Published Jul 20, 2020
Key Wisconsin Badgers 2020: No. 11 - Defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk
Raul Vazquez
BadgerBlitz.com Staff Writer

Wisconsin's 2020 football season is (hopefully) right around the corner, so BadgerBlitz.com ranked the Top 25 players who we think will be the keys to success for Paul Chryst's squad this year.

Playing time, past performance and positional depth all factored into our staff rankings.

STRENGTHS

Isaiahh Loudermilk, a three-star defensive end out of Kansas, was finally able to play a full season in 2019 after missing seven combined games in 2017 and 2018. Last fall, Loudermilk racked up 24 tackles - five for a loss - three sacks, five pass deflections and forced two fumbles.

At 6-foot-7 and 297 pounds, Loudermilk is able to disturb passing lanes, is efficient against the run and uses his power to wreak havoc in the backfield. The redshirt senior used his strength for a pair of bull-rush sacks this past season. That power was on full display in the dismantling of Michigan State when he drove a Spartans' guard back into the lap of quarterback Brian Lewerke. Loudermilk helped push the Badgers to the No. 6 mark in the country in run defense last year.

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WEAKNESSES 

Loudermilk has shown flashes of brilliance when getting after the quarterback, but has, more often than not, been limited when it comes to rushing the passer. He does a good job of staying in the play and has had instances where he’s gotten in the backfield. The UW defense calls for the linemen to hold their gaps and create holes for linebackers to pursue the quarterback. But if Loudermilk can provide more pressure, he'll help elevate the defense to the next level.

Isaiahh Loudermilk 2019 Numbers
GamesSoloAst.TotalSacksPFF Grade

14

13

11

24

3

64.1

WHY HE'S No. 11

A healthy Loudermilk and Garrett Rand at defensive end was huge for Wisconsin last season. Now with a second full year together, the line should be even better, with Keeanu Benton and Bryson Williams on the inside and Matt Henningsen providing another experienced body on the edge. The depth of the group hurts Loudermilk in an exercise like this, but he's proven to be one of the more important players in Jim Leonhard's unit.

OVERALL

The Badgers sorely missed a healthy defensive line in 2018, and the results showed a season later with Henningsen, Loudermilk and Rand all on the field together. Now heading into his senior year, Loudermilk could be on the verge of a breakout campaign with the hopes playing in the NFL in 2021.

Key Wisconsin Badgers 2020 Countdown
RANKPLAYERSTORY 

No. 25

Redshirt senior CB Caesar Williams

No. 24

Redshirt junior K Collin Larsh

No. 23

Redshirt senior FB Mason Stokke

No. 22

Redshirt senior WR Jack Dunn

No. 21

Sophomore ILB Leo Chenal

No. 20

Junior CB Rachad Wildgoose

No. 19

Redshirt senior DE Garrett Rand

No. 18

Redshirt junior OG Josh Seltzner

No. 17

Redshirt sophomore S Reggie Pearson

No. 16

Redshirt junior OL Tyler Beach

No. 15

Redshirt junior OL Kayden Lyles

No. 14

Redshirt junior OLB Izayah Green-May

No. 13

Redshirt junior OL Logan Bruss

No. 12

Redshirt senior RB Garrett Groshek