Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow satisfied with the media earlier this week as the Badgers advanced through their veryfirst week of 2024 training camp.
Defensive line is one of the larger unknowns goinginto the season, that due mostly to mediocre 2023 efficiency, secret departures from the space and 2 impactful transfer additions both coming from the FCS level.
Related: Everything to understand about the Wisconsin Badgers defensive line gettingin 2024 season
Whitlow acknowledged that unidentified, keepinginmind that the space is still working to develop trust gettingin the season.
“Guys have to come out here with the right mindset and work on and off the field, in the weight space, doing all those little things right to make that trust,” Whitlow stated. “And have that trust, for your siblings that they think in you and that we can roll guys so we can play the videogame the method it’s expected to be played.”
His next line amounts up where the position stands goinginto training camp:
“Everybody in the space has a piece of the pie, if they make it.”
In other words: There are offered snaps to go around to everyone, however those snaps won’t be won without the requisite efficiency level, technique and consistency.
Those in the space particularly consistof redshirt senior James Thompson Jr. (29 takeson, 5.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, 2 pass deflections in 2023), redshirt sophomore Curt Neal (13 dealswith, 1.5 TFLs in 2023), redshirt senior Ben Barten (13 takeson, 1.0 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, 1 pass deflection in 2023) and transfers Elijah Hills (Albany) and Brandon Lane (Stephen F. Austin).
“Everybody in the space has a piece of the pie, if they make it.”@CoachWhit_UW’s complete schedule | https://t.co/tf2puRjCTV pic.twitter.com/AVHBMWCLs4
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 1, 2024
The group looks rather deep and efficient if both Hills and Lane can equate their previous production to the Big Ten level. Both had strong professions before moving to Wisconsin, though didn’t face Big Ten-caliber offensive lines every week.
That’s where Whitlow’s remarks straight use. Thompson Jr. is sealed as the space’s leader, with Curt Neal slowly establishing and both Barten and senior Cade McDonald set to play rotational functions. The wild cards are the 2 transfers. If whatever is managed properly and the 2 both make genuine snaps, the position might not be as huge of a weakpoint as most think it to be.
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