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College football rankings: Post-spring Top 25 – Clemson, Alabama vie for top spot

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 24: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
  • Notable Losses: David Edwards, T.J. Edwards, Michael Deiter, Beau Benzschawel, Ryan Connelly, D’Cota Dixon, Andrew Van Ginkel
  • Notable Returners: Jonathan Taylor, Alex Hornibrook, Zack Baun, Danny Davis, A.J. Taylor, Scott Nelson, Tyler Biadasz
  • 2019 Recruiting Class Ranking: 27th

There was a chance that the Wisconsin Badgers could find themselves in a rough position for the 2019 season in regards to their offensive line as it appeared like four starters could be heading to the NFL Draft. Of course, the Badgers have been a factory of great offensive linemen in years past, so that wouldn’t be a death sentence. However, Tyler Biadasz electing to return to Wisconsin is a huge boost for that group up front.

Behind that offensive line, Wisconsin will also have Heisman Trophy hopeful running back Jonathan Taylor coming back for his true junior season in Madison. The struggles overall of the Badgers last season seemed to overshadow Taylor’s work last season, but he remains one of the most productive and dominant rushing forces in all of college football.

Where the Badgers will surely be under the microscope in 2019 is at quarterback and on defense. The defense was abysmal last season and losing T.J. Edwards isn’t going to help. And while quarterback Alex Hornibrook appears on-track to play again in 2019, he has been up-and-down throughout his career. Having 5-star recruit Graham Mertz to push him will certainly not be a bad thing, however, and the hope is that Wisconsin can capitalize on Taylor’s talent and their overall potential this season.

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