The Wisconsin football team boasted the top-ranked scoring defense in the country last season. Wisconsin will look to build on that performance with a new defensive coordinator, Justin Wilcox, after Dave Aranda left for LSU.
Football: UW defensive coordinator Dave Aranda leaves for LSU
Meet the new crop of freshmen that will learn under Wilcox next season:
Defensive line (5)
Garrett Rand ★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DL Garrett Rand #NSD2016 https://t.co/umSf8oYYu1
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
There was concern Rand would de-commit after Aranda’s departure, but just days before signing day, Rand confirmed he would stay to play under Wilcox. He is the No. 1 ranked defensive tackle in Arizona and ranked 16th nationally, according to Scout.com. Rand recored 92 tackles and 15 sacks in his senior season.
Tyler Biadasz ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DL Tyler Biadasz #NSD2016 https://t.co/k2CMUCs1RJ — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Biadasz’s senior season consisting of 70 tackles, seven sacks and five forced fumbles earned him the 2015 Tim Krumrie Award as Wisconsin’s most outstanding senior defensive linemen. He is ranked 88th nationally among defensive linemen, according to Scout.com
Isaiah Loudermilk ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DL Isaiahh Loudermilk #NSD2016 https://t.co/pK7xk1SbgH
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Loudermilk boasts a massive 6-foot-7, 270-pound frame and logged 97 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions as a senior. He did, however, play eight-man football in high school in Kansas, making for a potentially more difficult transition into the college game.
Keldric Preston ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DE Keldric Preston #NSD2016 https://t.co/v2rOFWuGtd — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Preston is a coming off a senior season where he recorded 64 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles en route to winning team MVP. He is ranked as the No. 19 defensive end in Florida, according to Scout.com
Luke Benzschawel ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DL Luke Benzschawel #NSD2016 https://t.co/zVKyu2Ldlg
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Benzschawel is current Wisconsin offensive linemen Beau Benzschawel’s younger brother, but will likely play on the opposite side of the ball. He played both tight end and defensive end as a senior in high school and was named all-region at both positions. Benzschawel finished his final season with 83 tackles and nine sacks.
Linebackers (4)
Noah Burks ★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers OLB Noah Burks #NSD2016 https://t.co/FvNMg1lvqk — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Burks was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press as a senior, recording 89 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions in his final season. He is listed as the No. 1 outside linebacker in Indiana, according to Scout.com
Griffin Grady ★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers OLB Griffin Grady #NSD2016 https://t.co/UksW1l3Nad
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Grady had an incredibly productive senior season, recording 151 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. He shows strong speed for the position with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash time and is listed as the No. 1 inside linebacker in Ohio, according to Scout.com.
Dallas Jeanty ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers LB Dallas Jeanty #NSD2016 https://t.co/cCjEwgtqBW — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Jeanty recorded 94 tackles, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his senior season. That production made way for the linebacker to be selected for the 2016 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.
Mason Stokke ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers OLB Mason Stokke #NSD2016 https://t.co/Wh9Zhcnb6K
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Stokke was named to first-team all-state in his senior season as both a linebacker and running back after rushing for 1,740 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns while recording 184 tackles and two sacks. Stokke was also given the 2015 John Anderson Award as Wisconsin’s top senior linebacker.
Defensive backs (6)
Eric Burrell ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers S Eric Burrell #NSD2016 https://t.co/Yh59q4M83H — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Burrell was selected for the 2016 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl following his senior season and was a consensus all-state selection in both his junior and senior seasons. He recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions in his final season.
Dontye Carriere-Williams ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers CB Dontye Carriere-Williams #NSD2016 https://t.co/52kKRrHz6t
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Carriere-Williams finished his high school career with 70 tackles and five interceptions, all while helping his team to back-to-back state championships.
Seth Currens ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers S Seth Currens #NSD2016 https://t.co/4rjzLoP3WS — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Currens was named a first-time all-state performer by the Associated Press as a senior after recording 73 tackles and three interceptions. The versatile athlete also played on the offensive side of the ball, recording 669 passing yards, 254 receiving yards and 250 rushing yards in his final season. He is listed as the No. 2 safety in Ohio, according to Scout.com.
Patrick Johnson ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers S Patrick Johnson #NSD2016 https://t.co/n9AWx6cfC3
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Johnson missed his entire senior season due to an injury, but was a second-team all-state performer as a junior in high school after recording 48 tackles and five interceptions. Despite missing his senior season, he is still listed as the No. 3 safety in Maryland, according to Scout.com.
Ke’Shan Pennamon ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers CB Ke’Shan Pennamon #NSD2016 https://t.co/jArHRicBQt — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Pennamon boasts solid speed, but a smaller frame. He was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press as a senior after recording 57 tackles and two forced fumbles. The cornerback also got some work on offense, catching 10 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns in his final season.
Caesar Williams ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers CB Caesar Williams #NSD2016 https://t.co/1W5h84mpOO
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Williams finished his high school career with 12 interceptions, as he managed three picks in each season. Williams also presents potential kick returning capabilities, returning one kickoff return for a touchdown in his final season.
Deron Harrell ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers DB Deron Harrell #NSD2016 https://t.co/a8a1IUQ9qy — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Harrell was recruited as a defensive back, but threw for 1,347 yards and 17 touchdowns in his high school senior season. He was, however, a first-team all-conference performer at defensive back in his final season, recording four interceptions on the year.
Special Teams (1)
Anthony Lotti ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers P Anthony Lotti #NSD2016 https://t.co/vmlx3L7gr7
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Lotti was named a first-team All-American by Kohl’s following his senior season and is recognized as one of the best punters in the 2016 class. Lotti managed to kick 15 punts of 50-plus yards in his final high school season.
