Earning an invitation to the Rose Bowl is one thing, but making the trip two consecutive years is another entirely.
After the mass exodus of talent that followed last year’s shared Big Ten title and Rose Bowl appearance, Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema is now faced with the task of reassembling a championship squad for another go at a conference crown and a BCS bowl invite.
John Clay, Scott Tolzien, J.J. Watt, Gabe Carimi – just a few of the big names from a team that will long be remembered in Badger nation – are gone, and as the Badgers reload for what could be another storied season, here are the top names that could lead the way and leave their own lasting impressions.
1. James White/Montee Ball, RBs
Being two heads of the same rushing monster, White, a sophomore, and Ball, a junior, share the top spot as they’ll be the offense’s engine throughout the season. Even with Clay receiving most of the carries last year, White and Ball combined for a scary stat line: 32 touchdowns and 2,048 yards gained (6.42 per carry). They embody the ideal one-two running back punch: Ball has a downhill, power-running style, while White is fleet-footed and evasive. Although Clay received the starting nods, some people thought it was actually White and Ball who were UW’s top ball carriers last year. At times, it seemed like there just wasn’t enough carries to go around for the three, but now that Clay is gone and another solid offensive line is returning, Ball and White could blaze a trail through the Big Ten – one even wider than last year’s.
2. Russell Wilson, QB
There are certainly plenty of lingering questions regarding how much impact Wilson can have on a team he joined mid-summer, but as the quarterback position seemed to be all that was missing from another Rose Bowl trip, the opportunity surely exists for the athletically gifted North Carolina State transfer to elevate Wisconsin from a team with a missing piece to a premier squad. His proven passing ability (two 3,000-yard seasons) mixed with his mobility (17 career rushing TDs) has never before been seen in the likes of a Wisconsin quarterback.
3. Aaron Henry, S
Now entering his second year at safety after transitioning from cornerback, Henry, a fifth-year senior, could be on the verge of a breakout season. In a year in which he was named second team All-Big Ten by the coaches, Henry had two interceptions – both returned for touchdowns – finished third on the team in tackles, forced one fumble and recovered three more. He displayed a bit of a penchant for laying crushing blows on wide receivers last year as well, but his most valuable asset may be his maturity and leadership skills, which were widely apparent during spring camp.
4. Chris Borland, LB
He might be a little smaller than most linebackers, but Borland has a motor that can match any. Following a Big Ten Freshman of the Year campaign in which he amassed 10.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks, Borland was again off to a fast start last year as a sophomore. He made five tackles, two for a loss and one sack, in the season opener but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the first quarter of the second game. He’ll be moving to middle linebacker this season, taking him off the edge that he thrived so well in, but he’s embracing the switch.
5. Kevin Zeitler/Peter Konz, OL
Replacing Outland Trophy winning tackle Carimi, All-American guard John Moffitt and super-sub Bill Nagy in one year without losing a beat is an astounding feat, but it appears Wisconsin can do it. Zeitler and Konz will be two big support beams holding the offense’s foundation firm. They bring plenty of experience (42 starts between them) and a taste of recognition already. Both earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions last year, and Zeitler was recently named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list.
6. Nick Toon, WR
Health may be the biggest concern for Toon, whose nagging injuries persisted throughout the 2010 season and into this offseason. If he can stay healthy – and if a reliable quarterback emerges – the 6-foot-3, 213-pound fifth-year senior wideout can build off his successful college r?sum?. He’s averaged 14.2 yards per catch throughout his career and proved as a sophomore he can be a team’s No. 1 target by catching 54 balls for 805 yards and four touchdowns. At first glance, the receiving corps may appear to be a little thin for UW, but by the looks of redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jared Abbrederis during spring camp, defenses shouldn’t be able to focus solely on Toon, freeing him up for a potentially big season.
7. Louis Nzegwu, DE
After starting all 13 games last season with fundamentally sound play, Nzegwu is probably the best bet to become the defensive line’s new playmaker following Watt’s departure. He finished second on the team with three sacks and third with seven-and-a-half tackles for loss last year. With UW’s best edge rusher in Borland moving to the middle, pressuring the quarterback is a bit of a question mark for the Badgers at the moment. If Nzegwu can achieve success beyond fundamentals, UW’s defense will have playmakers in all the right places.
