Wisconsin heads into its Week 4 matchup against No. 14 Penn State with a depth chart that keeps a familiar shape in place, even as injuries continue to force a few adjustments.
The Badgers will meet the Nittany Lions on Sept. 26 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The two-deep was supplied to the media by UW Communications and is based on the previous game. With players now receiving five years of eligibility, Wisconsin’s chart lists players as freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or fifth-year, and redshirt designations are no longer used.
At quarterback, Colton Joseph is listed as the starter, with Ryan Hopkins and Deuce Adams backing him up. Darrion Dupree remains the first-team running back, while Bryan Jackson and Nate Palmer are next in line. Senior Abu Sama missed Game 3 because of injury.
Wisconsin’s receiver group features Chris Brooks Jr. and Eugene Hilton as the first-team wideouts, with Tyrell Henry opening as the slot receiver. Shamar Rigby appears as the second-team option at all three receiver spots. Senior Malachi Coleman did not play in Week 3 because of injury.
Up front, the offensive line stays settled with PJ Wilkins at left tackle, Colin Cubberly at left guard, Austin Kawecki at center, Stylz Blackmon at right guard and Kevin Heywood at right tackle. The second team includes Lucas Simmons-Johansson, Blake Cherry, Ryan Cory, Emerson Mandell and Barrett Nelson.
Tight end is led by Jacob Harris, with Grant Stec and Emmett Bork behind him. Fifth-year Ryan Schwendeman has missed the last two games due to injury.
On defense, Wisconsin’s front lists Hammond Russell IV and Charles Perkins as the first-team defensive linemen, with Junior Poyser, Dillan Johnson, Nolan Vils and DeNigel Cooper behind them. The edge spots go to Sebastian Cheeks and Tyreese Fearbry, with Nick Clayton, Micheal Garner and Justus Boone among the backups.
Inside linebacker spots are occupied by Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa, while Jon Jon Kamara and Thomas Heiberger are the second-team options.
The secondary is anchored by Javan Robinson and Jai'mier Scott at cornerback, Bryce West at nickel, and Marvin Burks and Matt Jung at safety. Donovan Dunmore, Eric Fletcher, Raphael Dunn, Cairo Skanes and Carson Van Dinter fill out the second unit. Junior Cai Bates missed the last game because of injury.
Special teams stay steady as well. Gavin Lahm handles kicking and kickoffs, Sean West is listed as the punter and holder, and James Roe is the long snapper. Tyrell Henry is the top punt returner, with Eugene Hilton next, while Nate Palmer is first on kickoff returns and Darrion Dupree is behind him.
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For Wisconsin fans, the broader appeal is easy to see. The Badgers have shown a recent willingness to involve tight ends in the offense, and that kind of usage matters when a high-end in-state recruit is weighing his options this early in the process. Doyles visit did not just put Wisconsin in the conversation, it gave the program a chance to make an impression that could matter much later. [Read more 🡒]