Fall Camp Preview: Five true freshmen to watch

In 2015, four true freshmen - Chris Orr, Olive Sagapolu, Arrington Farrar and Alec Ingold - saw immediate action for Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst. And with fall camp set to kick off next Monday, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at five players from the 2016 recruiting class who could play during their first season in Madison.

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At Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, head coach Paul Chryst noted the current depth at wide receiver could allow for some young talent to see action in 2016.

"I think the young receivers that are here, with what our depth is right now at that group, they can put themselves in a position to get some work and reps," Chryst said.

From that group, four-star A.J. Taylor, who finished his senior season with 2,560 all-purpose yards and 22 total touchdowns, is likely the most game ready. The standout from Kansas City has the ability to line up in multiple positions and could also help the Badgers right away on special teams.

"He's a young man that possesses a lot of abilities," wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore said in February on National Signing Day. "He can do a lot of things for you, whether if that's as a returner, whether that's as a running back or as a receiver. He's a guy who's really good in his hands.

"He's a really intelligent man on the field, off the field. He gets it and he sees the big picture. In saying that, I think that will give him a chance to play as a freshman."

One of the top prospects in Wisconsin's 2016 class, four-star lineman Garrett Rand arrived on campus this summer with high expectations.

"Physically, he's coming in as the most ready (defensive lineman) to go," position coach Inoke Breckterfield said on Signing Day. "I think that's the first and foremost thing is that physically, he'll be ready to go. And if you get to know Garrett mentally, he's on a different level.

"I think he's done a great job getting his body ready and when you talk to him he's all about football. He loves to work out, he loves to play and he loves the game. He'll have a chance to fight for some playing time, no doubt."

Listed as a defensive end, Rand, who recorded 92 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries as a senior, will battle for spot in Wisconsin's two-deep this fall. But with everyone returning on the defensive line from 2015 with the exception of Arthur Goldberg, Rand has a big test ahead of him.

In-state standout Cole Van Lanen will assume the "redshirt ready" role that Michael Deiter and Jon Dietzen held in previous years. That means the four-star prospect will travel with the team but will likely not be used unless injury hits.

"They call it ‘redshirt ready,’ so I’ll redshirt but I’ll travel with the team and stuff," Van Lanen told BadgerBlitz.com. "Basically, it’s not for sure or anything, but I’m going to try and come in and compete for a second-string job right away. They want me to be ready to play the next year if necessary, and that’s why I’ll travel with the team so I’ll get the game day experience. I’ll still have to work in to that position - nothing is guaranteed, but that’s what I’ve been talking about."

The Badgers are thin at offensive tackle behind projected starters Ryan Ramczyk and Jacob Maxwell. It will be interesting to see if Van Lanen can establish a back-up role at one of those spots, possibly on the left side behind Ramczyk.

"With Cole, I think he has a chance to come in and possibly contribute," position coach Joe Rudolph said on Signing Day. "He's really talented, he's strong, he's explosive, he's athletic and he's a smart kid, so I think picking up the information will be something that he'll do easily. I'm excited about him; can't wait."

A product of St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, Dontye Carriere-Williams has played at the highest level of high school football. Things will be ramped up considerably in the Big Ten, but multi-year starter Sojourn Shelton has liked what he's seen so far from the freshman.

“At my position group, Dontye Carriere-Williams from Fort Lauderdale, St. Thomas Aquinas. You can tell he’s one of those people where he’s going to be ready,” Shelton told reporters at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s going to take to fall camp really strong and take the coaching from coach (Jim) Leonhard.

“Dontye has taken some tremendous strides and I look forward to seeing his development.”

Carriere-Williams, who helped Aquinas claim back-to-back Class 7A state championships, will likely have to battle Titus Booker, Natrell Jamerson and Serge Trezy for a spot in Wisconsin’s two-deep at corner. Shelton and junior Derrick Tindal will likely enter camp as the projected starters.

“I think Dontye is coming in with the idea of playing right away,” Shelton said. “It’s something that he’ll have to work for but has the ability to do, from what I’ve seen.”

With the graduation of Drew Meyer, Wisconsin will have a new starting punter in 2016. Anthony Lotti, who averaged 45.4 yards on 49 punts, including 19 placed inside the 20-yard line and 15 of 50-plus yards, should have the inside track this fall.

"The goal is to play right away," Lotti told BadgerBlitz.com. "I plan to come in right away and compete for that starting job."

Sophomore P.J. Rosowski returns with limited game experience, along with freshmen Connor Allen and Zach Hoffman at the position.

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