Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell mentions 6 true freshmen who could contribute in 2024

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media on Sunday evening after the Badgers wrapped up their second week of fall training camp.

The biggest note from the period was Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke reportedly trending toward capturing the starting quarterback job.

Fickell avoided naming Van Dyke the starter during his press conference. But practice reps are reportedly telling the story of Van Dyke as the No. 1, and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke as the No. 2.

Related: Wisconsin has terrific history when entering football season unranked in AP Poll

One other significant note from Fickell’s availability: he mentioned six true freshmen who could see the field and contribute as early as this season.

Those players: OT Kevin Heywood, CB Xavier Lucas, OT Emerson Mandell, OT Colin Cubberly, RB Darrion Dupree and RB Dilin Jones.

Luke Fickell mentioned Kevin Heywood, Xavier Lucas, Emerson Mandell, Colin Cubberly, Darrion Dupree, and Dilin Jones as true freshmen who could play in 2024.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/SGVz4yRndu

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 12, 2024

Here are relevant notes and context surrounding each player:

• Heywood was the No. 50 overall player in the class of 2024 and is living up to that billing. He reportedly turned heads during spring practice and may win the backup job at left tackle
• Mandell (No. 191 in the class) and Cubberly (No. 661) both could compete for depth roles along the line. That is due in part to the program’s lack of depth at the position, especially after an injury to Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson.
• Lucas (No. 372) has been one of the bigger standouts at fall camp. Wisconsin is loaded in the secondary. Him already in position to make an impact is a testament to his talent and potential.
• Breakout performances from Dupree (No. 392) and Jones (No. 146) have dominated the headlines at fall camp. Wisconsin has solid veterans in place at the position. But there is precedent for a talented freshman being too good to leave on the sideline (Jonathan Taylor, 2017)

This list also does not mention Thomas Heiberger (four-star, No. 463), who was reportedly in line to compete for snaps at outside linebacker before suffering a knee injury.

Takeaway No. 1 from Fickell’s comment and the storylines from fall camp is that these players will form Wisconsin’s core for years to come.

Takeaway No. 2, importantly, is that Fickell’s top-ranked class of 2024 is already become a success story only months after joining the program. Fickell’s future at Wisconsin relies on his recruiting prowess leading to better on-field results.

It’s early, but the current signs are positive in that respect.