Tag: Phil Longo

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.

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

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.

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

Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke gives reason he chose to transfer to the Badgers

Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke gives reason he chose to transfer to the Badgers

Wisconsin enters the 2024 season with a similar situation at quarterback to what it had entering 2023 — an established veteran transfer starting under center while younger recruits continue to develop in Phil Longo’s system.

In 2023, that veteran starter was former Oklahoma and SMU QB Tanner Mordecai. In 2024, it is former Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke.

Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp

Van Dyke committed to the Badgers back on Dec. 12 after entering the transfer portal at the end of the Hurricanes’ 2023 regular season. He joins the program with three years of starting experience, including totals of 7,469 passing yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

His best season came as a redshirt freshman in 2021 under former Miami head coach Manny Diaz. Van Dyke completed 62.3% of his passes that season for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, numbers strong enough for him to be named ACC Rookie of the Year.

Mild struggles followed in 2022 and 2023, somewhat due to constant turnover on Miami’s offensive coaching staff.

The veteran enters 2024 looking for a fresh start and a stable situation to help him rekindle his 2021 form. He believes he found that in Phil Longo’s air raid offense.

When asked why he chose the Badgers, Van Dyke referenced Miami’s matchup with Phil Longo’s North Carolina Tar Heels during his true freshman season in 2020.

Miami was 8-1 entering the last-season contest, ranked No. 9 in the nation. But North Carolina won the game 62-26 thanks to 778 total yards from Longo’s offense (554 rushing, 224 passing).

Longo’s strong impression mattered when Van Dyke was weighing his transfer options.

The veteran quarterback needs a resurgent season to establish his NFL draft stock. Wisconsin, meanwhile, needs strong quarterback play to experience a resurgent season of its own. This quarterback-program relationship has a chance to be mutually beneficial.

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

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

Badgers OC Phil Longo: Year two of air raid at Wisconsin will be ‘vastly improved’ over 2023

Badgers OC Phil Longo: Year two of air raid at Wisconsin will be ‘vastly improved over first one’

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is optimistic about how his offense will perform in its second year in Madison.

“Year two is typically going to be vastly improved over the first one,” Longo said when meeting with the media on Monday in advance of the Badgers starting 2024 training camp practice.

Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp

His conclusion is based on the premise that continuity leads to better results. That continuity includes returning starters — such as both tackles, the right guard, two receivers, the tight end and the primary running back. It also includes players who did not start in 2023 but still spent the season within the new system, including three starting linemen and several top receiving options.

Importantly, that continuity also refers to Longo’s relationship with head coach Luke Fickell and the rest of his offensive coaching staff. The 2023 offseason included change at every possible corner of the program. This offseason was not that, which Longo thinks is aiding the team’s preparation for the upcoming season.

“The difference is we have so many people now, so many players in these rooms that know everything,” Longo said. “So the learning curve for this year for the new guys is not what it was last year. We still had coaches learning. I mean, I didn’t even know where the restroom was until April…And I had not worked with [Fickell] on a day-to-day basis. This year, there’s none of that.”

Longo is working to improve a Badger offense that finished No. 93 in scoring offense (23.5 points per game) and No. 71 in total offense (381.2 yards per game) in 2023.

He is looking for a similar second-year jump to the one that North Carolina experience from his first season as OC in 2019 to his second in 2020. The Tar Heels finished No. 31 in scoring offense (33.1 points per game) and No. 12 in total offense (474 yards per game) in 2019, then No. 9 in scoring offense (41.7 points per game) and No. 5 in total offense (537.3 yards per game) in 2020.

The Tar Heels were already a strong offensive team when Longo arrived, hence the strong early results. Wisconsin was far from that, and needed a top-down overhaul to adapt to the new system

Looking at 2023 in hindsight does point toward the Badgers needing a longer adjustment period than previously thought. That includes more time in the system and natural continuity within the building, but also a reworked roster built around an entirely new way of doing things.

It’s logical to believe those reasons will lead to a better 2024 output.

But the big question surrounds how much better the output will be. And importantly, is that improvement enough to prove Fickell and Longo’s long-term vision for the program.

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

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

Wisconsin OC Phil Longo: Badgers have true ‘competition’ at quarterback

Wisconsin OC Phil Longo: Badgers have true ‘competition’ at quarterback

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is echoing the recent words of head coach Luke Fickell regarding the Badgers quarterback competition entering fall training camp.

“It’s a competition,” Longo said during his media availability on Monday. “Is there anything other than a close competition? These guys are battling right now.”

Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp

The comments were made as Fickell, Longo, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and several top players met with the local media on Monday, a day before the team officially begins its training camp practice at UW-Platteville.

Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke will enter that practice as the projected starter. He transferred to Wisconsin this offseason with three years of high-level starting experience, including an ACC Rookie of the Year debut season in 2021. Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke, meanwhile, was thrust into action ahead of schedule last year for the Badgers. His future with the program is bright, but the program’s offseason addition of Van Dyke made its intentions clear entering the season.

Nevertheless, Longo and Fickell have both been sure to highlight the word ‘competition’ when speaking publicly about the team’s dynamic at quarterback over the last week.

That may be done to promote development and keep options open. Or there may be a smaller gap between the two players than many realize. Either way, an answer will become clear as the team begins its practice this week and next.

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

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

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from 2026 quarterback Jarin Mock

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from 2026 quarterback Jarin Mock

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2026 quarterback Jarin Mock on Saturday.

Mock is the first player to commit to the Badgers in the class of 2026. He announces his decision after receiving an offer from the program back in mid-May. He commits to Wisconsin over other offers including Central Michigan, Marshall, UMass and Miami (OH).

Related: These 13 Badgers can become household names as the 2024 football season goes on

The 6’3,” 190-pound quarterback is yet to receive a ranking from 247Sports, Rivals, or On3 at this early stage in the cycle. The Pickerington, Ohio native is only a rising junior in high school entering 2024. He still has several high school seasons to gain recognition from the recruiting services and more nationwide offers.

Wisconsin was the first Power Four program to extend an offer to the under-the-radar recruit. The Badgers have now received Mock’s commitment before other programs across the sport assuredly attempt to enter his recruitment.

As mentioned, the young quarterback is the first player committed to Wisconsin in the class of 2026. His announcement comes as the Badgers continue work in the class of 2025 cycle, currently sitting with the No. 22-ranked class in the nation.

This headline also follows recent shifts within the Badgers recruiting department. Ace personnel director Max Stienecker was promoted to general manager, just as the Badgers hired Alabama recruiting specialist Brandon Rose as an assistant director of player personnel, promoted Izayah Green-May to assistant director of player personnel and promoted Jared Thompson to college scouting coordinator.

Wisconsin’s recent quarterback recruiting includes 2024 four-star Mabrey Mettauer and 2025 three-star Braedyn Locke. The Badgers are sure to continue to heavily invest in the position as the quarterback-centric Phil Longo era continues.

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

Wisconsin omitted from EA Sports College Football 25’s top offense power ratings

Wisconsin omitted from EA Sports College Football 25 offense power ratings

The Wisconsin Badgers were on the outside of EA Sports College Football 25’s offense power ratings.

The soon-to-be-released video game unveiled the top 25 offensive units in the game. Georgia unsurprisingly leads the way with a 94 overall rating, followed by Oregon at 94 and Alabama at 91. The bottom part of the top 25 includes Florida State, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and USC all with an overall rating of 83.

Related: EA Sports College Football 25 unveils ranking of toughest places to play in college football

Wisconsin notably enters the season with ESPN SP+’s No. 80-ranked offense. That mark is anchored by a few rough years of output, especially by its average of only 23.5 points per game in 2023 against a light Big Ten West schedule. The ranking could rise significantly this season if the Badgers put forth a resurgent second season under offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

Missing EA Sports’ top 25 ranking should be no surprise as the Badgers’ offense has mostly struggled since the program’s terrific 2019 season. Veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke transferred to Madison, Wisconsin this offseason to change that trend, though he and the team need to prove it on the field before any ratings can change.

 

 

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

WATCH: Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell previews 2024 football season

WATCH: Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell previews 2024 football season

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell joined the Big Ten Network’s ‘B1G Today’ earlier this month to preview the Badgers’ upcoming football season.

He discussed everything to the program’s objectives during spring practice, what needs to be done during fall training camp, the Big Ten’s additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, the location of the Big Ten championship game and the sport’s new 12-team College Football Playoff.

Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten coaching staffs entering the 2024 football season

This offseason is an important one for Luke Fickell and his coaching staff entering year two with the program.

Year one was a disappointment with a 7-6 final record against a light Big Ten West schedule. Initial growing pains should always be expected for head coaches in new locations. But the context surrounding Fickell at Wisconsin is a bit different, as he’s attempting to re-shape the program’s entire identity. That means when the on-field product suffers, it becomes easy to point to the identity shakeup as the reason why.

That is why the 2024 campaign is so important to his tenure with the program. Improvement across the roster is necessary, but especially with Phil Longo’s new air-raid offensive system.

Fickell did not get into specifics on BTN about how the offense must improve and what needs to change year-to-year, but it’s safe to assume that it’s a centerpiece of the program’s offseason work.

For specifics, here is the Wisconsin head coach’s full 5-minute appearance

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

[lawrence-related id=79191,79282,79542,79537,79466,78713]

Wisconsin football class of 2025 WR target announces commitment date

Wisconsin football class of 2025 WR target announces commitment date

Wisconsin football class of 2025 wide receiver target Muizz Tounkara will announce his collegiate commitment on July 13.

The three-star wide receiver’s announcement coincides with the release of his top three schools. Wisconsin, alongside Kansas and Arizona, will vie for the Texas native’s commitment in mid-July.

The decision date and top three arrive roughly three weeks after Tounkara picked up a 247Sports crystal ball prediction to land with the Badgers.

The prediction came from Badger247’s Nick Osen and was given with a ‘medium’ confidence level. Still, the forecast remains the only one on Tounkara’s recruiting profile thus far.

247sports ranks the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder as the No. 744 player in the class of 2025, No. 116 wide receiver and No. 124 recruit from his home state of Texas. The rising senior ventured to UW for an official visit on May 31 before heading to Lawrence, Kansas and Tucson, Arizona the weekend of June 7 and June 14, respectively.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 recently added four-star LB Mason Posa, four-star WR Eugene Hilton Jr. and three-star DL Wilnerson Telemaque, bringing the group’s overall total to 20 commitments. Nine of those commitments have come since the June official visit window began. The possible addition of Tounkara would bring those totals to 21 and 10 respectively.

In addition to Hilton at the wide receiver position, UW has also secured a commitment from three-star Cameron Miller.

Wisconsin omitted from PFF’s ranking of college football’s top offensive lines for 2024

Wisconsin omitted from PFF’s ranking of college football’s top offensive lines for 2024

The Wisconsin Badgers were omitted from ProFootballFocus’ ranking of the top offensive lines in college football entering the 2024 season.

The top 10 list instead comprised of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Missouri, Miami, Florida State and Florida.

Related: Where every Big Ten team ranks in ESPN’s 2024 College Football Power Index

This ranking comes after the Badgers also missed the service’s list of college football’s top wide receiver corps, quarterback rooms and running back duos.

Understandably, PFF isn’t high on the Badgers after consecutive 7-6 seasons.

But Wisconsin does enter the 2024 season with a combination of talent, experience and potential across its line. Its starting five from left-to-right projects to be Jack Nelson, Joe Brunner, Jake Renfro, Joe Huber and Riley Mahlman.

Nelson and Mahlman are multi-year starters and NFL hopefuls, Renfro and Huber each have high-level starting experience and Brunner enters as a highly-touted prospect.

ProFootballFocus did recently rank Riley Mahlman among the top 10 returning Big Ten offensive tackles. So the service is more doubtful of the rest of the Badgers’ line after several seasons below the program’s sky-high standard.

There isn’t much to argue. Wisconsin has not excelled along the line since 2019. Struggles and coaching changes at the position partially contributed to the end of the Paul Chryst era and eventual hire of Luke Fickell.

Now the program runs an air raid offense, which gives the line an almost entirely-new job description. There is a valid point to waiting to see top-end results from the team before assuming its offensive line play is back to the program standard.

I’d bet on a better adjustment in the second year of Phil Longo’s offense and on the overall talent in the room — especially among the starting unit. But many still have a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the position.

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

[lawrence-related id=78222,78125,78169,78038,77604]