Renfro, who could be UW’s best center, sidelined by another injury
MADISON – When center Jake Renfro transferred to Wisconsin from Cincinnati, the expectation was that Renfro would man the No. 1 offensive line.
Although he missed last season because of a knee injury, Renfro was an allconference performer on the Cincinnati team that reached the College Football Playoff in 2021.
However, Renfro missed most of spring ball because of a stress fracture in his left leg and was slow to come back this summer.
Renfro had been working with the No. 2 line for most of preseason camp, but he is out again because of a sprained right foot.
Head coach Luke Fickell isn’t optimistic he will be ready in time for the Sept. 2 opener against Buffalo.
“We’re hoping it is three (or) four weeks,” Fickell said after practice Saturday. “We don’t know exactly. I don’t know that we’d get him back for Game 1. Will we get him back (for) Game 2 or Game 3? I hope. But we’ll see.”
Will Renfro be able to get healthy enough to man the No. 1 line at some point this season? Fickell didn’t sound certain.
“I think more than anything based on how it goes,” he said, “that his body has a heck of a lot more time to heal if he doesn’t end up making back into the rotation or even being a (starter). I think we’ve got some combinations that we can (use).
“I think the challenge is trying to find the five that fit the best because those guys are like a glove. They’ve got to be in unison.”
UW’s No. 1 offensive line Saturday: Jack Nelson at left tackle, Joe Huber at left guard, Tanor Bortolini at center, Michael Furtney at right guard and Riley Mahlman at right tackle.
The No. 2 line for most of Saturday: Nolan Rucci at left tackle, Joe Brunner at left guard, Dylan Barrett at center, JP Benzschawel at right guard and Trey Wedig at right tackle.
Huber can play center or guard and perhaps tackle if needed. Wedig has also gotten work at right guard in camp.
“The great thing is we’ve got some guys that can roll through there,” Fickell said. “I don’t know you can walk out saying this is the (top) five. It is more like six, seven. And I’m OK with that.”
Here are other observations/highlights from Saturday:
Badgers’ depth at tight end continues to dwindle
By the end of practice Saturday, tight ends coach Nate Letton had just four players available at his position.
Riley Nowakowski, expected to be part of the regular rotation, is out indefinitely.
He was wearing a boot on his left foot and using a scooter to keep the foot elevated.
“We’re hoping maybe four weeks, five weeks,” Fickell said. “We don’t know.”
Jack Pugh, also projected to be a key contributor, did not participate Saturday. According to the staff, he continues to deal with a personal matter.
“He’s around,” Fickell said. “Hopefully he can be back with us soon.”
The four healthy tight ends were Hayden Rucci, freshman Tucker Ashcraft, Cole Dakovich and redshirt freshman JT Seagreaves.
Walk-on Angel Toombs appeared to suffer an injury during a one-on-one blocking drill in the opening minutes of practice and did not return.
“We’ve got some young guys that are getting a lot of work,” Fickell said, “so by the time they’re in Week 3, 4 or 5 they’re not young guys.”
Fickell mentioned two players who could be switched to tight end if needed -running back Jackson Acker and wide receiver Chris Brooks.
Acker, 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, played fullback last season and can run, catch and block.
Brooks, 6-2 and 225, who missed time last spring after suffering a leg injury, has not been among the top six wide receivers in camp.
“We feel like we’ve got some pieces that we can move around a little bit,” Fickell said. “But we also like what those guys have done at the tight end position.”
Will Pauling back at practice; Bryson Green gets work on Wisconsin’s No. 1 wide receiver unit
Will Pauling, who suffered a right leg/ knee injury on Aug. 10 while fielding a punt, was back as the No. 1 slot receiver Saturday.
In addition to the return of Pauling, Bryson Green split time on the No. 1 unit with CJ Williams.
The top three receivers for the most part were Chimere Dike, Pauling and Green.
The second trio for the most part was Quincy Burroughs, Williams and and Skyler Bell.
Keontez Lewis had been working on the No. 2 unit but Saturday was limited to working on the side with the trainers.
Competition for spots on special teams becoming clearer
Atticus Bertrams and Gavin Meyers handled the punting Saturday. Jack Van Dyke, who had been in the mix when camp opened, is expected to focus on kickoffs.
Nathanial Vakos made both of his field-goal attempts Saturday. The transfer from Ohio was good from 31 yards on the left hash and from 41 yards between the hashes.