Wisconsin Football 2024 Spring Practice Preview: Outside Linebacker
The Badgers injected some talent via the portal at OLB this offseason.
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 outside linebacker room, along with a player to watch, a newcomer that excites me, and the biggest question mark.
Wisconsin’s Projected OLB Depth Chart
Starters: Leon Lowery, Darryl Peterson
Backups: John Pius, Thomas Heiberger
Others: Anelu Lafaele, Aaron Witt
Wisconsin football completely remade its outside linebacker corps this season, bolstering the roster with longer, more athletic options that better fit the Badgers' desired scheme moving forward.
Among the newcomers are freshmen Thomas Heiberger and Anelu Lafaele and transfers John Pius and Leon Lowery. These additions will complement returning players like Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt to fortify a position group that faced myriad challenges in the inaugural year of Mike Tressel's 3-3-5 defense in Madison.
With the departure of CJ Goetz, who emerged as a reliable option last season, the Badgers need to fill his shoes. Goetz led the outside linebackers statistically with 60 tackles, 24 pressures, 11 tackles for loss, and four sacks. While not a consistent pass-rushing threat, he provided valuable contributions to the team and will be missed.
Darryl Peterson emerges as the frontrunner to step up in Goetz's absence. He showed promise with 47 tackles, 30 pressures, 4.5 sacks, and 10 tackles-for-loss last season. With Wisconsin football aiming to strengthen its pass rush in 2024, Peterson, as one of the veteran players, faces high expectations to take the next step.
The Badgers are also banking on the impact of their recent transfers. Pius, a standout from William & Mary, brings impressive credentials with 39 pressures, 9.5 sacks, and 16 tackles-for-loss in the FCS. With only one year of eligibility remaining, Pius aims to showcase his talent at the Big Ten level, positioning himself for a shot at the NFL.
Similarly, Lowery, a transfer from Syracuse, brings experience and versatility, having started 14 games over two seasons with the Orange. He had 46 tackles, 18 pressures, and 3.5 sacks, which make him a valuable addition to the Wisconsin Badgers' depth chart.
With the outside linebacker room relatively thin following Jeff Pietrowski's unexpected departure, Wisconsin's freshman recruits, Heiberger and Lafaele, have the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Badgers Player to Watch
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