The Wisconsin Badgers closed out their abbreviated 2020 season with a 42-28 victory over Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec.30.

In a year where COVID dominated the headlines, BadgerBlitz.com looks back at the season that was, breaking down the bright spots and low points at each position, with an eye toward the future.

QBs | RBs / FBs | WRs | TEs | O-Line | D-Line | OLBs | ILBs |

Returning the entire allotment of corners from a year ago, Wisconsin was thought to have a defensive unit that could make things difficult for Big Ten quarterbacks. Those prognoses were correct. The Badgers went through their six Big Ten games averaging only 169.8 passing yards per game, a number that was tops in the Big Ten and sixth nationally entering the bowl season.

While UW allowed nine passing touchdowns against Big Ten teams, the Badgers gave up an average of just three pass plays over 20 yards per game and only one pass play over 40 yards all season. Wisconsin held four teams under 200 passing yards and limited Illinois to only 87 yards through the air in the season opener. Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams played every game for Wisconsin. Hicks had the unit’s best Pro Football Focus coverage grade at 70.7, allowing 12 receptions on 29 targets, while Williams was the most reliable with seven starts and 378 snaps.

UW was also able to tap into its depth by utilizing sophomore Donte Burton in the nickel, as well as junior Deron Harrell and sophomore Alexander Smith when injuries affected some players higher in the depth chart. The trio has their faults but also showed flashes that are encouraging moving forward.

Rachad Wildgoose began the season as a starting corner opposite Williams and delivered a sterling opening performance, allowing only three catches for 13 yards on the seven times he was targeted by the Illini. It was downhill from there for the junior, who missed the win over Michigan because of COVID and then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the first half against Northwestern. The most surprising announcement came in the days that followed when Wildgoose announced that he was departing the team and declaring for the NFL Draft. To date, Wildgoose has not appeared on any lists naming the top available cornerbacks in the draft but it’s unlikely he’ll revisit his decision.

The Badgers certainly aren’t hurting for depth at the position but returning Wildgoose – who started 17 of the 25 games he played for the Badgers – would have been a nice boost moving into next season.

Hicks has announced his intention to return in 2021 while Williams – a third-team All-Big Ten selection – still hasn’t made his decision known. In addition to losing WIldgoose, the Badgers didn’t have redshirt freshman Semar Melvin after the Northwestern game due to an unknown injury. Melvin was counted on by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard in pressure situations at the end of the 2019 season and, if healthy, could challenge Burton for the starting nickel spot.

Originally not on the field for the first part of the season, Harrell earned more reps from Leonhard in the latter parts of the season, getting 31 plays against Minnesota and 34 against Wake Forest. Of the 11 times he was targeted in those two games, he allowed five completions with one touchdown and one penalty. The bowl game was also big for Smith and Dean Engram, who both played career-high snaps with 35 and 31, respectively. Both players factor into reserve roles to add to the depth of the roster that Leonhard has built over the last several years.