Spring Football – Secondary

If there is one position group that is a mixed bag heading into Spring camp it’s the Secondary for Wisconsin.  For the most part the starters are quite experienced, but what’s behind them is a total unknown as they are very young and lacking in game experience.  Wisconsin finds itself having to replace Aaron Henry at Safety and Antonio Fenelus at Cornerback so this group will look a bit different, but could be even more athletic than it was last year.  

Also different is the position coach as former graduate assistant and ex-player Ben Strickland takes over as the Secondary coach.  So Spring will be a great time to see exactly what the group and Strickland are like together and how they improve through the Spring itself.

Safeties: 

As a group this is a very inexperienced set of players as below the assumed starters there is very little in the way of experience and that’s what could make Spring very interesting for this group.

Dezmen Southward and Shelton Johnson should come out of Spring camp with a firm grip on the starting positions, but below them are some intriguing players to watch this Spring.

Dezmen Southward – 6’2″, 200lbs. (RS Jr.)

He saw action in all games last year for the Badgers and got 2 starts in place of an injured Shelton Johnson.  On the season he recorded 30 tackles and had 2 passes defensed.  The Nebraska game was one of the two starts and it was also his best performance to date.  Southward had a career best 7 tackles while also breaking up a pass and forcing a fumble.  

This Spring he has the inside track to take over for Aaron Henry and the biggest question is can he be consistent enough to stay a starter for a full year.  Southward certainly has the size and range to play and proved he could play in the big games with that performance against Nebraska.

Shelton Johnson – 6’0″, 190lbs. (RS Sr.)

Johnson was the starter opposite of Aaron Henry last year and he acquited himself well, playing in 12 games and starting 11 of them.  He had 51 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 8 passed defensed.  After going through a minor injury that kept him out of the Nebraska game Johnson continued to get better in his first year as a full time starter.  His best game came in the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan State.  In that game he recorded 8 tackles, broke up a pass, and had a very important interception. 

Going into 2012 the question is can Johnson step into the leadership position for this group and his communication with the rest of the guys in the backfield should be something to watch for this Spring.  I have no doubt he’ll be a solid player himself and as long as he avoids injury he could be one of the more underrated Safeties in the Big Ten.

Others to watch: Michael Trotter (RS So. – 11 games played in 2011 with 1 tackle); Josh Peprah (RS Jr. – 4 career appearances, 3 of them in 2011 but no stats recorded); Michael Caputo (RS Fr. – DNP in 2011, but was a scout team standout).

Cornerbacks: 

Just like the Safeties we know a ton about the starters and very little about anyone else and that’s a bit of a concern at a position that goes deep just by it’s nature.  So keeping an eye on the Corners in camp wouldn’t be the worst of ideas.

Devin Smith – 5’11”, 180lbs. (RS Sr.)

Devin was supposed to be the rock opposite of Antonio Fenelus last year and he started off the season well, but suffered a season ending leg injury against Oregon State.  He had a good start, recording 7 tackles and 1 pass broken up and he’ll be back this Spring to prove why he was a starter to begin last season.  

Marcus Cromartie – 6’1″, 180lbs. (RS Sr.)

Cromartie was in a battle with Devin Smith to earn the starters role last year and the biggest question mark was could he put all of his physical talent together with the mental side of the game needed to excel at the corner position.  He lost the battle out of camp, but replaced Smith as a starter after his injury during the Oregon State game.  It was a nearly flawless transition as Cromartie was more than capable and by the end of the year had proven he could be a difference maker at the Big Ten level.  He made 41 tackles, had 0.5tfl’s, 3 pass break ups, and 1 fumble recovery.  

He came up huge in big games, recording 6 tackles against the Spartans in the Big Ten Championship and had a fumble recovery, 1 pass break up, and 4 tackles in the first meeting between Wisconsin and MSU.  

Heading into 2012 there aren’t many unknows with Cromartie, but it will be interesting to see how he handles knowing he’ll be in the lead to start out of the gate.  Does he become a dominate force and become a bit more of a ball hawk?

Others to watch: Peniel Jean (RS So. – played all 13 games last season & had 23 tackles, 1tfl, and 2 passes defensed); Devin Gauldin (So. – played in 6 games last year and recorded 3 tackles); Darius Hilary (RS Fr. – Didn’t play last season but is in mix to see playing time this year based on work on scout team)