Wisconsin Football 2024 Spring Practice Preview: Tight Ends
The Badgers are hoping a young TE can step up and make an impact this season.
Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell and his staff are preparing for their second round of spring practices with the program.
The Badgers are set to begin spring ball on March 22 and run until May 2. Several of those practices are expected to be open to the media.
Here's a look at Wisconsin's tight end room, along with a player to watch, a newcomer that excites me, and the biggest question mark.
Wisconsin’s Projected TE Depth Chart
Starter: Tucker Ashcraft OR Riley Nowakowski
Backup: Jackson McGohan
Others: JT Seagreaves, Robert Booker, and Grant Stec
Anything suggested in the Wisconsin football depth chart prediction at tight end is complete speculation heading into spring, considering this position group's lack of production during the 2023 season.
Hayden Rucci — who decided to move on from the program — caught 11 passes for 125 yards last season and accounted for nearly half of the Badgers' production at tight end. He leaves a void as an in-line blocker.
Under offensive coordinator Phil Longo, tight ends were underutilized in the passing game during his first season in Madison. With only 44 targets for the room compared to 331 targets for wide receivers, it's evident that Longo's offensive scheme favors more versatile and athletic tight ends.
Among the leading candidates to start is Tucker Ashcraft, who showcased promise as a true freshman with eight receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. With his athleticism and size, Ashcraft has the potential to become a key contributor to the Wisconsin football team's offense, but there's plenty of work to be done as a blocker.
Senior Riley Nowakowski, who earned a scholarship after transitioning from fullback, caught seven passes for 57 yards and scored a touchdown in the Axe Game last season. He provides a versatile and assignment-sound option for the Badgers to rotate in.
LSU transfer Jackson McGohan is the unknown among the group, but his athleticism and untapped potential add plenty of intrigue. Despite playing just eight snaps as a freshman last season, McGowan's arrival brings UW a dynamic pass-catcher to develop who could also push for time.
Additionally, the early enrollment of true freshmen Robert Booker and Grant Stec provides immediate, high-upside depth and competition. Both possess the athleticism and receiving skills desired by Longo, offering promising options for the Badgers' tight-end group moving forward.
Badgers Player to Watch
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