Wisconsin always looks for building blocks
UW develops lightly recruited linemen
MADISON – Given how many Wisconsin offensive linemen have flourished both in college and in the National Football League, UW coach Paul Chryst was asked earlier this summer to explain their success.
Chryst gave a lengthy and deErdmann tailed answer, part of which explains the projected makeup of the 2019 line.
“I've been fortunate,” said Chryst, who served as UW's offensive coordinator from 2005-11 and is entering his fifth season as head coach. “The guys that I've worked with, they have a specific list of things they really look for.
“They're not necessarily concerned about who else is recruiting them.”
UW's No. 1 unit in camp featured Cole Van Lanen at left tackle, Jason at left guard, Tyler Biadasz at center, Josh Seltzner at right guard and Logan Bruss at right tackle.
Seltzner, a redshirt sophomore from Columbus High School, and Erdmann, a fifth-year senior from Slinger High School, are former walk-ons.
Seltzner was looking at a handful of FCS schools before choosing to walk on at Wisconsin. Like Seltzner, Erdmann had no FBS offers and
chose to roll the dice at UW.
Biadasz, a redshirt junior from Amherst High School, is considered one of the better centers in the nation. But as a high school senior his offers came from UW, Illinois State, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois.
Van Lanen, a redshirt junior for Bay Port High School, was pursued by several Big Ten programs. Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota all extended offers.
Bruss, a redshirt sophomore from Kimberly High School, had three Big Ten offers in addition to UW. They came from Michigan, Nebraska and Illinois.
The third guard in camp was redshirt sophomore Kayden Lyles, who spent last season at defensive end.
Even if Lyles doesn't start the opener Friday at South Florida, he is expected to play.
"Kayden, I think it took him the spring just to get back into the rhythm of it," Chryst said. "Had a good summer and it has been fun to see him getting back in the groove of playing O-line."
Lyles, who began high school in Arizona but moved back to Wisconsin with his family and graduated from Middleton High School, had an impressive offer list. Ohio State, USC, Michigan, Michigan State and Oklahoma were among the schools that pursued him.
UW is replacing four starters from the 2018 line.
Left tackle Jon Dietzen quit football because persistent injuries proved to be too much to overcome. Left guard Michael Deiter was taken in the third round of the NFL draft, No. 78 overall, by the Miami Dolphins. Right tackle David Edwards was taken in the fifth round, No. 169 overall, by the Los Angeles Rams. Right guard Beau Benzschawel was not drafted but was quickly signed by the Detroit Lions as a free agent.
During the 2017 NFL season, four former UW linemen were among the highest-paid linemen in the league.
Kevin Zeitler was the highest-paid right guard after he signed a five-year, $60-million free-agent deal with Cleveland.
Travis Frederick was the highestpaid center, at six years and $56.4 million with Dallas.
Rick Wagner was the highest-paid right tackle, at five years and $47.5 million with Detroit.
Joe Thomas was the second-highest paid offensive lineman, at seven years and $80.5 million with Cleveland.
They were joined that season by rookie Ryan Ramczyk, who was taken in the first round by New Orleans and signed a deal for $8.9 million over four years.
Not only did all five players play at UW, all five were Wisconsin natives. Wagner and Ramczyk joined UW as walk-ons, with Ramczyk transferring to UW from Division III UW-Stevens Point.
“There is no magic pill,” Chryst said. “It takes work. It takes a lot of work. And that is why you appreciate what those players and coaches have done.
“I don't know that there's a secret to developing players. In the case of offensive linemen, why have we been able to do it? I think we've had really good players that want to truly do all they can to be the best they can be. And we've had really good coaches.”
Chryst has two coaches on his staff experienced in working with UW's offensive line.
Joe Rudolph, a standout guard at UW from 1992-94, is in his fifth season as UW's offensive line coach/offensive coordinator.
Inside linebackers coach Bob Bostad was UW's offensive line coach from 2008-11.
“I think the game has changed,” Rudolph said when asked what he looks for in a prospect. “You've got to be athletic. And when you go back all through the years, the most athletic guys have been the best.
“If not all that athletic … then you're trying to get as strong of a guy, as tough of a guy mentally and physical that you can find. “I think all those things play into it.” Rudolph, who also coached UW's tight ends from 2008-11, was asked to list some of his favorite UW offensive linemen.
“Oh boy,” he said. “So many guys. I think it is all fun. Each guy has their own story.”
The stories of Seltzner and Erdmann are similar. Both were big, powerful linemen in high school. Both have nimble feet. Both played at smaller schools and got little exposure outside of the state.
Biadasz attended several camps around the Big Ten but didn't get a sniff from anyone but UW, in part because most schools projected him as a defensive lineman.
“There weren't a lot of people recruiting him,” Chryst said. “But you knew enough about him and saw enough things that you felt really confident. Not just what he is as a player, but who he is as a person.”
Biadasz impressed at UW's camp. So, too, did current freshman Joe Tippman. The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder from Fort Wayne, Indiana, appears to be a player fans will enjoy down the road.
“He came here to camp and really stuck his face in there and competed,” Bostad said. “Size, strength … and tenacity. That to me is non-negotiable.
“You don't get a poodle to go up against a Doberman.”