MADISON — The Wisconsin football team starts training camp three days from now.

As we move our way toward Aug. 2, BadgerBlitz.com continues its position-by-position analysis of the roster with a look at the defensive line.

RELATED: Quarterbacks | Cornerbacks | Running backs | Inside linebackers | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Outside linebackers | Special teams | Safeties

This position group may have the most question marks ahead of fall training camp.

The Badgers have plenty of pieces — some of them being experienced players — but how will they all fit and be utilized? Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel showed different packages this spring with three or two down linemen. He frequently moved guys around, using them in different ways.

Sixth-year senior Isaiah Mullens, for example, has been a defensive end throughout his collegiate career. He played inside this spring along with fifth-year senior Gio Paez. Those two players figure to be key in replacing Keeanu Benton, a four-year starter for Wisconsin who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Mullens tore his meniscus in Wisconsin's fifth game in 2022 and missed six straight contests. He's played in 40 games for Wisconsin.

Paez, 6-foot-3, 319 pounds, was Benton's backup the last two seasons. He played in 10 of 13 games last year and logged a career-high 165 snaps.

The Badgers also return two defensive ends who took steps forward last year in Rodas Johnson and James Thompson Jr.

Johnson got better as last season went on, as he had 12 of his 23 tackles, four of his six tackles for a loss of yards and his only sack in the last six games. Thompson, who saw his role increase after Mullens suffered his injury, logged 23 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss of yards and a sack. Almost all of that production came in the back half of the season.

New head coach Luke Fickell and his staff added to the group in the offseason by securing a commitment from Temple transfer Darian Varner (defensive end). Two other players worth monitoring during camp will be redshirt freshman Curtis Neal (nose tackle) and true freshman Jamel Howard (nose tackle). Both could push Paez/Mullens for snaps inside.

"I think we have a chip on our shoulder," Paez said. "We lost a big piece from our defensive line from last year. I feel like guys are looking at it as an opportunity. Coach (Greg)Scruggs kind of went through our statistics and how Keeanu fell into it.

"We have some plays to make. He's gone. We're done hearing about him. This is where we are now. It's exciting, and we're all looking forward to it."

The staff didn’t get to see Varner in action this spring — he was recovering from an injury he suffered last season — but Fickell, Tressel and defensive line coach Greg Scruggs believe he can be a critical piece.

"Juice," Scruggs said when asked what he expects Varner to add to UW's defense.

The Badgers' defense needs that kind of playmaking pop after losing Benton and outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who combined for 15.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss of yards combined in 2022. Herbig led the Big Ten in both categories.

Varner recorded 35 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss (fourth in the AAC) and 7.5 sacks (third in the AAC) en route to first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors last season. He had 3.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss in an October loss to Tulsa. He missed the final two games of the season with a foot injury.

"He's a big, strong anchor guy who has long arms and is able to disrupt the offensive line," Scruggs said. "He can disrupt the line of scrimmage and also go get after the passer. I am excited to get him back and get him healthy because then we can begin to hone the craft of a player that I believe has a pretty decent foundation."

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