Under Badgers' defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin doesn't rebuild; they reload
In 2022, UW will replace eight preferred starters off Jim Leonhard’s defense and 5,362 total snaps worth of on-field production.
It’s no secret that Wisconsin will be without many core pieces that helped lead the Badgers to the No. 1 ranked defensive unit in the country last season. In 2022, UW will replace eight preferred starters off Jim Leonhard’s defense and 5,362 total snaps worth of on-field production.
Gone are two starting safeties, two boundary corners, their highly-productive inside linebacker tandem, and a starter at outside linebacker and defensive end, respectively. Leaving outside backer Nick Herbig and two defensive linemen, Keeanu Benton and Isaiah Mullens, as the only returning starters next season.
Despite the turnover, I have very few concerns about Wisconsin's ability to finish as a top-10 defensive unit this upcoming season.
The main reason for optimism? Badgers' defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard of course. He is among the brightest defensive minds in all of college football and is the glue of this Wisconsin football program.
It's unlikely that Wisconsin will lead the country in total defense again, but the cupboards at UW are hardly bare. Coach Leonhard still has the necessary pieces to be one of the best defenses in the country in 2022.
Who steps up next season?
Coach Chryst quickly identified cornerback as a position of weakness this offseason. So, to rectify that, Wisconsin rebuilt its secondary by bringing in three experienced CBs via the transfer portal. Justin Clark (Toledo), Jay Shaw (UCLA), and Cedrick Dort (Kentucky) all figure to play important roles for the Badgers and will help lead a young CB room. Redshirt senior Alexander Smith, who is the most experienced returning in-house option, is expected to become UW's top boundary corner this season.
To his credit, Coach April has done an incredible job on the recruiting trail to replenish the Badgers outside linebacker room with a surplus of talent. Opposite of superstar OLB Nick Herbig, UW has C.J. Goetz, Darryl Peterson, T.J. Bollers, and Kaden Johnson competing for snaps. The Wisconsin Badgers pass rush has a chance to be special this season.
On the backend, Wisconsin returns "the jewelry thief" John Torchio, who tied for the team lead in interceptions last season (3). Torchio will pair nicely with former four-star recruit Hunter Wohler. The safety tandem should complement each other quite well because of their playmaking ability and versatility. UW also added Utah transfer Kamo'i Latu, got Preston Zachman back from injury, and had Titus Toler, a talented safety in his own right, return to the program after a year off due to medical reasons.
Inside linebacker is where you can expect some drop-off in production. Nobody loses an ILB tandem like Leo Chenal/Jack Sanborn and gets better.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Badgernotes to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.