Loudermilk, Rand back to bolster UW’s D-line
Unit was decimated by injuries last season
MADISON – Wisconsin defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield ran out of options – and healthy bodies – in 2018.
End Garrett Rand? Finished before the season started because of an Achilles injury.
End Isaiahh Loudermilk? Slowed early because of offseason knee surgery and limited to just nine of 13 games because of injuries.
Nose tackle Olive Sagapolu? Lost for the season after suffering an arm injury at Northwestern, UW’s eighth game of the season.
The injuries to Rand and Loudermilk led to two significant developments. Matt Henningsen, then a redshirt freshman, was thrust into the starting lineup before he was ready. Kayden Lyles was moved from the offensive line to defensive end for the entire season.
Henningsen showed promise and led the unit in tackles with 32. Lyles gave maximum effort but essentially took one for the team and moved back to the offensive line during bowl prep, where he’ll likely start at guard this season.
The loss of Sagapolu forced Bryson Williams, a freshman who enrolled a se
mester early, into the starting lineup.
“It was kind of tough,” Williams acknowledged. “But I really think that Nokes and Olive did a great job preparing me as best they could.
“I was young and I didn’t have any starting experience but I got decent (reps) before I really got thrown in there. And coming here early pretty much gave me a five-month advantage to prepare.
“It was tough but it could have been a lot tougher.”
Life should be easier for the unit in 2019 – if Rand and Loudermilk can stay healthy – beginning with the opening of camp Aug. 1.
“If me and Garrett can stay healthy,” Loudermilk said, “my goal for the unit is that we can be dominant and have the line of scrimmage move back into the backfield.
“I feel like we have the type of guys who can do that, who can make plays in the backfield.”
The staff has been cautious with Rand, who didn’t do any team drills until the final week of spring ball. Loudermilk, Rand and Henningsen would give UW three legitimate options at end.
“I definitely feel like I can play some ball,” Rand said. “It’s about time.
“This injury made my fire even more. It has been such a long time. I have been (champing) at the bit to get on the football field and put the pads on.
“I’m definitely confident in my ability to play some good football.”
Redshirt freshman Isaiah Mullens appeared in the spring to be capable of giving UW a fourth option. Senior David Pfaff, who played in 11 games last season, could help in a pinch.
The picture at nose tackle isn’t as clear.
Williams, who last season started three games and played in all 13, is the only scholarship nose tackle on the roster. Gunnar Roberge, a walk-on from Seymour, was the No. 2 nose tackle in the spring. The fifth-year senior has played a total of five games, all last season.
That situation opens the door for one of three freshmen to help if they are ready. They are: Keeanu Benton of Janesville Craig High School, Gio Paez of North Carolina and Rodas Johnson of Columbus, Ohio.
Head coach Paul Chryst noted the staff believes a couple of the ends could fill in at nose tackle if needed to lighten Williams’ workload.
Rand has played nose tackle; Mullens, 6-foot-4 and 280, appears stout enough.
“I’m not saying that every defensive end can be a nose (tackle),” Chryst said, “but I think we’ve got a couple that can go that way and we’ll kind of play it out.”
Williams, who is as loquacious as he is enthusiastic, believes opponents will face a more daunting task moving UW’s defensive line this season.
“Yes,” he said, “we will be better.”