The University of Wisconsin football team is coming out of its bye week with a few personnel questions still worth monitoring.
The Badgers are 4-1 overall, 2-0 in Big Ten play, and preparing for a road matchup against unbeaten UCLA. That said, the availability of running back Abu Sama and starting center Austin Kawecki remains uncertain.
Head coach Luke Fickell provided updates on both players during his media availability and offered insight into the development of a talented defensive back the Badgers brought in from the transfer portal.
Here’s what stood out.
Abu Sama’s return could provide a boost to Wisconsin’s backfield
Wisconsin has been without transfer running back Abu Sama, leaving Darrion Dupree to shoulder much of the workload alongside Bryan Jackson II.
Dupree has emerged as the Badgers’ primary backfield option because of his versatility, while Jackson has provided complementary snaps. Against Michigan State, the two combined for 83 rushing yards on 26 carries.
That’s an area where Wisconsin could certainly use another contributor.
Sama’s potential return would give offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes another option as the Badgers continue searching for greater consistency from their traditional rushing attack. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Sama has been effective when available, rushing 28 times for 190 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 16 yards.
Fickell sounded cautiously optimistic about his availability against UCLA, although he stopped short of guaranteeing anything.
“I would expect that Abu is good [to play],” Fickell said. “You know, I would have expected Abu to be good last week and the week before. So as of right now, I would hope and believe that he’ll be okay.”
The important distinction is that Fickell has anticipated Sama’s return before, only for the running back to remain unavailable. In his absence, Dupree has shown he can shoulder a larger workload than the timeshare initially envisioned. Through 170 offensive snaps, Dupree has carried the ball 43 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 62 yards. He also holds a 72.7 offensive grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Still, coming out of the bye week, there’s reason to believe Wisconsin could be getting another important piece back in the fold.
With Colton Joseph accounting for so much of the team’s rushing production against Michigan State, having another healthy running back available would be a welcome development for Wisconsin.
Austin Kawecki’s status remains uncertain after hand injury
There’s considerably less clarity surrounding Wisconsin’s starting center.
Austin Kawecki exited the Michigan State game with a hand injury, forcing Pennsylvania native Ryan Cory into action at center along an offensive line that has already experienced some shuffling this season. Cory stepped in and played 29 snaps, including 21 as a run blocker and eight in pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus.
Cory handled the assignment well under the circumstances, giving up just one pressure and helping Wisconsin finish without allowing a sack.
But Kawecki’s experience and ability to handle the responsibilities at center remain important as the offense begins to find its footing.
Fickell indicated that Kawecki’s status will depend on how much he’s able to do throughout the week.
“Austin, I don’t really know yet,” Fickell said of Kawecki’s status. “He’ll have a club on his hand right now, but as the week goes on, we’ll see what else he can do and how much he can be able to do.”
Fickell also clarified that the injury involves Kawecki’s right hand, noting that the veteran center is ambidextrous.
That’s a meaningful detail given the demands of the position, where snapping the football and handling defensive linemen require both hands.
Wisconsin at least has some reassurance in Cory’s performance against Michigan State. Whether Kawecki returns for the UCLA game or Cory makes another appearance in the starting five for Eric Mateos, maintaining the improved protection around Joseph will be a top priority.
Bryce West continues to earn praise for his development
One additional personnel takeaway from Fickell’s availability involved defensive back Bryce West.
The Ohio State transfer has carved out a role as the starting nickel, bringing a physical presence to a Wisconsin secondary that’s becoming one of the team’s more encouraging position groups.
West made a notable fourth-down stop against Michigan State and finished with three tackles. He was also targeted four times in coverage, allowing three receptions for just 22 yards. Beyond the on-field production, Fickell believes West’s versatility is giving Wisconsin more flexibility with its defensive personnel packages.
“He’s playing the nickel spot, but he’s given us an opportunity to leave him on the field in some different personnel groupings because he has to have some versatility,” Fickell said. “He’s a guy that has a little bit of a knack for understanding leverage and being bigger than maybe he really is.”
Fickell also emphasized how much West has improved over the past six months, crediting his willingness to compete and practice consistently. That development matters for a secondary incorporating several relatively new contributors.
West isn’t necessarily the most recognizable name on Wisconsin’s defense, but his emergence as one of the team’s better defenders shows the depth and flexibility this group has started to build.
And as Wisconsin prepares for UCLA, having more dependable options in the secondary certainly doesn’t hurt.
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