Notes: Wisconsin Building a Deep Defensive Line
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Wisconsin went 0-3 in trophy games during the 2024 season. In those three losses, opponents ran for nearly 650 yards, averaging close to five yards per carry…The Badgers simply weren’t going to stand for it.
Having just one defensive lineman at 300 pounds or heavier last season, Wisconsin now has nine defenders up front who fit that mold. Adding three transfer defensive linemen to the rotation in the off-season, the Badgers are feeling good about the early returns up front.
“For sure, six, seven, eight guys,” defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow said when asked how many guys he was comfortable with playing during the season. “There’s a ton of different combinations. We got a volume body of guys who I trust can go out there and play the game the right way. Feel really good about the depth that we have right now.”
And with that depth comes seemingly endless combinations on Saturdays. Wisconsin has mixed and matched its front constantly throughout fall camp, hoping to create mismatch problems for opposing offensive lines.
“Every guy has different God-given abilities,” said Whitlow. “When you can throw different combinations at an offensive line, that scouting report gets really long for them. For those guys, it allows them to play fast, and fresh, and go. For offensive linemen, you don’t see many guards sub out throughout a drive. We can keep guys coming at them.”
LANE SHAKING THINGS UP
It’s been perhaps a slower start to his Wisconsin career than many imagined for Brandon Lane. Transferring in from Stephen F. Austin, Lane was a national transfer recruit who was expected to bolster the Badgers last season. While that didn’t happen, Lane did appear in eight games during the 2024 campaign. Towards the end of spring and now into fall camp, Lane has turned a corner and started earning some first-team reps.
“The biggest thing, I feel he’s a lot more comfortable with the defense. He’s playing with a lot of confidence, he’s playing aggressive, he’s playing on the attack. Been pleased with how he was in spring, the off-season he’s had, and heading into fall camp, just how fast and how confident he’s playing right now.”
JOHNSON ALSO COMING ALONG
While he was an instant impact freshman for Wisconsin in 2024, appearing in 11 games, Dillan Johnson had a relatively quiet spring. That hasn’t been the case this fall as Johnson is also pushing for first-team reps. Arguably the strongest player the Badgers have, pound-for-pound, Johnson appears to be one of the most improved players on defense.
“He’s really mature,” said Whitlow. “He’s continued to just be ‘Steady Eddie’. To be consistent rep after rep after rep. He’s done a heckuva job with the opportunities when he gets out there.”
SLEEPER TO WATCH
Wisconsin has a walk-on who might be able to make some noise in the future, if not this season. Redshirt sophomore Nolan Vils had a terrific practice on Wednesday and has quietly been battling in this deep group of defensive linemen over the past year-plus.
“He’s strong,” Whitlow said. “We know he’s going to fight. Just make sure you do your job all the time.”
