MADISON – The ebb and flow of spring practice was in effect Thursday, April 16.
Two days after Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell criticized the offense for lax play, the unit rebounded with a much better showing during a two-hour workout at Camp Randall Stadium that took place under clear skies and in temperatures in the low 60s.
The practice was conducted in helmets and partial pads, which resulted in a more physical workout than Tuesday.
Many of the day’s standouts were newcomers. Here are four takeaways.
Bryan Jackson, running game look good
The pecking order of the running backs is far from set, but junior Bryan Jackson is setting himself up to be a factor in the team’s ground game.
In addition to being the team’s biggest back at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he also appears shiftier and faster than expected. There was no tackling Thursday but the USC transfer made a handful of quality runs.
Speaking of running backs, Darrion Dupree deserves a shout out as he showed his hands and elusiveness on a catch over the middle. The junior extended to make the catch and almost simultaneously cut up field. The move showed impressive burst.
Tackle PJ Wilkins measures up against speed rush
Mississippi transfer PJ Wilkins played guard last season. He is running with the first team at left tackle for UW. One reason is his ability to handle speed off the edge.
The 6-6, 340-pound redshirt junior won one-on-one drill battles with fifth-year senior outside linebackers Tyreese Fearbry and Sebastian Cheeks and sophomore linebacker Jon Jon Kamara. Later, Wilkins set up as a right tackle and won a matchup with Cheeks but later came up on the short end in a matchup with sophomore Nicolas Clayton.
Jai’mier Scott comes up with a couple of turnovers
Redshirt freshman corner Jai’mier Scott has been splitting time with the first team defense and has made his share of plays this spring. Thursday he added to the list with an interception for what would have been a pick-6 off a deflection by Cai Bates and forced a fumble on a shot to Dupree.
Freshman quarterback gets on roll
Ryan Hopkins is far from challenging for the starter or top backup role, but the incoming freshman got on a roll late in the practice.
The stretch included …
* A perfectly lofted throw to sophomore receiver Eugene Hilton for a about a 35-yard gain to the 2-yard line.
* A back-shoulder throw that junior Shamar Rigby twisted his body to grab.
* A throw to Rigby in a tight window in the middle of the field.
Malachi Coleman, Eric Fletcher make play of the day
Redshirt junior Malachi Coleman’s 25-yard touchdown catch during a red zone drill was so good that even those close to the play insisted he made the grab out of bounds.
He didn’t.
To make the grab of a 25-yard touchdown pass from Deuce Adams, the 6-5, 205-pound junior needed to maintain focus on the ball. Redshirt sophomore corner Eric Fletcher deflected the throw, but Coleman managed the catch and got his left foot in bounds before his right foot hit out of bounds.
It was a good effort by Coleman and Fletcher.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: QB Ryan Hopkins, RB Bryan Jackson among standouts at Wisconsin practice
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
