Linebackers

Projected starters: Reggie Cribbs, Mark Zalewski, Dontez Sanders

Grade: D+

The linebackers will be a major question mark heading into the 2004 campaign. After the departure of All-Big Ten selection Alex Lewis and last season’s leading tackler Jeff Mack, who combined for 187 tackles and 10 sacks last season, the Badgers will turn to a virtually untested set of linebackers. This season’s linebackers earned a combined total of just three starts last year, two of which belong to junior LaMarr Watkins, who switched to a different linebacker position in the offseason. Watkins, who started six games in 2002 in addition to his two starts last season, will compete with junior Dontez Sanders at the ‘Will,’ or weak side, position. Sophomore Reggie Cribbs, a prep All-American who did not see game action last season, is slated to hold the ‘Mike,’ or middle, spot and sophomore Mark Zalewski is in line to fill the ‘Sam,’ or strong side, slot. Sanders will play his third position in three years after switching from wide receiver to defensive back in 2002 before moving to linebacker.

Running backs

Projected starter: Anthony Davis

Grade: A

The return of preseason All-America selection Anthony Davis gives the Badgers one of the strongest rushing attacks in the conference. In his first two seasons, Davis rushed for more yards than any back in the nation (3,021). The senior tailback was on track to make a run for the Heisman trophy last season after posting 414 yards in the first two games, but an injury suffered in week three sidelined him for five of the remaining 10 games and prevented him from compiling a third 1,000-yard season. Despite the injury, Davis ranks third in the nation in rushing yards over his three-year collegiate career (3,703) and needs just seven yards to move into second on the UW career rushing list behind Ron Dayne.

Running behind a veteran offensive line that includes a pair of Outland Trophy watch list selections, Davis will be one of the premier offensive threats in the conference. Davis will see plenty of carries in Barry Alvarez’s run-oriented offense, particularly with a first-year starter at quarterback, making the senior tailback a strong candidate for a 2,000-yard campaign. With Davis headlining a group that includes sophomore Booker Stanley, who rushed for over 100 yards three times in 2003, Wisconsin will have depth and versatility at its signature offensive position. For a team that is 53-5 in the Alvarez era in games that it runs the ball at least 50 times, a deep running-back corps will cause fits for opposing defenses.

Defensive line

Projected starters: Anttaj Hawthorne, Jason Jefferson, Erasmus James, Jonathan Welsh

Grade: A-

The Badgers have the talent and experience on the defensive line to make the unit one of the more dominant in the country. On the inside, team captain Anttaj Hawthorne is as good as anyone around and has a chance to see some serious hardware after this season if he can put up numbers like the ones he put up last year (75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four sacks). At right tackle, senior Jason Jefferson is less heralded than Hawthorne, but no less capable of decimating opposing teams’ running attacks. Jefferson put up 30 tackles and started every game last season — including a season-high five in Wisconsin’s upset of Ohio State. Hawthorne (312 lbs.) and Jefferson (308 lbs.) could stand to pressure the backfield a bit more often but — as run-stoppers — form one of the more formidable duos in the country. At defensive end, the Badgers have more questions, but perhaps also have equal potential. Erasmus James sat out all of the 2003 season with a hip injury. In 2002, though, James looked to be becoming one of the Badgers’ stars, racking up 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks and 17 hurries, and starting in 13 games. Joe Monty is currently projected to start ahead of James, but with limited upside, the sophomore should return to the sidelines as soon as Alvarez and company are comfortable with James’ health. Jonathan Welsh returns at right end after a breakout campaign in 2003. Welsh provides the Badgers with a proven pass-rusher. Last season, the Houston, Texas, native picked up eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Quarterback

Projected starter: John Stocco

Grade: C+

With just 17 passes in his career, John Stocco is far from being a grizzled veteran, but his spring-game performance has provided plenty of hope. Stocco’s learning curve will be fairly mild as the first-year starter will benefit from Anthony Davis in the backfield, a top-notch offensive line protecting him, and an experienced group of receivers on his flanks. Sporting arguably the best arm that has come through the Wisconsin program during the Barry Alvarez era, Stocco may emerge as a star, but he won’t be asked to do more than he is capable of right away. With all the talent around him, Stocco will be asked to avoid mistakes while sprinkling a couple of big plays in here and there. If he can handle that, Wisconsin could have a very efficient and powerful offense. The real question is who will back up Stocco? Redshirt freshman Tyler Donovan seems the likely candidate because of his year of experience in the system. True freshmen Sean Lewis and Bryan Savage could emerge as the top backup with strong performances in camp. The wild card is freshman Marcus Randle El, who could be a versatile weapon at quarterback, but due to his athleticism will get the opportunity to return kicks and line up as a receiver as well.

Special teams

Projected starters: Mike Allen, R.J. Morse, Jim Leonhard, Brandon Williams

Grade: B

One of the hallmarks of the Badgers’ championship teams was the consistently solid play of the special-teams units. Looking to get back to championship form, Barry Alvarez has brought in two highly touted prospects to push the incumbent kickers. Senior Mike Allen is expected to retain the field-goal-kicking duties this season while newcomer Taylor Mehlhaff will likely get to show off his strong leg on kickoffs and may see a few long field-goal attempts. Allen missed four games last year due to injury and still has some lingering effects, leaving the door ajar for Mehlhaff to take over all of the kicking duties.

The punting duties will be handed to R.J. Morse again this season, but redshirt freshman Ken DeBauche will push Morse throughout the season. Morse improved his punting average by nearly three yards a year ago and a similar improvement would make him an invaluable asset this season. One of the strengths for this team will be the return units. With one of the Big Ten’s top punt returners in Jim Leonhard and speedy Brandon Williams bringing back the kickoffs, the return teams will energize the team and provide outstanding field position.

Secondary

Projected starters: Jim Leonhard, Robert Brooks, Scott Starks, Levonne Rowan

Grade: B

Perhaps the unit that will look to benefit most under new defensive coordinator Bret Bielema is the secondary. With two seniors as the starting safeties and a senior and junior at the top two cornerback spots, experience is no problem for the Badgers. Talent shouldn’t be an issue either, with two-time All-American safety Jim Leonhard and field cornerback Scott Starks leading a quick and athletic crew. But for all the talent and experience, the secondary won’t get much credit from anyone until it stops getting torched so often (see 372 yards for Akron, 379 yards for Penn State, 411 yards for Purdue in 2003). Team captain Leonhard was named to the Jim Thorpe watch list in the preseason, and has more interceptions in the past two seasons (18) than anyone else in Division I football. Three interceptions in 2004 will tie him with Jamar Fletcher for the most in UW history. At strong safety, senior Robert Brooks leads the depth chart. Small (5’10”, 181 lbs) and quick, Brooks will need to establish himself as a physical presence to take the next step. Starks broke up 18 passes last season, showing toward the end of the season the shutdown cornerback that he has long had the talent to become. Senior Chuckie Cowans and juniors Brett Bell and Levonne Rowan fill out the cornerback position. None of the three have proven they can be consistently effective.

Wide receivers

Projected starters: Brandon Williams, Jonathan Orr

Grade: B-

Gauging from the play of the then-young Badger receivers in 2002, there’s ample reason to expect a lot from this year’s corps. Although the dependence on Evans last season bred some concern over the development of key players like Jonathan Orr, the group seems ready for life after Lee. With a greater variety of receiving options, expect opportunities to be more evenly distributed between starters Orr and Brandon Williams. Orr in particular, who saw virtually no action following the healthy return of Evans, seems anxious to resurrect the impact-player status of his freshman year. Despite an increase in playing time, Williams experienced a marginal dip in numbers in 2003. Well established on working the short routes, he stands as the most consistent performer to return this year. Darren Charles, after sputtering the first half of the season, came on strong averaging 16.9 yards per catch in the final four games. He begins his senior year second on the depth chart behind Williams but will likely see considerable time in the three-receiver set. On paper the group looks impressive, but lingering doubts following two very flat 2003 campaigns from Orr and Charles will prove difficult to shake.

Offensive line

Projected starters: Tony Paciotti, Dan Buenning, Donovan Raiola, Jonathan Clinkscale, Mike Lorenz, Joe Thomas

Grade: A-

There will be reason to cringe come 2005 when much of the offensive line moves on the NFL or wherever else. However for the time being, the Badgers enjoy the blocking services of an accomplished veteran crew. The quality of the line will offer a promising scenario for the run-oriented offense and grant John Stocco a few extra seconds in the pocket to avoid any unnecessary growing pains. Senior guard Dan Buenning leads the crew that includes three-year starting guard Jonathan Clinkscale and returning starting tackles Morgan Davis and Mike Lorenz. The line displayed some weakness last year on pass protection relenting 37 quarterback sacks. Although the pocket lingering of Jim Sorgi contributed greatly to that figure, coaches aren’t ignoring the issue. To add a burst of speed on the corner, Alvarez will likely start sophomore Joe Thomas at left tackle. Thomas offers better quickness than the incumbent Davis and is reportedly up to weight. The only other starting lineman with years of eligibility left is center Donovan Raiola. Coming off a solid first year at the starting spot, the brother of former All-American Dominic Raiola will be vying for the Dave Rimmington Trophy (to the best center in college football). Senior Tony Paciotti gets the starting spot at tight end. While not a notable receiving threat, he adds yet another veteran blocker up front.