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Wisconsin has a well established identity as a program known for their stellar offensive line play, and this season was no different. Per PFF, Wisconsin’s offensive line graded out as the nations 3rd best run blocking unit (88.4).
After finishing the season with a Las Vegas Bowl victory, Wisconsin is set to lose starting offensive linemen Josh Seltzner, and Logan Bruss – leaving UW with at least two starting offensive line spots up for grabs.
Left tackle Tyler Beach will be returning for his sixth year in the program, as reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus. Tyler Beach is capable of starting at either tackle spot, and will bring back 1,464 snaps of experience to UW’s offensive line room.
#Badgers new OL coach will have a lot of young talent in the room. Will also have a veteran tackle who can play on either side of the line. Tyler Beach is coming back for his sixth year.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 3, 2022
Thankfully for Paul Chryst and the Badgers, they’re talent rich along the offensive line. Wisconsin has eight scholarship offensive linemen that were rated four- or five-star prospects coming out of high school.
UW has continually developed NFL talent, and now big-time recruits are finally beginning to funnel into the program.
For reference, the 16th ranked player in the country in 2020 – Nolan Rucci was the scout team left tackle this past season – there are very few programs with that kind of depth.
UW will return plenty of lineman who saw the field in 2021:
- Jack Nelson – 769 snaps.
- Joe Tippmann – 687 snaps.
- Tanor Bortolini – 329 snaps.
- Michael Furtney – 187 snaps.
- Cormac Sampson – 204 snaps.
- Logan Brown – 70 snaps.
Wisconsin cares not about position, instead they put an emphasis on getting their best five lineman on the field. This continually makes for intense position battles along the O-line, and next season will be no different.
Right now, the presumed favorites to start on the offensive line could consist of Joe Tippmann, Jack Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Tyler Beach and Logan Brown.
However, there is going to be stiff competition at every single position due to the immense amount of talent in the offensive line room.
Behind that initial group there are still strong contenders to push for time like Cormac Sampson, Michael Furtney who have each played a lot of football, and prized recruits like Trey Wedig, Riley Mahlman, Nolan Rucci, JP Benzschawel and Joe Brunner.
Wisconsin has plenty of production to replace, but no shortage of talented options. The future of the Badgers offensive line is incredibly bright, filled with players that possess immense upside.
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