The Badgers defense thrived on Thursday on an interception-filled day.
The Wisconsin Badgers had their 12th practice of the spring and their final one before Saturday’s spring showcase, where fans will get a chance to see their new-look team early in the offseason.
To say the least, it was a rough day for the offense, as the defense thrived throughout the morning, racking up highlight play after highlight play.
Here are three quick takeaways from Wisconsin’s spring practice No. 12.
Interceptions steal the day
The Badgers defense had six (yes, six!) interceptions on Thursday, as the offense had the worst day yet. To make matters worse, much of the damage came when the top teams faced off.
Senior quarterback Billy Edwards had a day to forget, throwing four interceptions, each of which was either a poor decision or a throw by the transfer. The problem? Edwards didn’t have many positive plays or a bounce-back away from the interceptions.
He airmailed a throw to the sideline for Jayden Ballard on a great play design that got him free between the intermediate and deep levels against Cover 2. He had a pass batted at the line of scrimmage. There were a few sacks on the day. There were some snap issues. And, more importantly, there weren’t the explosive plays that offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’s offense was predicated on.
The Badgers offense has been very inconsistent through the first 12 practices of the spring, especially in the passing game. Sophomore quarterback Danny O’Neil had a few spot reps with the first-team offense on Thursday in a change, and Wisconsin also gave some second-team reps to walk-on Milos Spasojevic as a result.
The backups didn’t have much better results either. O’Neil had an interception that safety Matt Jung plucked out of the air, while Spasojevic threw a pick to freshman Cooper Catalano, who made a great catch.
There was just zero life for an offense that has really been looking to pick things up, although some crafty play designs continued to come out.
The biggest play of the day was when Spasojevic came in with the second-team offense, as the walk-on hit freshman wide receiver Eugene Hilton with a sweet over-the-shoulder ball that the wideout slowed down for to haul in.
But, apart from that, it was primarily a defense-dominated day with tons of interceptions.
Freshmen getting extended looks
The Badgers 2025 freshmen class had quite a few early enrollees, as nearly two-thirds of the group came to campus this spring.
There have been several players who are starting to make plays, but a few are beginning to separate themselves with chances alongside either the first or second-team offense.
Leading the way is freshman wide receiver Eugene Hilton, who has been a feature with the No. 2 offense all spring long. Now, understand that wide receivers see quite a bit of rotation, so there aren’t really any set groups at the position, but it’s notable that Hilton is getting as many opportunities as he is this early.
For the first time that I’ve seen this spring, Hilton was in there with the first-team offense for a few snaps as the Badgers rotated receivers, playing on the boundary with Tyrell Henry in the slot.
In addition, some of the freshmen offensive linemen are already getting thrown into the fire. Offensive tackle Nolan Davenport quickly ascended to the second-team right tackle spot, which he’s had to hold down as reserve tackle Barrett Nelson is out for the spring with an injury.
But, Hardy Watts has also seen some opportunities, and he was a fixture at right guard with the second-team offense on Thursday as Kerry Kodanko assumed the first-team duties while J.P. Benzschawel and Emerson Mandell did not partake in team drills.
It’ll take some time for the freshmen offensive linemen to develop, especially shape-wise, but it’s a notable step that they’re getting thrown in the fire this early.
Cooper Catalano had his best day yet, as he caught a nice jumping interception, breaking on an out-route that was thrown behind the intended target. He later also caused a fumble on wide receiver Davion Thomas-Kumpula working in space.
As the Badgers get into the fall, much of the focus will be on their developing 2024 and 2025 classes, which will be integral to the team’s success over the next few years.
Safeties continue to shine
Earlier this spring, I noted the safety room as a strength, as the group bounced back well from the loss of Hunter Wohler with some key retentions and additions.
Moving Austin Brown back to safety has provided the room with more depth, alongside returning starter Preston Zachman, while transfer additions Matt Jung and Matthew Traynor have made their marks at certain times in the spring.
On Thursday, it was Zachman and Jung’s turn to shine.
Zachman had the best day of any defender, finding his way around the football on several occasions. I charted him with three interceptions or very-close interceptions on Billy Edwards, as the safety just found a way to be around the ball and capitalize when chances were there.
Jung, on the other hand, had a sweet interception (or near interception) by breaking well on the ball, and he was constantly around the ball.
Jung is built like a linebacker at 6’3, 225 pounds, and he drives downhill to make plays at the line of scrimmage. But, he also has a nose for the football, as seen with his nine interceptions and four pick-sixes a season ago.
The Badgers safety room will definitely be tested by a tough schedule, but they’ve seemed to have found some gems in the group, which bodes well for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s new scheme.