As we get closer to the 2021 football season, we decided to poll the other sites in the SB Nation family to get a sense on where their programs are at. Today’s edition welcomes Drew Hamm of Bucky’s Fifth Quarter to discuss the Wisconsin Badgers, who Michigan will see on Oct. 2 in Madison.
Here is the full rundown from Hamm on what the Badgers bring back and how the fanbase feels about their outlook moving forward.
Wisconsin’s key departures
- Garrett Groshek, RB, third-down back, graduated
- Mason Stokke, FB, starter, graduated
- Cole Van Lanen, OT, starter, drafted
- Jon Dietzen, IOL, started, graduated
- Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE, starter, drafted
- Garrett Rand, DE, starter, graduated
- Rachad Wildgoose, CB, starter, drafted
- Eric Burrell, S, starter, graduated
- Jack Coan, QB, a former starter, transfer to Notre Dame
Key returnees
- Graham Mertz, QB, NIL champion and potentially the most talented quarterback the Badgers have had since Russell Wilson
- Jalen Berger, RB, from New Jersey so you know he’s going to be good
- Jake Ferguson, TE, Barry Alvarez’s grandson and preseason all-American
- Kayden Lyles, IOL, anchor of the offensive line
- Keeanu Benton, NT, has NFL scouts salivating
- Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, ILBs, the next in a long line of hard-hitting, field-covering LBs for Jim Leonhard’s defense
- The secondary has, no joke, about 10 guys that have played serious snaps.