Bowl is perfect time for lasting impression
MADISON – Luke Fickell has made it clear Wisconsin's No. 1 goal entering the Guaranteed Rate Bowl is to defeat Oklahoma State.
Nevertheless, Fickell wants to continue evaluating the current personnel so he has a better feel for which players will help form the foundation of the 2023 team.
Here are five players who may have an opportunity in the bowl game on Tuesday in Phoenix to prove they are ready for more playing time next season:
Trey Wedig, OL, redshirt sophomore
The graduate of Kettle Moraine High School is listed as the No. 1 right guard for the bowl game. He moved into the starting lineup for the Big Ten opener at Ohio State, at right tackle, and got five consecutive starts at that spot. He started the next two games – against Maryland
and Iowa – at right guard. Wedig struggled against the Hawkeyes' front, however, and missed the final two games because of an arm injury.
Is Wedig, 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, better suited to play tackle or guard? It will be interesting to see what new line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. eventually decides.
Myles Burkett, QB, freshman
Burkett, who led Franklin High School to the WIAA Division 1 state title in 2021, has played in just two games this season. He didn't attempt a pass against Illinois State but completed 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards against New Mexico State.
Burkett could flourish in Phil Longo's offense because of his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet.
It remains unclear whether offensive coordinator Bobby Engram will start senior Chase Wolf or Burkett against Oklahoma State but both should play.
Gio Paez, NT, redshirt junior
With Keeanu Benton preparing for the 2023 NFL draft, Paez gets an opportunity to play at least when UW deploys a three-man front. Can he hold up against the run? Can he occupy linemen and keep linebackers free to flow to the ball? Is he ready to move into the starting lineup in 2023?
Kaden Johnson, OLB, redshirt sophomore
Johnson is set to start in place of Nick Herbig, who is preparing for the NFL draft. Johnson has played in all 12 games this season. He has 19 tackles. Can he make plays in the backfield against Oklahoma State and perhaps show he is ready for a major role in 2023?
Tanor Bortolini, OL, redshirt sophomore
Bortolini has started two games at center and 13 at guard. Eight of the starts at guard have come this season – two on the left side and six on the right side. With Joe Tippmann preparing for the draft, Bortolini is set to start at center for the bowl game.
He is UW's most versatile offensive lineman, but every good line needs a leader at center. Could this game set the stage for Bortolini to anchor the unit in 2023?