Wisconsin Badgers: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Wisconsin season with what you need to know.

Wisconsin Badgers College Football Preview 2021: Top Players

Best Wisconsin Badgers Offensive Player

QB Graham Mertz, Soph.
The hope is for Jalen Berger to rise up and be the next great Wisconsin superstar, and it would be nice if one or three of the O linemen show off next-level talent, but the program is about the quarterback right now.

Mertz was a special get for the Badgers. He’s not just the fits-the-type passer with decent skills and the ego to work within the system – he could’ve gone to Alabama. He could’ve gone to Clemson. Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU – he could’ve gone anywhere he wanted.

He showed of that upside early last year against Illinois, was solid in the bowl win against Wake Forest, and in between he was simply trying to get through the season after getting Covid and losing his star receivers. It’s Wisconsin and it’s going to run the ball, but Mertz is the franchise.

2. OT Logan Bruss, Sr.
3. TE Jake Ferguson, Sr.
4. OT Tyler Beach, Sr.
5. RB Jalen Berger, RFr.

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Best Wisconsin Badgers Defensive Player

LB Jack Sanborn, Sr.
He’s not all that big, but the 6-2, 235-pounder has hit everything over the last two seasons, making 132 tackles and 6.5 sacks with 13 tackles for loss in his last two seasons. There’s not a lot of flash and he’ll be more about holding firm agains the run on the inside, but he and fellow linebacker Leo Chenal will make a whole lot of plays.

2. LB Leo Chenal, Jr.
3. CB Caesar Williams, Sr.
4. S Scott Nelson, Sr.
5. CB Faion Hicks, Sr.

Top Incoming Wisconsin Badgers Transfer

DE Isaac Townsend, Soph.
The Badgers have defensive ends. They lose a few stars, but Matt Henningsen is back after only playing two games last season, and they’re getting in a true pass rushing prospect from Oregon.

The 6-6, 235-pound Townsend blew off Notre Dame, Nebraska and Washington for the Ducks, didn’t play for them, and now is stepping in for the Wisconsin defensive front where he should be an instant factor.

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Keys To The Season
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Wisconsin Badgers Schedule Analysis

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