Wisconsin Badgers beat writer Jesse Temple will be analyzing the 30 most important players to the Badgers' success in the 2015 season. Check back each weekday to see the latest player on the list.
Note: This is not a list of the team's 30 best players or a series about past success, but rather which of them means the most to how Wisconsin will fare this year. Criteria such as depth at that player's position, general expectations and overall importance of that player having a good season are all highly considered. The list does not include incoming freshmen because their potential impact is unknown at this time.
No. 25 -- Arthur Goldberg, defensive end
Why he's No. 25
No starting position on the defensive line has officially been earned, but Goldberg figures to have a prominent place, perhaps as a starting defensive end. A year ago, Goldberg saw extensive action at nose guard after Warren Herring sustained an injury in the season opener against LSU. Goldberg played in all 14 games and made six starts.
He played at his best in some of the team's bigger games last season. He recorded a career-high five tackles against both LSU and Iowa and registered four tackles with a tackle for loss against Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
Expectations for 2015
Goldberg did not participate in the spring game because of an ankle injury, but there are no concerns about effects lingering into fall. Though he still is listed as a nose guard on the official roster, it seems Conor Sheehy is the likely starting nose guard in the fall, with big Jeremy Patterson serving as his backup.
That leaves Goldberg at defensive end, where he could pair with Chikwe Obasih. Wisconsin figures to use several players on the defensive line to keep everybody fresh, and that also includes Jake Keefer and Alec James at the top of that rotation.
Last season, Goldberg finished with 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks. Those numbers should increase, particularly if he transitions well to the end position, where it should be easier to record tackles than at nose guard, where the primary role is to occupy two linemen so the ends and linebackers can converge on the ball carrier.
What would they do without him?
Goldberg gained valuable experience last season in his first year of playing time. The good news for Wisconsin is that it has several players capable of filling the defensive end spots. Keefer, for example, spent much of spring practice with the first-team defense opposite Goldberg, with Sheehy as the nose guard. James and Obasih then came in as two down linemen when the team opted for a nickel package with five defensive backs.
Obasih seems to have done enough to have earned a starting defensive end spot in the base 3-4 defense. If Sheehy is the nose guard, would Obasih's insertion push out Keefer or Goldberg? That remains to be seen. But Goldberg's performance last year should help give him an edge.
Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter
