It’s 8 a.m. on a Tuesday morning in the McClain Center, and Wisconsin football spring practice is underway.
The defensive line takes shifts bowling over blocking dummies, exploding violently from the three-point stance while their coach demands more effort on every play.
Cornerbacks and safeties line up along the sideline with their backs to midfield. On their coach’s signal, they sprint backwards, turning their shoulders to the left or right after a few steps. Any lapse in exertion in snuffed out without question — you either practice hard or don’t play at all.
Wide receivers and quarterbacks are settled in their own corner of the field.