and outside linebacker Aaron Witt.

Here is the full status report:

Meanwhile, Purdue will enter tonight’s contest without its starting kicker Ben Freehill.

Wisconsin and Purdue kick off at 6 p.m. central on FS1 as both teams look to reach 1-0 on the young Big Ten season.

Wisconsin will be without two starters today against Georgia Southern

Wisconsin released its status report for today’s game:

The 1-1 Wisconsin Badgers host the 2-0 Georgia Southern Eagles today.

The Badgers have already begun the season without the on-field services of starting offensive lineman Jake Renfro and starting defensive lineman Isaiah Mullens. They will be without the two again today, as Wisconsin’s availability report listed them among those out for today’s contest.

While last week’s loss to Washington State can be attributed to other factors including turnovers and general sloppiness, Mullens and Renfro are two important players at some of the most important positions on the field.

Wisconsin’s defensive line will continue to feature James Thomson Jr., Rodas Johnson and Gio Paez, while Tanor Bortolini will stick at center.

Mullens and Renfro are notable players to miss the contest from a list that includes Riley Nowakowski, Cam Large, Chris Brooks, Jack Pugh and Aaron Witt.

Head coach Luke Fickell did say this week that both Mullens and Renfro were close to returning, so hopefully next Friday at Purdue is their first game action of the season.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell gives update on two injured starters

A positive note from Fickell’s Monday availability:

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media Monday after his team’s 31-22 Week 2 loss at Washington State.

The tone around Madison, understandably so, is one of disappointment as Saturday made it clear the Badgers still have big improvements to make before the team can again be considered a favorite to win the Big Ten West.

One fix is cleaner and better play on both sides of the football. Another fix could be reinforcements along the lines of scrimmage, as the team has been playing without starting center Jake Renfro and starting defensive lineman Isaiah Mullens.

Related: Big Ten power rankings after Week 2: A bad week for Wisconsin

Fickell gave an update on the status of the two players entering Week 3 vs Georgia Southern. It’s a positive note:

The return of those two players could help two units which have been issues for the team thus far. Renfro would bring former All-Conference skill to the interior of the offensive line, while Mullens would bring valuable experience to a defensive line that has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Even if Saturday isn’t the day for both players to return, Week 4 at Purdue is looking more and more possible.

Wisconsin starting OL on watch list for Comeback Player Of The Year

More watch list news:

The 2023 Wisconsin Badgers have numerous unknowns after a subpar 2022 campaign and the subsequent program overhaul during the offseason.

One big question is whether Wisconsin can return to being Wisconsin along the offensive line. Several factors have played into the program’s struggles at the position over the last few years, but it’s undeniable a return to dominance is necessary for the team to return to Indianapolis and compete for a College Football Playoff appearance.

There were reinforcements brought in this offseason at the position, none bigger than former Cincinnati All-Conference lineman Jake Renfro. While the presumed starting center is currently on the shelf with a foot sprain, he was recently named to the watch list for college football’s Comeback Player Of The Year.

Renfro started every game for the Bearcats during their incredible 2021 run to the College Football Playoff before missing the entire 2022 season with a knee injury.

While Wisconsin is flexible along the line with Tanor Bortolini’s experience at several positions and depth at the guard spots, a healthy Renfro is important to the unit returning to its pre-2020 level.

Wisconsin starting OL to miss time with a foot sprain

Not great injury news with the season fast-approaching:

Every team in college football is undefeated, with Week 0 games set to kick off this upcoming weekend. But not every team has a full clean bill of health.

Wisconsin is dealing with some injuries of its own with training camp winding down before the Week 1 contest against Buffalo. First, the tight end room lost two veteran contributors.

Now, there is another update to monitor. Luke Fickell told reporters on Saturday that projected starting center Jake Renfro will miss time with a foot sprain. The Wisconsin head coach noted the return date is a mystery, with Week 1 definitely in question.

Renfro transferred to Wisconsin from Cincinnati this offseason after being named the top center in the ACC in 2021. He had previously worked to return from a stress fracture suffered during the spring period.

The good news: Wisconsin is both flexible and deep at the center position. Veteran Tanor Bortolini can slide to that spot, while transfer Joe Huber and others battle for the vacant left guard position. Also the team does not play a meaningful conference game until Week 4 against Purdue.

The bad news: Injuries have a way of derailing momentum. If we look back upon Luke Fickell’s first year as head coach and things don’t go according to plan, injury could easily be the biggest reason why.