McEvoy starting at WR and other observations from Badgers' first depth chart
The 20th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers released their first depth chart on Monday in advance of the season opener against No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.
There were some positions that looked as expected and others that contained some surprises. Below is the full depth chart, along with thoughts from FOX Sports Wisconsin's Dave Heller for each spot.
Players are listed in order of placement, with the starter first and the backup second.
Offense
QB: Joel Stave, Bart Houston
Observation: No doubt Stave would be the starter. Junior Bart Houston wins the backup job over redshirt freshman D.J. Gillens, which makes sense because Houston is similar to Stave in style. If Stave is out for an extended period, it would be interesting to see if they put in the more mobile Gillens.
RB: Corey Clement, Dare Ogunbowale
Observation: Again, no doubt about Clement being No. 1. Dare Ogunbowale, who converted to running back from cornerback last year, beat out redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal, who should still see some carries. Deal is more the bowl-you-over type of back, while Ogunbowale is shifty and speedy.
WR: Alex Erickson, Reggie Love
WR: Tanner McEvoy, Robert Wheelwright
Observation: No surprise with Erickson, the Badgers' leading receiver last year. Notably, Tanner McEvoy will start at wide receiver instead of safety. Not sure if that is a credit to him or an indictment of the other receivers. Jordan Fredrick is not listed on the two-deep, but he'll probably still play a lot. Can juniors Love and Wheelwright step up?
TE: Austin Traylor, Troy Fumagalli
Observation: Nothing earth-shattering here, but the Badgers will need both of these players to help out in the passing game.
LT: Tyler Marz, Jacob Maxwell
LG: Michael Deiter, Ray Ball
C: Dan Voltz, Micah Kapoi
RG: Walker Williams, Micah Kapoi
RT: Hayden Biegel, Walker Williams
Observation: Along the offensive line, we knew there'd be three new starters. But depth is an issue -- notice that Kapoi is a backup at two spots and starting right guard Williams is the backup at right tackle.
Defense
DE: Arthur Goldberg, Jake Keefer
DE: Chikwe Obasih, Alec James
Observation: No surprises here, as Goldberg moves over from nose tackle.
NT: Conor Sheehy, Jeremy Patterson
Observation: Sheehy is not the biggest nose tackle, but he swaps out with Goldberg. It's good to see Patterson at least on the second team -- he's a true nose.
OLB: Vince Biegel, Jesse Hayes
OLB: Joe Schobert, Jack Cichy
ILB: T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connell
ILB: Leon Jacobs, Chris Orr
Observation: That's a lot of freshmen. Edwards could be a really good one. It's a bit of a surprise that senior transfer Kellen Jones isn't on the two-deep.
CB: Darius Hillary, Natrell Jamerson
CB: Sojourn Shelton, Derrick Tindal
Observation: The starters were expected, but it's interesting that Jamerson, in his first year as a cornerback, gets the backup nod along with the sophomore Tindall.
SS: Michael Caputo, D'Cota Dixon
FS: Leo Musso, Lubern Figaro
Observation: Musso gets to start over McEvoy, who is now starting on offense. Dixon moved back to safety from linebacker and is one of the second-teamers. Figaro started last year but is now a backup.
Special teams
P: Drew Meyer, P.J. Rosowski
FG: Rafael Gaglianone, Jack Russell
KO: Andrew Endicott, P.J. Rosowski
LS: Connor Udelhoven, Zander Neuville
H: Drew Meyer, P.J. Rosowski
PR: Alex Erickson, Sojourn Shelton
KR: Natrell Jamerson, Robert Wheelwright
Observation: Not much noteworthy with the specialists. Among the punt returners, it's clear that Chryst isn't afraid to use starters, as Erickson and Shelton are Nos. 1 and 2. Jamerson, the kick returner, is speedy.
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