Fall Camp Preview: Five position battles to watch
With fall camp set to kick off Monday, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at five position battles to watch this month before Wisconsin's opener against LSU.
Fall Camp Preview: Quarterbacks | Fall Camp Preview: Running backs and fullbacks | Fall Camp Preview: Offensive Line | Fall Camp Preview: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends | Fall Camp Preview: Five true freshmen to watch
Quarterback: Bart Houston vs. Alex Hornibrook
The obvious position battle to watch this fall, all eyes will be on redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook and senior Bart Houston. Neither created much separation this spring and both will enter camp with an equal chance to emerge as the starter. Houston, though, does have game experience, leading Wisconsin to a 24-13 road victory over Illinois in place of an injured Joel Stave last fall.
"We have two good guys and it's up to coach (Paul) Chryst to pick who is going to be out there," running back Dare Ogunbowale said at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. "We have confidence in both of them, it's just a matter of who's going to rise to the top."
Prediction: Bart Houston
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Safety: Leo Musso vs. Joe Ferguson / D'Cota Dixon vs. Arrington Farrar
Two starting jobs are up for grabs at safety with the graduation of Mike Caputo and Tanner McEvoy. Leo Musso, D'Cota Dixon and Joe Ferguson all bring game experience to the table, but sophomore Arrington Farrar (six tackles in 2015 as a true freshman) is, arguably, the most physically gifted of the four. Musso and Dixon opened the spring with the No. 1 unit and will likely do the same when camp opens Monday, but don't be surprised to see Farrar make a jump at either spot.
Prediction: Leo Musso and D'Cota Dixon
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Left Guard: Dan Voltz vs. Jon Dietzen and Micah Kapoi
With Michael Dieter expected to remain at center this fall, Dan Voltz, who has started 27 games at the position, will likely begin camp at left guard. He'll battle redshirt freshman Jon Dietzen, who took a bulk of the first-team reps this spring, along with sophomore Micah Kapoi, who started 10 games in 2015. If healthy, Voltz (knee) is the favorite, but the staff loves Dietzen, an athletic and powerful lineman at 6-foot-6 and 333 pounds.
Prediction: Dan Voltz
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No. 3 wide receiver: George Rushing vs. Reggie Love
Unless injuries hit, Rob Wheelwright and Jazz Peavy have positioned themselves as Wisconsin's starting wide receivers. Behind them, senior Reggie Love is looking to end his career on a high note, while junior George Rushing hopes to ride the momentum from a strong spring game performance. Both with battle for the No. 3 job, though a darkhorse in the race could be true freshman A.J. Taylor, whom the staff is very high on.
Prediction: George Rushing
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Punter: P.J. Rosowski vs. Anthony Lotti
Anthony Lotti, a full-scholarship punter in the 2016 class, is the favorite to replace Drew Meyer. But the three-star prospect from Georgia, who averaged 45.4 yards on 49 punts, including 19 placed inside the 20-yard line as a senior, has yet to participate in a college camp. Lotti's biggest competition will likely come from sophomore P.J. Rosowski, who punted once and handled eight kickoffs in 2015. Freshmen Connor Allen and Zach Hoffman are also listed on the roster at the position.
Prediction: Anthony Lotti