Notes: Wisconsin Must Rely on Youth at Cornerback
MADISON, Wis. — Barring a surprising reversal from the NCAA, Wisconsin is going to be without senior cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean, who continues to remain with the team and hold out hope for eligibility in 2025. Until then, the Badgers are likely going to have to rely on a freshman, or even two, at the cornerback position.
During fall camp, Wisconsin has been toying with different lineups. Senior D’Yoni Hill, redshirt freshman Omillio Agard, and true freshman Cairo Skanes have all been with the No. 1 defense, while true freshmen Jaimier Scott and Jahmare Washington are potentially an injury or two away from having their numbers called.
“As of right now, it’ll be a rotation,” Haynes told reporters following Tuesday’s practice. “I think both of those guys (Hill and Agard) have had a good camp and played well enough that both of them deserve to play. Haven’t really thought about the percentage of it, but both of those guys will play for us.”
Fourqurean Still Receiving Reps
Over the past two days, Fourqurean has been back with the first-team defense, which has raised some eyebrows given that he’s taking key reps from another cornerback who will be eligible come the Aug. 28 season opener against Miami (OH). Haynes was asked about that, but didn’t really provide much clarity as to why Fourqurean would be with the No. 1 unit at this point in camp.
“The number of reps we’re getting, it all equals out the same,” Haynes explained. “I’m getting more younger guys reps — I don’t need to see Rico (Ricardo Hallman) play. He’s played a bunch of football for us. Kind of, with the way I do it, it all equals out with the same amount of reps. Actually, the younger guys are getting more reps than the older guys.”
Agard Challenging For a Starting Role
Agard has been the biggest challenger to Hill for the No. 2 starting cornerback job for Wisconsin. Being in the right place at the right time has been Agard’s skill as the redshirt freshman leads the defense with interceptions in fall camp, often feasting on errant throws and tipped balls. Agard, who did not see any game action in 2024, feels he’s ready to take that next step this season.
“I just feel like I’m a dawg and I’m a gamer,” he said. “When the lights are bright, I’m going to make plays. I feel like that’s always been my thing growing up. My dad always told me growing up, ‘You’re always ready for the big moment,’ and I feel like every game on this stage is a big moment. I’m going to be ready when the shots are fired, 85,000, people are booing you, I’m going to be ready for it. I like to block those things out and focus on football.
“If I do win a starting job, I’ll be ready.”
Skanes Getting Work With the No. 1 Defense
In a bit of a surprise this fall, Skanes has seen plenty of work with the No. 1 defense. Obviously, that comes with Hallman being held out quite a bit with an undisclosed, but not serious, injury. Skanes has been susceptible to giving up the big play, and like most freshman, struggled to tackle, but Haynes likes his ability to pick up the defense quickly and learn on the fly.
“He’s super smart,” said Haynes. “He picks up on things very, very fast as far as the concepts of the defense. He still gets himself in trouble with his eye control, and that’s what happens a lot of times with young guys. But it happens to him once, and he learns from it. It doesn’t happen to him again. Very, very pleased with just how mature he is as far as learning, knowing that he’s going to make mistakes, but he corrects the mistakes very, very well. He can run, he’s big, 186-187 pounds as a freshman, and super smart.
“Sky is the limit for him. I think we’ll see him on some special teams and maybe see him down the road on the field.”
A native of Charlotte, Skanes was a late addition to Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class. He had been committed to Miami (OH) before blowing up as a senior where he landed scholarship offers from N.C. State, Michigan State, Duke, and more.
Hallman Bigger, Stronger Going Into Final Season
One of the reasons Hallman passed on the NFL Draft and returned for his senior season was to improve as a tackler. After a meeting with former Wisconsin great Jamar Fletcher, Hallman attacked the weight room and put on 11 pounds in the off-season and is around 190 pounds.
“That was a big part of what I wanted to do for my off-season program,” he said. “I knew how big of a deal it was to get bigger, stronger, faster, more explosive. Just so I could be more of a presence on the edge.”
“I’m a lot more explosive and everything like that. I know my physicality is going to help a lot more. Super excited to put that on tape.”
