2007 Statistics

LB Jonathan Casillas

QUARTERBACK
Allan Evridge has been tutoring under departee Tyler Donovan since Evridge transferred from Kansas State in 2006. As a Wildcat, Evridge's dual-threat abilities translated better than the results reflect - he went 1-5 as a starter, but he was possibly seven points from being 4-2. Not bad for a freshman thrust into the spotlight, similar to how the Nebraska native will be the center of attention for hundreds of thousands of Badger fans expecting immediate results from him. Donovan was an efficient passer, but Evridge didn't complete even 50% of his tries in Manhattan. Still, Evridge is a size bigger and a step faster than his predecessor, so it will just take time until he has the offense down and can be coached up enough to maximize his evident talents. Slated as backup is Dustin Sherer, a RS soph who saw action briefly two years ago. Sherer at the helm would mean more conservative play-calling since he is a drop-back type. We therefore expect Curt Phillips to challenge for face-time since he is so highly touted (No.4 prospect this class - Rivals) and his insertion would mean fewer adjustments. A plus is, if well rehearsed, the change to a pro-style hurler in the midst of a game (Sherer) can often catch teams off guard...but it also can upset any flow UW may be trying to establish.

RUNNING BACK
The backfield has bruiser P.J. Hill back and healthy, but keeping him that way for all 12 games (thigh bruise in '07 kept him from contributing in pivotal Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota games) is a must for Wisconsin to stay competitive for the conference title. Hill's freshman campaign ranks as the seventh best all-time (I-A), so expectations are high. Zach Brown offers a size change, but he isn't much faster than Hill. It is important for this team to find a super-quick guy who can hit the hole. John Clay is sure to see reps, but he’s another sizable back who isn't (necessarily) about speed. This team will continue to pound the ball between the tackles with success (UW loves the I-formation), but if they are to evolve a spread look with the lateral abilities of their new QB (Evridge), faster RB options have to materialize.

RECEIVER / TIGHT END
When they do pass it, they need to revamp their role players. This team loves its tight ends - Garrett Graham and Travis Beckum are more like WR-TE hybrids who are often employed together in any given play. As the two most looked to receivers, this pair of 6'4 speedsters most often sends Garrett underneath and Beckum over the deep middle. Marcus Randle-El has quit playing football (knee injury), and with the loss of Hubbard and Swan, Kyle Jefferson is the lone returning WR with real game reps. Nick Toon (Al Toon's son) is on the roster, and Lance Kendicks also offers a level of quality that should buoy the corps. Time of possession was key for UW last year, but we expect they will not be able to keep their +5:27 advantage with so many new faces. This unit will start off slow and the playbook will open up as they progress.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The OL is a mix of experience and youth. Kraig Urbik and Eric Vandenheuvel have been playing together since prep (Hudson), but whether Urbik stays on the outside will decide where Vandenheuvel starts or not. Gabe Carimi is a team leader and a stanchion at left tackle, so UW is set on the outside, regardless. Inside, Andy Kemp and John Moffitt make consistent running lanes. All-around journeyman lineman Brad Thorson is a newbie slated for the center slot, and his ability to play anywhere on the OL will fill holes all year if/when injuries occur. Most of the two-deep is 300+lbs, making mobility a challenge. This is likely why UW remains a traditional running team, one that produces yards even when you know what they will likely do...run it right at you.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Seven senior starters return to get UW back to their top ten defensive ranking. The ends are special, two seniors who know how to contain as much as they know how to rush the QB. Matt Shaughnessy uses his 6'6 frame optimally, and Mike Newkirk is built better for plugging holes. As the two top Badgers in TFLs (28.5 combined), foes cannot double-team both...advantage Wisconsin. Soph Kirk DeCremer proved much worth as a frosh, and undeveloped depth is there (incoming four-star freshman Tyler Westphal) and should keep Shaughnessy and Newkirk fresh. Things are not as deep/solid in the middle, for only Jason Chapman has seen the field for significant time on gameday. Many are thinking Newkirk moves inside, a smart move until Jeffery Stehle an/or Brandon Hoey can prove worthy for the start. Foes will attack the middle until the tackles settle in and prove they should be avoided.

LINEBACKER
The LBs are not quite big enough to handle tough inside running teams like Ohio State, but each has the athleticism to allow him to move laterally and around blockers. Appropriately, WLB Jon Casillas, SLB Deandre Levy and MLB Elijah Hodge led the team in tackling, respectively. They all can tow the line, but it seems like their size (deficiencies) is (are) a major reason the defense fell from No.5 overall ranking to No.38. None of the latest linebacking prospects seems like any immediate upgrade, and with only four LB recruits in the past three classes, this unit could again become a liability. This is the Big Ten, so sizable LBs - somewhere on the depth chart - are a must. Sure, the argument can still be made that smaller LB-safety types allow a defense to match up on third, fourth and fifth receivers better, but at least one linebacker has to be big enough to hit the gaps/box when all of his compadres have to drop into coverage after being spread out and the play’s a run. New coordinator (used to be co-coordinator) Dave Doeren has to get this point, especially since he is the LBs coach, too.

DEFENSIVE BACK
The safeties, juniors Carter and Pleasant, get results but have not played at the same level. Shane Carter roams well (seven INTs led team and T-9th in the nation) and cleans up if needed; Aubre Pleasant needs to step it up at strong safety if UW is to give up less than 21 passing TDs. The CBs are also returning starters who have to share in some of the blame for the porous nature of the secondary...dropping from 2nd to 49th as a team was disappointing, at best. Senior Jack Ikegwuonu is all-conference with his 15 passes broken up, though, classmate Allen Langford consequently gets picked on a bit more and makes more tackles than big plays in coverage. Nickel back Aaron Henry had more tackles than either starting corner, and how he was left off of the Freshman All-American team is a mystery to us. Look for Henry to get lots of game time (if not the eventual start) with such efficient results.

The legacy of this team under now-A.D. Barry Alvarez was built upon solid defense, and that is what kept them in many games last year. This much experience under UW's strong leadership should return the Badger D back to its normal stout self.