Healthy Deal can help on ground
MADISON – The pain in his right ankle has been replaced by the joy of running through defenders.
The frustration of being sidelined for the entire 2017 season because of another injury has been replaced by the satisfaction of knowing he is in the best shape of his life and relentlessly confident as he prepares for his final season at Wisconsin.
Taiwan Deal, a fifth-year senior tailback from Capitol Heights, Md., believes he can help his team achieve all of its goals in 2018.
“Man, it feels great to come out and make it through camp,” Deal said as UW continued to prepare for the opener at 8 p.m. Friday against visiting Western Kentucky. “I worked really hard to come out and show that I can be an asset and have a role.
“This year I just wanted to show my teammates I’m still here, I’m still grinding with you guys and I’m still going to fight to the end.”
Sophomore Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 1,977 yards last season, is the Alpha Dog of the tailback unit.
But the 6-foot-1, 221-pound Deal possesses an intriguing mix of power and speed the coaching staff is eager to utilize.
By now, Deal’s story of pain is all too familiar.
After redshirting in 2014, he played in 10 games and rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. He played in only six games because of ankle injuries in 2016 and finished with 164 yards.
Deal was running hard last August until he took a blow to his right ankle during the second week of camp.
The hit loosened screws surgically implanted after the Cotton Bowl and caused a crack in the ankle. Deal’s ’17 season was finished before the opener.
He performed well again in camp this month and heads a group of backups behind Taylor.
“I just focused on working on my body and recovery – things I can do to make my body stronger and last longer throughout the season,” Deal said.
That included cold tubs, rest and time spent each day in new NormaTec sleeves that can be used on the legs or arms of a player.
“I love those things,” Deal said. “It is supposed to bring in new blood to the areas of your body, wherever you put the sleeves.
“It has kept my legs fresh all camp. That has been a great thing, sitting in those 30 to 60 minutes every day.”
Deal’s parents are scheduled to attend the opener.
It will be their first chance to see their son since the Cotton Bowl, when he carried just twice for 9 yards.
“I wasn’t going to be down forever,” Deal said. “That is what I always thought. I just took advantage of the opportunity, stayed focused and kept grinding.
“One thing I have told myself in this camp is to be patient, be calm and just run. Don’t be scared to bet hit. Just run.
“I think when you have that mindset, you can go out and compete against everybody … even if you have been away from the game for a while.”