With questions regarding who will step up in Jim Leonhard’s top-five defense heading into the 2018 season, at least one position group has the combination of experience and depth to help bridge the transition to this year’s team, which needs to replace seven of 11 starters from a year ago.
That would be the inside linebackers, led by an All-American and two other starting-caliber standouts.
Though Jack Cichy’s presence will be missed as a team captain, T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly, and Chris Orr should once again solidify a major part of Wisconsin’s front seven under the direction of Bob Bostad.