Chryst keeps team on same page
MADISON – Part of the job of a head coach is to manage the environment in the locker room to ensure players focus on the task at hand and ignore outside conversations and expectations.
UW’s Paul Chryst has done that consistently so far this summer.
Analysts already have UW in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis, and some have the Badgers moving on to the College Football Playoff.
Chryst hasn’t muzzled his players from talking about their goal of qualifying for the playoff but has, at every opportunity, reminded anyone with a microphone of the work required to achieve such a goal.
“There’s a lot of storylines, but nothing’s happened yet,” he said. “You have to go out and earn it. That’s why the season is fun.
“That’s why I said earlier it’s a journey, and you want to enjoy that journey with your players and you want them to maximize that opportunity . ... I feel pretty fortunate with our team. They should know that nothing matters what’s being said outside. It’s what you do with your opportunity.”
Sports Illustrated on Tuesday released its four regional covers. UW offensive linemen David Edwards, Beau Benzschawel, Tyler Biadasz, Michael Deiter and Jon Dietzen adorned one of the covers.
Asked Tuesday night whether that recognition spoke to the work those players had put in at UW, Chryst said: “Yeah. Now back it up.”
Translation: You guys looked handsome and all, but that cover photo won’t help you open holes for tailback Jonathan Taylor or protect quarterback Alex Hornibrook against Michigan or Penn State or any other team on the schedule.
Chryst was also asked about the deep corps of wide receivers, led by Quintez Cephus, A.J. Taylor, Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor.
That quartet combined for 100 catches, 1,573 receiving yards and 17 touchdown catches last season despite the fact that only Taylor was healthy for every game.
Once more, Chryst tapped the brakes on expectations.
“I like our group,” he said. “But we’ve still got a lot of growing to do in that group. What I like about them is that they’re wanting to learn, they’re wanting to grow and they’re challenging themselves.”
Freshman WR flashes speed
Given the experience and the playmaking ability of UW’s top four wide receivers, it seems unlikely that a freshman will be good enough to find playing time.
Yet freshman Aron Cruickshank showed in the spring and has shown again so far in camp that he is dynamic with the ball.
Cruickshank is slight in stature at just 5-9 and 154. Yet he catches the ball cleanly, has an intriguing mix of quickness and speed and finds a way to avoid direct hits.
Look for the coaches to find a way to get the freshman on the field on punt returns or at wide receiver.
Battle at left tackle
Dietzen and Cole Van Lanen have been splitting time with the No. 1 offensive line at left tackle.
Dietzen, a redshirt junior from Seymour High School, has more experience than Van Lanen and is physically stronger at this juncture.