Wisconsin has twenty-three seniors on their roster and it's the reason most people around the Big Ten and the college football world believe the Badgers are going to be a player in the division race. However, one thing has become clear since the beginning of fall camp and that's the fact that newcomers and Freshmen in particular could have a major impact on how the season turns out for UW.
So, with that in mind who are those impact freshman and what exactly could their impact be on the 2013 season? Well, that's what we're here to tell you about. In fact, the impact of the freshmen could be so great we've split them into true freshmen and redshirt freshmen categories.
We've ranked each according to the impact we see them having on the season ahead. So, let's get right into shall we?
Top 5 True Freshman:
1. Sojourn Shelton – This was an easy pick. After all, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that a lack of experience and depth at his position (corner back) combined with being an early enrollee = a good recipe for success for a freshman. Shelton is confident, he's got the physical and mental makeup to be a star and he's got a lofty goal of 7 or 8 interceptions on the record (listen to Badgers Power Hour if you don't believe us).
2. Corey Clement – Gary Andersen has harped on making sure there is a viable option as the No. 3 running back and by all indications Clement looks the part so far. So, combining those two factors it should be a pretty good bet that Clement is a name people will know from the beginning of the season on. The only question is just how many carries he ends up getting given how big of a home run threat White and Gordon are behind him.
3. Rob Wheelwright – This ranking isn't a knock on Wheelwright's abilities at all. In fact, he could be the best deep threat and jump ball threat on the team and that's saying a lot given who else is on the roster (ahem… Jared Abbrederis). He may end up statistically the best of the group of true freshman, but the question is if Wheelwright will end up with a bigger overall impact on his position group than the likes of Shelton and Clement ranked above him. Watch out for this guy to push for some freshman All-American honors if things go as planned and as they have during the first week of fall camp.
4. Alec James – James has taken well to the move from a hand down defensive end to the linebacker spot and along with Jacobs has seen plenty of time with the No. 2 linebacker group. With Ethan Armstrong sidelined by injury at the moment James could really take advantage of the reps and may force his way on to the field more than most expected coming into the season.
5. Leon Jacobs – It's safe to say Jacobs has been the surprise of camp so far according to those we've spoken with that have been in attendance. He's been taking time with the No. 2 defense at both the F and B linebacker spots and has more than held his own. If he continues to perform well in camp expect him to find some time on the field during the season.
Top 5 Redshirt Freshman:
1. Dan Voltz – He was the biggest name in the 2012 class and he nearly saw time on the field last year out of camp, that's how talented he appears to be. Fast forward a year and he's expected to fill the shoes of a 1st round NFL Draft pick and do it like a veteran would right out of the gate. Good thing he's put on the weight and seemingly passed every single test and every hurdle the media and coaching staff have put in front of him. He's going to be fun to watch in the Cardinal and White for the next few years, that's for sure.
2. Leo Musso – It's amazing what a summer can really do for a player and Musso is living proof of that. He went from being an afterthought at Safety to running all week with the No. 1 unit. Safe to say Musso has some big time proving and growing to do, but it appears he's gained the confidence of the the coaching staff and by virtue of being a likely starter come the start of the season it's a given he'll have a major impact on this team. Talk about coming out of nowhere, huh?
3. Alex Erickson – Again, talk about coming out of nowhere, huh? It appears this walk-on has jumped out more than once at the pivotal wide receiver spot. That's a good thing for Erickson, because playing time is going to go to those that show they deserve it regardless of perceived notions of a pecking order. He could see time as a fourth wide receiver and his ability to play in the vertical game could help rest Abbrederis in certain spots, a bonus to say the least.
4. Walker Williams – He's running with the No. 2 offensive line at right tackle, but given the lack of depth going on the O-Line Williams is very likely to see some playing time this year. After a redshirt year it appears he is one of the young guns on the O-Line that are proving they could be a valuable piece of the future of the line and that's huge given the fact that UW will have to reshuffle the line once again next year. Look for him to get some decent playing time and you may never know it – exactly how an offensive lineman should play, right?
5. Hugs Etienne – One of the more underrated stories of the start of camp so far has been the play of Etienne and the fact that Wisconsin appears to actually have some depth at the corner spots. Etienne has seen time at the No. 2 CB spot already in camp and he could be in line for some good playing time if he earns it. Especially given the fluctuating situation around him in the secondary. Etienne is likely competing with Jakkarie Washington and T.J. Reynard for the 4th CB spot as we speak and we all know that means decent playing time.
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