If you don't know who Jack Ikegwuonu is, you will soon. Ikegwuonu is the Badgers' new nickel back and the first cornerback to come off the bench. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound cornerback is giving Badger fans a lot to be excited about. Ikegwuonu is a second-year player who redshirted last year who has played in all five games this year, recording six tackles.

Ikegwuonu got his first career interception last Saturday in Wisconsin's 41-24 win over Indiana when he cut under his wide receiver to make the catch.

"That was a dream come true," Ikegwuonu said. "I actually told one of my teammates the night before that I felt like I was going to get a pick tomorrow."

Sure enough, Ikegwuonu came through. However, he isn't satisfied with just the one interception.

"How do I build off that? The expectations can only be higher," Ikegwuonu said. "Before the season [the coaches] expected me to be a playmaker and that's what I need to do."

A modest young man, Ikegwuonu credits many people for helping him improve, including senior cornerback Brett Bell and former University of Wisconsin standout Scott Starks for teaching him "the things you can't coach … the tricks of the trade."

Besides earning playing time in the games, the biggest difference between last year and this year for Ikegwuonu is his speed.

"I'm able to play faster because I'm more comfortable with my abilities," Ikegwuonu said. "When you come into a Division I program you ask yourself, 'am I cut out for this?' Now I'm really confident in my abilities and I know I can play here."

Despite his confidence, Ikegwuonu admits he still has some things to work on — in particular, watching film.

"I lot of guys who've had past success have picked up tendencies from offenses based on formations and personnel," Ikegwuonu said. "I think that's what going to put me in the right situation in the ballgame."

One thing Ikegwuonu hasn't had a problem with is adjusting to life in Madison. Born and raised in the capitol city, Ikegwuonu attended Memorial High, where he was first-team all-state defensive back and split end. Despite that success, Ikegwuonu was never really sure if he would play football at the next level. A shoulder injury cut his junior season short and effectively ended his baseball career (he was an all-conference centerfielder). "I really had a good senior year," Ikegwuonu said. "My coach came up to me and said, 'You know I really think you can get recruited.' So I said I might as well try to play [at UW].

One man who's glad he did come here is defensive backs coach Ron Lee. Lee helped recruit Ikegwuonu and is pleased with the results, but has high expectations for the redshirt freshman.

"He's about right where I thought he would be and I still expect more of him," Lee said. "What he has improved the most on [since last year] is his confidence. He now knows he can play with the Big Ten."

Lee agrees that speed and strength are Ikegwuonu's best assets, while his biggest weakness is one of the few things that can't be taught: experience.

"The biggest thing we're working on right now is trying to get him on the field," said Lee. "We're trying to make him more valuable to the team."

Indeed, if the first five games of this season are any indication, UW fans are going to be seeing a lot more of Ikegwuonu in the near future.