Wisconsin offensive lineman Dietzen quits football

MADISON – Jon Dietzen battled ankle and hip injuries for most of the last four years at Wisconsin.

The standout offensive lineman from Seymour High School had been mulling whether to return for his redshirt senior season in the fall but on Monday announced he is walking away from the game.

“After a lot of thought and careful consideration,” he wrote on Twitter, “I’ve decided it is in my best interest to step away from football due to numerous injuries.”

Dietzen redshirted in 2015, started eight games at left guard in 2016 and 12 at left guard in 2017 before moving to left tackle in 2018.

Dietzen battled ankle injuries during his first few seasons and then had surgery on both hips before last season. He split time with Cole Van Lanen at left tackle but started 12 of 13 games.

Van Lanen, who played in all 13 games as a redshirt sophomore last season, should enter camp as the No. 1 left tackle.