Wisconsin Badgers 2016 Spring Game Preview: 5 players to watch

You have to love the spring game. Loyal Badger fans break out the all red apparel and fire up the grills to give the city of Madison a little taste of fall game days. Traditionally, the Saturday the spring game lands on happens to be just at the right time. The weather is clearing up and it usually is one of the first warm Saturday’s after a long Wisconsin winter. This upcoming game should be no different. Forecasts have Saturday looking sunny and highs hitting 70 degrees.

The annual game will be held at Camp Randall Stadium beginning at 12:00 on Saturday April 23.

For those attending or just watching on the couch there is a lot to look for in the sping game. We break down 5 players to key in on:

1.Leo Musso

The redshirt junior is listed aa 5’10” and 186 pounds will be a major part of  Wisconsin’s new Defensive Coordinator, Justin Wilcox’s, defense.

With the departure of standout safety Tanner McEvoy, it looks like it will be Musso’s position to lose.

According to reports, Musso has had a solid spring practice after coming off a season where he racked up 8 total tackles and 2 interceptions.

Watch for Musso to fit into Wilcox’s high powered defense by trying to get active early in often, making it difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

2.Bradrick Shaw

With the return of star running back Corey Clement, true freshman Bradrick Shaw may not be getting a crazy amount of touches when the regular season comes rolling around. Along with Clement, Dare Ogunbowale and Taiwan Deal are also poised to take a solid amount of carries as Wisconsin may have a three-headed monster on the rushing attack this season.

Watch out for Shaw to try to make a name for himself in this game vying for a position as the fourth head for the Badgers. The freshman comes in to Madison listed at 6’1” and 205 pounds out of Birmingham, Alabama.

While fans may not see him much this year, take a moment to take a glimpse into the future of Wisconsin running attack. Shaw will be looking to have a breakout performance.

3. Bart Houston/Alex Hornibrook

Wisconsin graduated Joel Stave, which means this group will have a real position battle on its hands for the first time in a long time. Lest you actually believe Tanner McEvoy’s cameo as a starter was anything but Gary Andersen trying to fit a square peg in to a round hole. 

While the reports out of spring practice have Bart Houston running away with the competition, the latter part of spring practice has seen Hornibrook pick up some momentum in the battle. The spring game presents a big stage for both of these guys to stamp their presence as the guy who should start.

Regardless, either way, there will be a new guy under center come the opening game in Green Bay when the team takes on LSU so get to know the new face of Badger football.

4. Chris Orr

The sophomore inside linebacker came out of virtually nowhere last year to be one of the best linebackers for Wisconsin’s defense in the 2016 season. He managed 46 total tackles, 24 of which were unassisted. At 6 feet tall and 227 pounds as a sophomore, Orr is already stepping into a leadership role on defense.

The Wisconsin linebacking core are projected by many experts to be one of the best units in the Big Ten. Orr will be leading the charge. He is quick and very smart on the field. He sees the game well. It will be important to watch him alongside the other linebackers early this spring to see if they can live up to the hype.

It’s also important because there appears to be three legit starters for two open positions, with redshirt sophomore T.J. Edwards and redshirt junior Jack Cichy battling with Orr for the two open slots. Performing well in the spring game certainly won’t hurt Orr’s chances of solidifying a starting spot.

5. Leon Jacobs

Leon Jacobs is my wildcard to watch for the 2016 Spring Game. Jacobs, as you may remember started last season as a promising inside linebacker. After he was ejected for targeting and Chris Orr stepped in, Orr essentially earned the job away from Jacobs who later ended his season with surgery on his injured foot.

Jacobs is back and listed in a new position, full back. I love the new position for Jacobs who will compete for the job with Austin Ramesh and Alec Ingold.

Jacobs is a house, listed at 6’2” and 235 pounds he is a dream for goal line situations. Look to see if he can excel in his new position.  

——————————————-

Those are the five players to key in on during the annual Red vs. White Spring game. While the score rarely matters, the performances do. Head coach Paul Chryst will be watching carefully and it is nothing but an opportunity for players to go out and show up at Camp Randall.

Just ask Joel Stave what a breakout spring can do for ones career in Madison.