MADISON – Wisconsin couldn’t beat the rain Aug. 9.
The Badgers football team held its fourth practice of fall camp, starting the work in temperatures in the high 60s and under overcast skies. The practice, however, quickly moved inside to the Kellner Family Athletic Center just before rain moved into the area.
Here are the takeaways and the highlights from the day.
Malachi Coleman’s presence looms large
Coleman, who is 6-foot-5 and 205, is a big target who had a dominant workout.
The redshirt junior made catches in a variety of fashions, working the middle of the field and flat and getting a couple of balls from over the top of the defense.
His big day started with a deep ball along the sideline that he made a contested grab on. He made the most of his size on that play. Later he showed his speed on a catch across the middle that he turned into a big play and on a deep ball from Deuce Adams that went for a touchdown.
Coleman showed strong hands with a grab in the flat that he made while off balance and falling backwards.
Coleman was one of the Badgers more intriguing transfer portal additions. A four-star prospect coming out of high school, he started five games at Nebraska as a true freshman but wasn’t able to build on that season in 2024 with the Corinhuskers or last season at Minnesota.
The defense was filled ball hawks
It’s no secret the Badgers have struggled to create takeaways the past couple of years. That wasn’t the case Aug. 9.
Here are a few.
Two memorable moments for Nizyi Davis
Davis, a redshirt freshman tight end, isn’t in the mix for playing at his position yet, but made two eye-catching plays.
1. During a blitz-pickup drill, he drove safety Luke Emmerich across the formation and into the turf, eliciting a roar from his teammates.
2. He caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Carter Smith. The score was actually the result of a coverage bust, but it showed Davis’ speed.
Productive day for RB Nate Palmer, other tidbits
Running back Nate Palmer has put together a strong fall camp so far. He got a lot of work during the practice. …
Tight end Jacob Harris showed great concentration on a contested, all hands catch that came as Scott aggressively contested the play. ..
Cornerback Eric Fletcher had a couple of PBU’s and put together another strong day. …
Despite Fletcher’s play, freshman Jai’mier Scott split No. 1 reps at the position. …
Injured offensive linemen Emerson Mandell and Kevin Heywood sat out practice. Heywood wore a walking boot on his right foot.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Receiver Malachi Coleman comes up big on Day 4 of Wisconsin fall camp
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
