Players to watch
Bryson Williams – freshman, defensive tackle
Senior Olive Sagapolu returns as the starter at nose tackle. But with both starting defensive ends from 2017 gone and last year’s backup at nose tackle, Garrett Rand, moving to end, the Badgers will need contributions from newcomers like Bryson Williams to add depth up front.
As one of five early enrollees, Williams has impressed coaches and teammates both in the weight room and on the practice field so far. Olive Sagapolu described the 6’2″, 300-pound freshman as “strong as an ox”. In a video Bryson recently shared on Twitter, he can be seen squatting 550 pounds three times as teammates surround him in Wisconsin’s weight room. Judging by the video, Sagapolu’s characterization seems accurate.
Williams will see a lot of snaps in the spring game and his performance should give fans an early indication of how early and often they can expect to see him in the fall
Donte Burton – freshman, cornerback
With both of Wisconsin’s primary starters at corner gone from last year, they’ll be led by the only returning player with any starting experience in rising sophomore, Dontye Carriere-Williams. The Badgers signed four cornerbacks in their 2018 recruiting class but Donte Burton is the only one who enrolled early.
Although only a three-star, Burton was one of the most sought after players in Wisconsin’s class. He was expected to sign with Notre Dame but made a surprise decision and opted to spend his college career in Madison. In addition to ND, he had offers from Louisville, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, and several other schools.
Burton has reportedly been taking reps with the second-team defense so far this spring and has held his own in his first experience against division one college receivers. a good spring so far.
Burton has the footwork, quickness, and closing speed to be a great cover corner and at 6′, he has the frame to grow into the prototypical size for his position. At only 175 pounds, he’ll have to add size and strength to be able to play press coverage without getting abused at the line at this level though.
His early enrollment will be huge for his development both physically and in terms of learning the Badgers’ defense and getting used to the speed of college.
Aaron Cruickshank – freshman, wide receiver/punt returner
Aaron Cruickshank, another early enrollee, is listed at only 5’9″, 155 pounds on his recruiting profile. Whatever he lacks in size though, he makes up for with speed and elusiveness.
Cruickshank played quarterback, wide receiver, punt returner, and kick returner in high school and had offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and several others coming out of Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn.
His highlight videos use the moniker “2 Fast for You” and it’s easy to see why. He is absolutely untouchable, makes defenders look silly with his cuts and jukes, and absolutely blows by opposing DB’s who try to run with him. According to Land of 10, he might be the fastest player on Wisconsin’s team.
Everyone else in the 2018 class will have to work their way into the lineup in their position groups. Cruickshank is guaranteed to see the field on account of his speed. How much and in what capacity are the only questions. He should play in the return game but he’s so fast and so dangerous with the ball in his hands that I don’t see how Paul Chryst wouldn’t find ways to work him into the offense as well. He would be dangerous in the slot. If nothing else, the offense should add a handful of designed screens and reverses.
Returning Leaders (9 starters on offense, 4 starters on defense)
