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Behind Enemy Lines Previews: The Wisconsin Badgers

As we get closer to the 2021 football season, we decided to poll the other sites in the SB Nation family to get a sense on where their programs are at. Today’s edition welcomes Drew Hamm of Bucky’s Fifth Quarter to discuss the Wisconsin Badgers, who Michigan will see on Oct. 2 in Madison.

Here is the full rundown from Hamm on what the Badgers bring back and how the fanbase feels about their outlook moving forward.

Wisconsin’s key departures

  • Garrett Groshek, RB, third-down back, graduated
  • Mason Stokke, FB, starter, graduated
  • Cole Van Lanen, OT, starter, drafted
  • Jon Dietzen, IOL, started, graduated
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE, starter, drafted
  • Garrett Rand, DE, starter, graduated
  • Rachad Wildgoose, CB, starter, drafted
  • Eric Burrell, S, starter, graduated
  • Jack Coan, QB, a former starter, transfer to Notre Dame

Key returnees

  • Graham Mertz, QB, NIL champion and potentially the most talented quarterback the Badgers have had since Russell Wilson
  • Jalen Berger, RB, from New Jersey so you know he’s going to be good
  • Jake Ferguson, TE, Barry Alvarez’s grandson and preseason all-American
  • Kayden Lyles, IOL, anchor of the offensive line
  • Keeanu Benton, NT, has NFL scouts salivating
  • Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, ILBs, the next in a long line of hard-hitting, field-covering LBs for Jim Leonhard’s defense
  • The secondary has, no joke, about 10 guys that have played serious snaps.