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 cornerbacks from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:
One of the main questions heading into the 2019 season was if Wisconsin could have two players from the cornerback position emerge and lock down the position. Considering over the 2018 season the Badgers used seven different starting combinations at the cornerback position.
In 2019 not much changed as the Badgers once again used seven different starting combinations. That’s not a bad thing though as the Badgers for a second consecutive year received good production from their cornerbacks as they helped to only allow 187.3 passing yards a game.
Faion Hicks was one of the constants in the starting lineup at cornerback as he started 12 games for the Badgers, Rachad Wildgoose was second with eight starts, and Caesar Williams started the last seven games this season. Redshirt sophomore Deron Harrell (four starts), redshirt freshman Donte Burton (two starts), and true freshman Semar Melvin (two starts) all started at least two games this past season.
The highlight of the season for Williams was the game against Minnesota as he put his best game to date together. As he registered his only interception of the season against the Gophers and broke up four passes.
With two of his four pass breakups coming on consecutive plays against consensus first-team All-Big Ten wide receiver Tyler Johnson. Minnesota attempted a pass on both third and fourth and goal with Tanner Morgan’s pass attempt intended for Johnson. The problem was Williams was there both times ready to break up the pass.
Hicks once again was steady manning his positon at cornerback as he was a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. Hicks finished the season with 32 tackles, one pass breakup, and one tackle for loss. Hicks has the trust of defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jim Leonhard as he is able to play disciplined football and doesn’t get beat easily.
Wildgoose was able to take a nice step from his true freshman season to his sophomore year. Wildgoose was able to become more consistent in his play as he registered his first interception in his career, which came against Michigan State to help preserve the shutout. Wildgoose once again put himself in a good position to make a play on the football as his six pass breakups were the second most amongst the cornerbacks only trailing Williams who had 11.
2020 Wisconsin Cornerbacks
In 2020 Wisconsin once again could utilize multiple starting combinations but the main three will likely be Hicks, Wildgoose, and Williams. Those three were the most consistent in their play a season ago and if they continue to develop their games the Badgers once again should be to tough pass on. It will also be interesting to see how Leonhard utilizes Melvin who will be a redshirt freshman next year. Considering the talent Wisconsin has at the cornerback position he still played in four games and made two starts. If he continues to develop he’ll push for playing time. Burton and Alexander Smith will need to continue to develop the consistency that is needed if they want to push for playing time in 2020.