The big-play potential of Dilin Jones, edge rushers, other observations from Wisconsin fall camp
PLATTEVILLE – The Wisconsin Badgers football team held its fourth practice of fall camp Aug. 2 at Pioneer Stadium in temperatures that for the second straight day started in the mid-60s and climbed to the low 70s.
Here is what stood out from the 2-hour, 15-minute practice and the interview session afterward with Badgers coach Luke Fickell.
Dilin Jones breaks longest run of day
If what we’ve seen in spring ball and so far in camp is an indication, there won’t be anything fancy about Dillin Jones' big plays. He makes a cut and gets up field.
His run of about 60 yards off the right side behind Davis Heinzen and Cade Yacamelli was the longest rush of the day.
When asked about the redshirt freshman, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell praised his decisiveness as a runner but also continued to call the running back room the team's most competive group.
"You might say, well, he's a little bit of a smaller guy, so can he block? Can he do some of the other things?," Fickell said of Jones. "He's done it all. He brings an incredible energy,”
Veteran Kerry Kodanko makes presence felt
Kodanko, a Green Bay native who's a graduate student, spent spring ball and most of the first week of camp working at right guard. Saturday, he took snaps with the first and second units at center.
The work was a refresher course for the graduate of West De Pere High School. He was the top backup at the position last season. Saturday he gave starter Jake Renfro a break at center and provided another option for the second unit as redshirt freshman Ryan Cory worked on improving the quality of his snaps.
“The value of those fourth and fifth years, especially the big guys, is so critical,” Fickell said. “You might not hear a ton about them. Who knows whether they'll start games or not, but to not have them we'd be in big trouble, Those are the guys that make programs what they are.”
Fickell continued to look at different combinations on the O-line. Redshirt freshman Colin Cubberly worked with the No. 1 unit at right guard. It marked the third straight day a different player manned that spot. Kodanko worked there July 31 and redshirt freshman Emerson Mandell got snaps there July 30.
Mason Reiger, Sebastian Cheeks continue to shine
If there was a newcomer of the week award given for camp, it would go to Mason Reiger, whose ability to consistently get a push up field from his spot at outside linebacker has been noticeable. Saturday, he blocked a field goal and blew up a run by Darrion Dupree that would have resulted in a big hit were the play live.
Sebastian Cheeks, meanwhile, added to his camp sack total and made one of the plays of the day by deflecting an option pitch from Billy Edwards and recovering the ball.
What does it mean after four days of camp? Fickell isn’t making too much of what he sees from that position so far other than he likes the depths exhibited.
“It's not one guy, it's not like they have to get wore out,” he said. “The better thing is up front in particular on the edges right now, there's a lot of guys that are playing a lot of snaps.”
Omillio Agard, young DBs make plays
Omillio Agard, a redshirt freshman, continues to share snaps on the No. 1 defense with senior D’Yoni Hil. Saturday he intercepted a pass that had pick-6 potential.
His play was part of a quality morning for the team’s freshmen corners. Jahmare Washington and Jai’mier Scott intercepted passes during a one-on-one passing drill. Washington also showed his deep coverage skills by knocking away a pass to Kyan Berry-Johnson.
Owen Arnett creates turnovers, negative plays, other tidbits from practice
∙ Arrowhead grad Owen Arnett finished the day with a sack and an interception. To gather the pick, he used his basketball skills to rebound a throw from Danny O’Neil that bounced off a helmet.
∙ Hawaii transfer Dekel Crowdus has a few players to leapfrog in his quest for playing time, but his speed is legit.
∙ Kickers Nathanial Vakos and Gavin Lahm each took four field goal attempts from inside 40 yards. Lahm made each of his attempts. Vakos had his 38-yard attempt blocked by Reiger.
∙ Billy Edwards isn’t going to run for a lot of yards, but he continues to show an elusiveness in the pocket that should by him extra time.
This story was updated to add a photo gallery.