A mere week and a half from the beginning of the 2016 season, and the University of Wisconsin football team has already been dealt a serious blow.
Head coach Paul Chryst announced Tuesday at the Badgers’ fall camp that fifth-year senior Dan Voltz will retire from the game.
Voltz, a key offensive lineman, suffered a torn ACL during last season’s game against Illinois.
Football Notebook: Center Dan Voltz done for season with right knee injury
“It’s been a hard decision to make,” Voltz said on Tuesday. “Something I’ve dealt with pretty much my whole career is injuries. For physical reasons, (that’s) the main reason that it kind of forced me to start thinking about this.”
The injury kept him from six games total last season, including the final five of the season. Sophomore Michael Deiter covered for the Badger veteran at center those games and is likely to remain at the position this season.
With Voltz’s retirement, the left guard spot he was slotted to will likely be given to redshirt sophomore Micah Kapoi. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound lineman adds some size over the 6-foot-3, 294-pound Voltz.
Kapoi played in 12 games last season, but it is likely that redshirt freshman Jon Dietzen will also be in the mix to start at left guard.
This story will be updated as more information is released.
