2000 Badger Football Preview

Punter
Free Safety
Strong Safety
Cornerback
Inside Linebacker
Drop Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
Place-Kicker
Offensive Center
Offensive Guard
Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Fullback
Tailback
Quarterback

Punter

Starter: Kevin Stemke
Reserves: Vitaly Pisetsky, Kirk Munden

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: D (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Stemke should return to his status as one of the better punters in the country this fall after seemingly being much healthier (back). Stemke is probably never going to be a 48+ yard punter like Reggie Roby or punters of that ilk, but his leg is good for 44 or so yards per kick if his consistency is there. In addition, his hang time and directional ability are top notch, which puts him at or neat the top of the net yards per kick category, even in an off year like last year. Finally, an underrated aspect of Stemke's game is his athletic ability, which allows him to handle the occasional bad snap.

Pisetsky is the emergency backup and I have never seen him punt so your guess is as good as mine.

Munden is a walk-on who showed some promise during the spring game. Depending on who is brought in next year, he may get a shot at the starting job.

Free Safety

Starter: Jason Doering
Reserves: Ryan Aillo, Carlease Clark

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: C (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Doering is solid and durable. While he never will be fast, his understanding of angles, his sure tackling, and his instinctual play will always make him an asset.

Behind Doering is true frosh Ryan Aiello. Anytime a true frosh is in a position of importance on the depth chart, I think it is somewhat fair to call it a slight position of concern. However, Aiello has drawn raves from the coaching staff and looks to be a Doering-clone.

Clark began his Badger career at corner, but he just wasn't fast enough to handle the position. I don't expect him to ever get significant playing time.

Strong Safety

Starter: Joey Boese
Reserves: Devery Hughes, Stephon Watson, Kareem Timbers

TOP LEVEL TALENT: C
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: B- (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Boese is far from an impressive physical specimen. However, he is steady and makes plays and with 3 veterans around him, he should be fine. He is basically another corner on the field so in the nickel package, Wisconsin will essentially have 4 corners on the field along with Doering to head hunt. Whether Joey can hold up durability wise against the run is the real question with him.

I have always thought that Watson remains the guy the coaches would like to see win the job (moving Boese back to nickel back), though he still appears to be the #3 SS. He certainly passes the look test and is an athletic hitter. He should provide nice depth at the very least this year.

A surprise has been the improved play of Devery Hughes. Despite not being a key player in the coaches plans, he has hung in there and is currently listed #2. He has added some weight and he does run fairly well and while he isn't the most fluid in pass coverage, as a #2 strong safety, he can be adequate (though I need to see him play more to feel terribly strong about him).

Timbers is somewhat in the Watson mode, in that he is a big kid relative to other safeties. I believe he will eventually move to linebacker, much like Bryson Thompson did.

Cornerback

Starters: Jamar Fletcher, Mike Echols
Reserves: BJ Tucker, Michael Broussard, Bret Burlingame, Chuckie Cowans

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: D (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Go ahead, just try to find a better pair of corners in the country than Fletch and Eck. I dare you.

Jamar Fletcher is perhaps the premier defensive playmaker in the entire country. His recovery speed and reaction time are tremendous, making up for a relative lack of great straight ahead speed. Despite his slight frame, he also has been remarkably durable in his Badger career. Enjoy him this year, as he will have the opportunity to go pro after this season.

Echols is the "other" guy in the defensive backfield, but he is a terrific corner in his own right. He has improved his tackling over the last few years and while he is not the pure playmaker that Fletcher is, his core coverage ability is All-Big Ten caliber.

At one time, depth at corner was a severe concern. However, BJ Tucker seems to have harnessed his impressive physical skills and is going to be a solid corner for the Badgers. This year, he will serve as the Badgers nickel back.

True frosh Michael Broussard is running with the second team and is a bit larger than the other three. He is also a very versatile athlete. I would imagine the staff would like to redshirt him, with Boese perhaps moving to corner if need be.

Cowans is a project. He has some skills, but is very very small (probably shorter than his listed 5-8).

Burlingame is another in the Badgers long listed of hard working walk-ons that have stuck with the program.

Inside Linebacker

Starters: Bryson Thompson, Nick Greisen
Reserves: Jeff Mack, Darius Jones, Jerron Smith, PJ Cannon, Mark Downing, Howard Boye-Doe

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: B
CONCERN: D (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: When camp started, depth at linebacker was considered a question mark. Now however, it appears the Badgers have a solid two deep.

Greisen is a typical Badger ILB manning the Mike (middle) LB position. He might not be the flashiest of players, but he has decent size and will lay the smack on you.

Thompson is probably the most athletic/fastest of the Badger inside linebackers and he can really run to the ball. Making the correct reads and not overpursuing will be his major areas of emphasis.

The two backups at ILB, Jeff Mack and Darius Jones, have received plenty of publicity this fall and for good reason. Both are playmakers and both will see significant action this fall. Don't be surprised to see either win starting or at least platoon roles with the team. Also look for both to be stalwarts on special teams.

Jerron Smith and Boye-Doe are pretty promising freshmen who looks to be contributors down the road.

Smith is very athletic and just needs to get comfortable with schemes and reads. He also has/had been working some at drop linebacker so don't be surprised to see him there next year with Knight gone. Downing is a solid kid who probably would play over Smith or Boye-Doe if need be. He doesn't possess the most athletic ability but knows where he is supposed to be on the field.

PJ Cannon will never see time from scrimmage.

Drop Linebacker

Starter: Roger Knight
Reserves: Ryan Marks, Travis Jack, Ryan Keepman

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: D
CONCERN: C (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Knight really came around last year and was a solid all-around defender. He finally showed signs of becoming more of a playmaker and was the best Badger linebacker against the pass. He is poised to have a super senior year.

After that, there isn't a whole lot and depth is a concern. Marks is an effort guy who excells on special teams. Still, he has never played significant time from scrimmage and would have to be considered a liability if he were forced into action.

Jack just can't play (though he is a big effort kid) while Keepman will be in his redshirt year while he gets accostomed to the position and adds strength and weight. Neither will contribute this year.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Eric Mahlik and Wendell Bryant
Reserves: Jake Sprague, Chuck Smith, Nick Cochart

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B+
DEPTH: B
CONCERN: C- (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Bryant is one of the premier defensive tackles in college football. He is an active and athletic interior lineman capable of making big plays. He must become more consistently dominating to take the next step.

Mahlik is the plug in the middle of the defense that doesn't get much glory, but plays an integral part in allowing the linebackers to run free. What he lacks in size he makes up with technique.

Sprague is the top reserve inside and has more raw talent than Mahlik, but has not always played with the intensity the staff would like to see. He is an upper echelon backup though.

Smith is a capable backup, but not much more. Still, as your 4th DT, he is about as good as you will find.

Cochart is much like Mahlik in that he is not very big, but is fierce and a pretty good technician. Still, he is VERY small for a noseguard.

This position is solid, though they really can't afford significant injuries here as Palermo likes to rotate his tackles, and I don't know that you want guys like Cochart or Smith getting major snaps here.

Defensive End

Starters: John Favret and Ross Kolodziej
Reserves: Ben Herbert, George Pratt, Jesse Mayfield, Delante McGrew, Traison Lewis, Jonathan Welsh, Erasmus James

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: A
CONCERN: F (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Defensive end is perhaps the most well-stocked position on the Badgers entire unit. Favret is a four year starter who I predict will have a very solid season, not being hampered by injuries this year.

Also of aid will be Ben Herbert who will spell Favret at rush end, keeping him fresher and thus more effective. Herbert still is a bit undersized against the run and not as technically sound as Favret, though he has more of a burst on the outside and should see a lot of time in the nickel package.

On the other side (the run stuffing position), Ross Kolodziej holds down the fort. He is an impressive physical specimen who is a stalwart against the run despite not having the consistent motor that Favret does.

Pratt is a beast but hasn't put it all together yet. Still, he conceivably could be a starter for many Big Ten teams.

McGrew is another smallish quick DE who will fight Lewis, Welsh, and James for PT once Favret is gone.

Jesse Mayfield is an intruiging prospect with immense talent, though has battled injuries througout his career. I am still skeptical about whether or not he will see the field as a Badger as a result.

Place-Kicker

Starter: Vitaly Pisetsky
Reserves: Adam Espinoza, Mark Neuser

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A-
DEPTH: B
CONCERN: F (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Pisetsky was an All-Big Ten performer last year so this position looks solid. I acutally don't expect him to be quite as consistent this year, but he will be effective nonetheless. More consistent kickoffs might be a goal for Vitaly this year.

Espinoza looks to have a promising future and has drawn rave reviews this fall.

Neuser is your typical Rich Schnetsky type walkon.

Offensive Center

Starter: Casey Rabach
Reserves: Al Johnson, Jonathan Clinkscales

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A-
DEPTH: A
CONCERN: F (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Rabach is one of the best centers in the country. While he is a fine all-around player, performing more consistently against top flight opposition might be Casey's goal this year (though fewer run blitzing LBs might make his job easier as well).

Not only do the Badgers have All-American candidate Rabach on hand, Al Johnson is perhaps the top reserve among the backup OL and could slide to guard if he was needed this year.

Clinkscale is a very athletic promising freshman who also looks to have a promising future.

Offensive Guard

Starters: Bill Ferrario, Dave Costa
Reserves: Jason Jowers, Dan Buenning, Jeremy Dox, Angelo Paganafanador, Kalvin Barrett

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: D (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Ferrario and Costa are four year starters and are as solid a guard combination as you are going to find in the conference. Both are tough as nails and both improved their ability in space last year and look to be contenders for post season honors.

Jason Jowers was fairly thought of at one time, though seems to have fallen out of favor as he has not developed as hoped.

As such, Jeremy Dox, much like Jakubowski, probably would be the first pure guard inserted in the event of a major injury. He too was not lived up to billing, though will probably be a decent starter next year.

Buenning is a true frosh who looks to be on the fast track to playing time. The position is solid.

Offensive Tackle

Starters: Ben Johnson, Brian Lamont
Reserves: Morgan Davis, Josh Jakubowski, Mike Lorenz, Fred Nieforth, Eric Benedict

TOP LEVEL TALENT: C+
DEPTH: C-
CONCERN: B+ (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Both Johnson and Lamont have legit All-Big Ten type bodies/skill (esp. Johnson), though both are question marks heading into the season. After mediocre (to be kind) spring game performances, both have reportedly played better and Alvarez seems comfortable with their peformanes this fall. While this causes me to rest a bit easier, I still think you are going to see a lot of bootlegs, waggles, and overall movment by Bollinger to keep the pressure off the tackles. The big question is what happens on 3rd and 8 when guys like Karon Riley and Akin Ayodele are coming hard and fast off the corner?

Jakubowski looks to be the safe choice as primary backup, being the most experienced player while Davis is more of the developmental type player who should see time on the line down the road.

Nieforth and Benedict are walk-ons, though pretty decent ones from what I have heard. On a pretty talented offense, I believe the tackles to be the only legitimate potential weak link.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Chris Chambers, Nick Davis, Lee Evans
Reserves: Conroy Whyte, Jamal Wilson, Chris Catalano, Byron Brown, David Braun, Jamar Fletcher

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A-
DEPTH: D
CONCERN: A- (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Ironic I suppose that today is the day I take a look at the wide receivers in lieu of the injury to Chambers. When Chambers is healthy, this postion looks set with a nice blend of big play ability and explosiveness along with experience and consistency. However, the injury to Chambers really puts a strain on the receivers.

Davis has some tools as we all know, but he has not yet shown any ability to convert this into plays FROM THE RECEIVER POSITION. I think he will be more of a threat than he has in the past, but he is far far from an accomplished receiver.

Evans on the other hand is already a more accomplished pure receiver, though he is much more suited to be a #3 than a full time starter at this stage in his development. While Evans/Davis should be able to give the team some big plays (fingers crossed), neither looks to be the time of guy a QB can look to on a key third down play (like Chambers is).

Whyte is very similiar to Davis in that he is small but presumingly evasive. But, like Evans, he has not had the chance to show this yet.

Both Brown and Fletcher are intruiging options in that both are very gifted athletes. However, both are going to be pretty raw in terms of route running and grasping the offense.

Finally, the one guy in this bunch who might be a savior of sorts is Jamal Wilson. This former walkon is the tallest of the receivers (6-3) and could presumably be that big go to type possesion receiver if he becomes more consistent catching the ball.

Over the short term, one would hope that this group has enough to offer that they can offset some of Chambers' absence. However, there is no way they can replace Chambers long term so let's keep our fingers crossed with regards to the length of his absence.

Tight End

Starter: John Sigmund
Reserves: Dague Retzlaff, Mark Anelli

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: A
CONCERN: F (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Sigmund is listed as the starter here based on the conclusion of last season, though all three tight ends should see time in various situations. While the Badgers do not have what one might call a complete tight end, their collection is well suited for what Wisconsin's offense does. Both Sigmund and Retzlaff are both very good to excellent blockers, both having taken large steps forward last season. They are adequate receivers in that they rarely drop the ball, but their relative lack of footspeed would limit them in a different offense. Anelli is a bit smaller but is more of a pass catching threat but isn't the "extra-tackle" that the other two are. I expect a solid year out of all three.

Fullback

Starter: Chad Kuhns
Reserves: Carlos Daniels, Wendell Davidson, Isaac Booker, Erik Bickerstaff

TOP LEVEL TALENT: A
DEPTH: B
CONCERN: D- (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: This position is rock solid for the Badgers. Kuhns is among the best fullbacks in college football and is a durable tough player.

Daniels is a very competent backup, having played quite a bit the last two seasons. While he doesn't catch the ball very well and isn't a tremendous blocker, he does add a rushing element to the position.

Booker and Davidson are both transplanted tailbacks with Big Ten physiques and have about as much upside as any #3 and #4 fullbacks in the conference.

Tailback

Starter: Michael Bennett
Reserves: Broderick Williams, Eddie Faulkner, Matt Unertl, Tyron Griffin, Isaac Booker

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B-
DEPTH: B
CONCERN: C (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: I am not sold on Michael Bennett. I hate to say it and I have caught some flak for saying so, but that is where I stand at this point. Don't get me wrong, I think he is going to offer some valuable assets to the team from the tailback position. He is capable of the big play and is going to be a real threat splitting wide in the passing game, so much so that I can seem him essentially being the 4th WR in certain sets. However, he just hasn't proven to me yet that he is a running back in his ability to produce effectively from down to down. He appears to be improving, but still is not adept at hitting the hole properly which will kill him against good teams.

As a result, I expect either Griffin or Booker (moved to FB since this report) to get a real solid shot at serious playing time this year as both appear to be more natural running backs.

Broderick Williams has nice speed, but reminds me of Carl McCullough in his lack of lean and his high running style, causing him to lack that explosion upon contact in the hole.

Overall, I think there are enough viable candidates that Wisconsin will have a good running attack. Alvarez knows what he is doing when it comes to running the ball to be sure. However, whether it is the Bennett show or the Bennett-Griffin or Bennett-Booker show remains to be seen.

Quarterback

Starter: Brooks Bollinger
Reserves: Jim Sorgi, Scott Wille, and Matt Schabert

TOP LEVEL TALENT: B
DEPTH: C
CONCERN: B (a grade of A indicates a LOT of concern while a grade of F indicates little concern)

ANALYSIS: Despite Barrry Alvarez's comments, I fully expect Schabert to settle in as the #4 QB and redshirt this season. I also think that both Sorgi and Wille have the talent to be solid Big Ten quarterbacks despite their early struggles. However, calling the QB position secure after Bollinger at this point is obviously a stretch. When it comes to Bollinger, he is a consumate playmaker with the abilith to beat teams on the ground as well as through the air. My concern with Brooks would lie in whether or not he can become a pure pocket passer when he needs to be as well as his propensity to have "happy feet" and tuck the ball under his arm so quickely. The truly great QBs are able to strike a balance in this regard, but I am not convinced that Bollinger is at that point yet. Still, he is the straw that will stir the Badgers' drink this year and losing him would be a devastating blow.

Ahhhh...kickoff is hours away. As I have done the last few years, a few season predictions.

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