Wisconsin Badgers football: Takeaways from local media day

MADISON — It's here.

The most anticipated fall training camp in recent memory (maybe ever) for the Wisconsin football team has arrived.

The Badgers hit the road Tuesday afternoon, traveling about 65 miles southwest of Madison to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where new head coach Luke Fickell's team will have its first preseason practice Wednesday morning.

Before that, Fickell, members of his staff and several players spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon at the program's local media day. BadgerBlitz.com was there and compiled four important notes from the day.

Tanor Bortolini will be Wisconsin's first-team center for at least the start of training camp as Cincinnati transfer Jake Renfro continues to recover from an injury that sidelined him for most of the spring.

"Jake Renfro is coming back," Bortolini, who began spring camp as UW's first-team left guard, said. "Not being able to play this spring, it gives him time to get his feet underneath him. Once he's back and fully comfortable, I'll be ready to transition to guard whenever. Whatever they need me (to do), I am more than willing to do it."

The versatile Bortolini started camp last year as UW's second-team center but primarily played guard during the season, making six starts on the left side and one on the right. He started at center in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl after Joe Tippmann declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

That experience makes Bortolini UW's best option if Renfro's absence extends into the season, but his snapping must improve. He had issues with accuracy throughout the spring

"The biggest thing about snapping is that I probably didn’t get enough work at it throughout January," he said. "Going throughout the summer, I made that a big focus point every day. I'd come out here and get snaps and get practice at it. I feel a lot better about it. I took the steps I needed to improve and make sure I am ready for it this fall (if needed)."

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi has started the last two seasons injured or working his way back from injury.

In 2021, after transferring to UW from Clemson, Mellusi injured his hamstring during fall camp but played through it. Last year, he was still trying to get comfortable after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the 2021 season.

Now? Wisconsin fans may see the best version of Mellusi in 2023. He said he feels as good as he ever has.

"This is the best I've felt going into camp, honestly," Mellusi said. "Last camp, I was coming off an ACL. I can't tell you how that feels. I felt like myself, but now I really feel like myself. My body is back to normal."

Mellusi, who's rushed for 1,288 yards at UW when healthy, praised UW's new strength and conditioning staff, led by Brady Collins.

"They allowed me to really be myself and understand my body," Mellusi said. "I think it's going to be a good camp."

Mellusi, junior star Braelon Allen's backfield partner, said he's "a lot faster."

"This is probably the fastest I've been since I've been here, honestly," Mellusi said.

Oklahoma State transfer Bryson Green, who spent the spring recovering from an injury, brings a different element of strength to UW's deep receiver room, offensive coordinator Phil Longo said.

"The addition of Bryson in the fall will give us a guy that is as strong, if not our strongest, receiver out there," Longo said.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder caught 42 passes for 723 yards with seven scores for Oklahoma State. He made nine contested catches last season on 18 targets for a 50% win rate, per Pro Football Focus.

"Physically, he's a little bit different than the other guys," Longo said. "That's not taking anything away from them. That just happens to be Bryson's strength. It'll be good to have a guy out there who can handle longer corners and bigger safeties."

Junior Hunter Wohler, UW's most versatile defender and one of the team's most important players, could emerge as a 2024 NFL Draft prospect this season.

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Colin Hitschler will use him all over the field, just as former defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard did last year when Wohler was healthy. Wohler is strong in coverage, defends the run well and can be used as a pass rusher off the edge.

"He has a combination of a skill set that is very versatile, off-field intelligence and football instincts," Tressel said. "That kind of package. That allows to use him in a lot of ways, and mentally, he's really, really sharp.

"When a guy does multiple things on the football field, whether it's playing a couple of different positions or being asked to do a variety of assignments, you can't cover every single situation that an offense might run against every position. When you have a guy with natural football instincts, you can trust him to do more things."

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