With the 2020 football season kicking off Friday night, the Wisconsin Badgers released their first depth chart of the 2020 season on Sunday.
Jack Coan, the team's returning starting quarterback, injured his foot in practice and is out indefinitely. In his stead will be redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz, who will be backed up by sophomore Chase Wolf.
At running back, Jonathan Taylor departs for the NFL, so the duties will be handled in tandem by senior Garrett Groshek and sophomore Nakia Watson. Returning at fullback is senior Mason Stokke, while junior Jake Ferguson also returns to the tight end position.
Wide receiver brings back a quartet of seniors with Quintez Cephus off to the NFL: Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, Jack Dunn, and Adam Krumholz.
Up front, the line features a number of veterans. Senior Cole Van Lanen is back at left tackle, with junior Josh Seltzner at left guard and junior Kayden Lyles at center. Jon Dietzen, after a year away from the program, is the team's starting right guard as a senior, while juniors Logan Bruss and Tyler Beach are listed as co-starters at right tackle.
There are familiar names on the defensive line returning. Seniors Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand are back at defensive end, while sophomore Keeanu Benton returns as the starting nose tackle after a breakout freshman campaign. Junior Matt Henningsen is also listed a co-starter at defensive end with Rand.
Linebacker sees the greatest shake-up due to graduating or departing players. Noah Burks is slated to man one outside 'backer spot, with junior Izaya Green-May and freshman Nick Herbig penciled in on the other side. Up the middle, junior Jack Sanborn and sophomore Leo Chenal take over.
The secondary offers six starters for four slots, indicative of the number of different formations Wisconsin will line up with in a given game. The three corners listed as starters are juniors Rashad Wildgoose and Faion Hicks, as well as senior Ceasar Williams, while senior Eric Burrell is noted as the free safety and senior Collin Wilder and junior Scott Nelson are both listed at strong safety.
Special teams sees a bit of carry-over, with junior Collin Larsh handling kicking duties, senior Adam Bay at long snapper, and senior Jack Dunn returning punts. Some of the new faces include freshman Jack Van Dyke taking over kickoffs, transfer junior Andy Vujnovich and returning junior Conor Schlichting at punter, and Schlichting also handling the holder duties. At kickoff return are freshmen Stephan Bracey and Chimere Dike.
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