MADISON – Spring practice is done and Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell likes the progress of his team.
After the final practice Wednesday, April 28, at Camp Randall Stadium, Fickell addressed the media.
Here are four takeaways from the 12-minute press conference as he touched on the team’s play in the trenches and under center as well as the state of the team physically as it turns its attention to preparations for fall camp.
Wisconsin’s offensive line play has been encouraging
What aspect of the Badgers has been most encouraging to their fourth-year coach?
The offensive line is probably at or near the top of the list. Fickell cited the group as he highlighted the “really good things” that took place this spring.
Some of the Badgers’ most important moves of the offseason involved the unit. Eric Mateos went through his first spring coaching the line, tackle Kevin Heywood returned from an ACL injury and newcomers PJ Wilkins and Austin Kawecki made immediate impacts.
“I’m really excited about where we’re headed with some depth and some guys and a little bit of an edge that we’ve got to continue to push and build on,” he said.
Continuing to build understanding of QB will be key
With three quarterbacks on the roster, including presumed starter Colton Joseph, this spring has been a key time in those players getting comfortable with the offense.
But the learning has gone both ways.
Fickell noted that a key aspect of this spring has been the coaches, in particular offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton gaining an understanding of the quarterbacks’ strengths and in what parts of the offense will they will be most comfortable.
“I think it’s a balance of asking all those guys in that room to grow and recognize what it is that we do because this is how we go about playing our game offensively,” Fickell said. “But also for us offensively, to say, we know there’s a lot on these guys’ plates. What do we have to do to make sure that we’re kind of formulating a little bit more of the offense around what it is that they do and what it is that they can handle?”
Rebuilt defensive front shows promise but has much to prove
The Badgers are replacing their top four defensive linemen, in terms of snaps played, from last season as well as two of its top two outside linebackers.
Six defensive lineman rotated regularly with the first this spring. On the outside, however Justus Boone (6-5, 280) and Micheal Garner (6-7, 309) were limited for a significant portion of spring ball due to injury, which allowed players like redshirt freshman Jaylen Williams (6-5, 272) and Will McDonald (6-4, 273) to get more work.
“I think what it will do is it gives you an opportunity to see some other guys and develop some pieces,” Fickell said. “I still think we’ve got some good depth inside at the defensive line, but guys that we haven’t seen play really truly through a season, and so those are the things that always kind of keep your line awake even though you just had a really good spring practice.”
Competition marks secondary play
Wisconsin succeeded in making its roster more competitive.
What group symbolized that? The secondary has an argument as both corner spots remain far from being decided as redshirt freshman Jai’mier Scott, redshirt sophomores Eric Fletcher and Cai Bates and senior Javan Robinson, are competing for starting roles.
Fickell noted that no player has locked himself into a top role, even veteran safety Marvin Burks.
“I think that there’s a mix back there in the back end that gives us some flexibility for what we want to be able to do,” Fickell said. “But I think more than anything, there’s some competition.
“And I think that’s where even guys like (safety Marvin Burks) that are rolling in here as a guy that started for a couple years and expected to come in and be a starter, he’s got to compete every single day.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Four takeaways from Luke Fickell after Wisconsin’s final spring practice
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
