8/3/2016 football Edit

Fall Camp Preview: Five upperclassmen to watch at camp

Jon McNamara • BadgerBlitz

Editor

Jon McNamara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has covered UW athletics since 2002 and has worked at Rivals.com since 2006.

With fall camp set to kick off Monday, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at five upperclassmen to watch this month before Wisconsin's opener against LSU.

Senior quarterback Bart Houston

Career so far: The senior from California has played in 15 games and completed 29 of 51 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. As a junior, Houston went 22-for-33 for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, all career highs, while playing in relief of starter Joel Stave at Illinois.

Reason to watch: Houston, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, will battle redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook for the right to start at quarterback in 2016. Experience is on his side as the Badgers begin preparation for the 2016 season Monday.

Likely outcome: A solid and consistent camp should allow Houston to end his time at Wisconsin on a high note.

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Senior safety Leo Musso

Career so far: The former in-state running back from Waunakee has played in 38 games with three starts (34 total tackles and three interceptions).

Reason to watch: Musso, 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, has a slight edge to start in the defensive secondary heading into camp. The quartet of Arrington Farrar, D'Cota Dixon, Joe Ferguson and Musso is fighting for two open spots at safety with the graduation of Mike Caputo and Tanner McEvoy.

Likely outcome: Like Houston, Musso's experience gives him an advantage and it's likely he opens with the No. 1 defense against LSU.

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Senior wide receiver Reggie Love

Career so far: Reggie Love has played in 32 games with three starts. Heading into his senior season, the Florida native has seven catches for 89 receiving yards and eight carries for 83 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Reason to watch: Love, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, has shown spurts of good football over the course of his career but has lacked consistency. He'll have a big chance to be part of this offense as the No. 3 receiver, but will have to hold off George Rushing, as well as a host of other young talent on the roster.

Likely outcome: If Love can put together a strong fall camp, he should be able to at least double his career numbers in his final season at Wisconsin.

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Senior offensive lineman Dan Voltz

Career so far: The former four-star prospect from Illinois has played in 32 games with 27 starts at center. Voltz was part of an offensive line that paved way for a school-record 320.1 rushing yards per game in 2014.

Reason to watch: The first thing to keep an eye on is Voltz's health after a knee injury cut his junior season short. The second is the 6-foot-3, 294-pound senior's likely transition to left guard with Michael Dieter now cemented at center. Voltz will need to hold off youngsters Micah Kapoi and Jon Dietzen this fall.

Likely outcome: If healthy, there's no reason Voltz's start total can't reach at least 40 in 2016.

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Junior cornerback Derrick Tindal

Career so far: A true junior, Derrick Tindal has played in 24 games with seven starts (42 tackles, including 1.5 TFLs and one sack).

Reason to watch: The 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback is stepping into a full-time starting role opposite senior Sojourn Shelton. How will he fair with that pressure, and can he hold off a push from the young corners on the roster?

Likely outcome: Tindal created some separation from Natrell Jamerson, Titus Booker and Serge Trezy this spring. His play as a starter in 2016 will be crucial to Wisconsin's success.

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