Wisconsin Badgers Fall Camp Preview: Cornerback

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin and head coach Luke Fickell will open up fall camp at the end of July, beginning a critical season for the program. Taking a look at the cornerback room, the Badgers should be very strong at the top, but finding another reliable piece to the room could be vital for the defense in 2025.

Projected Depth Chart

1. Ricardo Hallman – Sr.

2. Omillio Agard – Fr.

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1. Nyzier Fourqurean – Sr.

2. D’Yoni Hill – Sr.

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Nickel

1. Geimere Latimer Jr. – Jr.

2. Owen Arnett – Sr.

As far as the projected starters go, cornerback might be the strongest position on the roster for Wisconsin. The Badgers get a pair of starters and potential All-Big Ten caliber players back in Fourqurean and Hallman, each of whom shined in different ways in 2024.

After leading the nation with seven interceptions in 2023, Hallman posted modest numbers as a junior. He finished with 16 tackles and four pass breakups, but that didn”tell the whole story as teams often opted to stay away from the reigning third-team All-American.

Fourqurean is coming off a breakout season in which he racked up 51 tackles from the cornerback position to go along with six pass breakups and an interception.

Holding down the nickel spot in spring, Latimer comes over from Jacksonville State where he had 46 tackles, six pass breakups, and three interceptions.

NUMBER TO KNOW – 33

That’s how many times Hallman was targeted in coverage last season. Some might say Hallman suffered a post-breakout year slump, but those 33 targets were the fewest any cornerback nationally with at least 300 coverage snaps saw in 2024. On those 33 targets, Hallman surrendered just 20 receptions per Pro Football Focus, which was the second-fewest in the Big Ten.

ONE BIG QUESTION

Does Wisconsin have a reliable No. 3 cornerback?

The Badgers play so much nickel, depth isn’t as big of an issue as Geimier Latimer will essentially be a starter this fall. However, UW would still like a third cornerback to be able to take some of the load off Fourqurean and Hallman or rise to the occasion should a key injury occur.

Heading into the fall, Hill is the guy for the job. Hill had an up-and-down season for Miami (FL) as a junior, playing in 12 games with five starts. Behind Hill is a lot of youth and inexperience. In fact, outside of the projected top four cornerbacks, the Badgers don’t have another player on the roster with any career appearances.

Hill, who began his career at Marshall, is one of the better tacklers of the group.

“D’Yoni is a hitter,” UW cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes said in the spring. “He ain’t afraid of contact. With corners, sometimes they just want to cover. The dude loves to hit. He’s played a lot of football. He played at Marshall. Played at Miami. There’s a lot of knowledge with the game of football.”

YOUNGSTER TO WATCH

I really like Jaimier Scott. Don’t say this often about true freshmen cornerbacks, but I think he can play for Wisconsin right away and I wouldn’t be shocked if he steals some snaps this fall.

Scott brings a lot to the table at this position. He’s 6-foot-1 and can run. Scott possesses terrific ball skills and instincts when the ball is in the air. Oh, and he can come and tackle too. The true freshman wasn’t afraid to hit in spring ball and was very advanced when trying to tackle on an island.

Given that UW’s top two cornerbacks are leaving after this season, it makes sense for the Badgers to try and get Scott on the field as much as possible in 2025 and even burn that redshirt so he’s ready to go in year two.

“He’s very, very smooth,” said Haynes. “He does some things naturally with his movement. He ain’t afraid. He’s very, very talented. He’s going to continue to get better, too.”

2025 FORECAST

Wisconsin has the ability to match up well with star wide receivers. Between Fourqurean and Hallman, the Badgers can let those two play on an island and have had success doing so. The problem? This schedule will feature a lot of receiving cores who go 4-5 deep with route runners who can burn you.

If Haynes can bring one of his younger corners along, likely either Agard or Scott, it could be huge for this defense. I think it’s a big “if,” but Agard is someone who appears to be technically sound. Not a real burner, but he can stay low in that backpedal, flip his hips, and stick to receivers in the short/intermediate route range. As mentioned, Scott has a lot of natural talent and brings a versatile skillset to the table.

If one more cornerback emerges, this goes from a good room to a very good room.