Badgers enter dog days of spring ball

MADISON – The Wisconsin Badgers football team has hit the middle-third of spring camp, and players are starting to separate on the projected fall depth chart.

“Six to nine (practices are) the most difficult time in spring,” head coach Luke Fickell told reporters after Thursday’s workout. “Everybody is banged up. You find out who can push, who can go out there and perform even though they don’t feel great.”

One newcomer that is threatening to supplant an incumbent player is Cincinnati transfer wide receiver Will Pauling. Pauling took first team reps that last year went to Skyler Bell.

“It shows is he has a really high football IQ,” Fickell said of the same player he coached on the Bearcats last season. “Obviously he has got a skill set that I think is good for the things that we’re trying to do at that spot.”

One area of potential concern might be at center. Trying to replace Joe Tippmann, who left school early to enter his name in the NFL Draft.

Thursday, several snaps from both Tanor Bortolini and Joe Huber were off the mark int the shotgun formation, which Wisconsin will primarily operate out of.

“They're seeing probably the most difficult things in working on the snaps,” Fickell said. “We'll get better at it.”

Jake Renfro, another transfer from Cincinnati, could be UW’s primary center once the seasons rolls around, but he will be very limited for the rest of spring ball with a leg injury.

Wisconsin will practice next on Saturday.

Click below to listen to tonight's Camp Confidential Podcast:

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