WISCONSIN BADGERS
OFFENSE - 5
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Scott Tolzien-QB, David Gilreath-WR, Isaac Anderson-WR, Lance Kendricks-TE, Gabe Carimi-OT, John Moffitt-OG, Bill Nagy-C
DEFENSE: Blake Sorensen-OLB, Culmer St. Jean-MLB, Niles Brinkley-CB, Jay Valai-SS
Running Back

Wisconsin's bread and butter for the last 20 years has been the rushing attack and that isn't going to change. The duo of White and Ball combined for 2,048 yards this season.

Quarterback / Linebacker

There is a ton of inexperience at quarterback trying to replace Scott Tolzien. Jon Budmayr had ten passing attempts and that is all. The departed St. Jean and Sorensen were crucial tacklers from their linebacker spots.

RB James White
 
CB Antonio Fenelus
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2011 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
WISCONSIN 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Russell Wilson-Sr (5-11, 210) Jon Budmayr-So (6-0, 195)
FB Bradie Ewing-Sr (6-0, 245) Sherard Cadogan-RFr (6-3, 255)
RB James White-So (5-10, 195) Montee Ball-Jr (5-11, 210)
WR Nick Toon-Sr (6-3, 213) Jeff Duckworth-So (6-0, 215)
WR

Jared Abbrederis-So (6-2, 180)

Manasseh Garner-So (6-2, 210)
TE Jake Byrne-Sr (6-4, 260) Jacob Pedersen-So (6-4, 240)
OT Ricky Wagner-Jr (6-6, 320) Robert Burge-Jr (6-7, 325)
OG Travis Frederick-So (6-4, 330) Ryan Groy-So (6-5, 320)
C Peter Konz-Jr (6-5, 315) Jake Current-Sr (6-3, 305)
OG Kevin Zeitler-Sr (6-4, 315) Dallas Lewallen-RFr (6-6, 320)
OT Josh Oglesby-Sr (6-7, 330) Rob Havenstein-RFr (6-8, 345)
K Philip Welch-Sr (6-3, 205) Alec Lerner-So (5-7, 185)
 
WISCONSIN 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Louis Nzegwu-Sr (6-4, 255) Brendan Kelly-Jr (6-6, 255)
DT Patrick Butrym-Sr (6-4, 285) Ethan Hemer-So (6-6, 300)
DT Jordan Kohout-So (6-3, 290) Beau Allen-So (6-3, 310)
DE David Gilbert-Jr (6-4, 255) Pat Muldoon-So (6-3, 260)
OLB Kevin Claxton-Sr (6-1, 240) A.J. Fenton-So (6-1, 235)
MLB Chris Borland-So (5-11, 245) Ethan Armstrong-So (6-2, 240)
OLB Mike Taylor-Jr (6-2, 230) Conor O'Neill-So (6-0, 220)
CB Devin Smith-Sr (5-11, 180) Marcus Cromartie-Jr (6-1, 180)
CB Antonio Fenelus-Sr (5-9, 190) Peniel Jean-RFr (5-11, 190)
SS Dezmen Southward-So (6-2, 200) Shelton Johnson-Jr (6-0, 190)
FS Aaron Henry-Sr (6-0, 210) Josh Peprah-So (5-11, 200)
P Brad Nortman-Sr (6-3, 210) ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/18/10
Rarely in the Big Ten does any team have two of its running backs placed on the All-Conference list. Even more rare is that both of them would be non-seniors. That is going to be the case for the Badgers as John Clay (2009 Big Ten Player of The Year) and newcomer James White take the field for yet another campaign. And don't count out Montee Ball, the third option in this superior ground game. The trio combined for 2,829 yards and a school record 44 touchdowns this season. Wisconsin's bread and butter for the last 20 years has been the power rushing attack and that isn't going to change. However, a key ingredient in this recipe will be missing when the left side of the line consisting of All-American types Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt move on. Hampering the preseason predictions to some degree is also the departure of Scott Tolzien behind center and another All-American in tight end Lance Kendricks. Needless to say, there are some major replacement projects in store this off-season. The defensive line is a prime example of what Wisconsin football is all about. This group had to replace the majority of its parts from 2009, which normally is a huge concern for most teams. As this season progressed, this same group led by defensive end J.J. Watt figured out a way to get things done. All four of them will return for 2011. This has become the nature of football for head coach Bret Bielma. Reloading is not really the true definition as you won't find a ton of stars beside the names of their recruits, but they know how to find the right guy that fits their system and plug them into Badger Ball. Bielema was Barry Alvarez's handpicked choice to be his successor and he has taken Alvarez's style and "ran with it". While getting back to another Rose Bowl game doesn't seem likely given the majority of key performers that will depart, it's never out of the question in Madison.

 

WISCONSIN
2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT
9-3-11 UNLV
9-10-11 OREGON STATE
9-17-11 Northern Illinois @Solidier Field
9-24-11 SOUTH DAKOTA
10-1-11 NEBRASKA
10-15-11 INDIANA
10-22-11 at Michigan State
10-29-11 at Ohio State
11-5-11 PURDUE
11-12-11 at Minnesota
11-19-11 at Illinois
11-26-11 PENN STATE