Wisconsin Badgers Defensive End Changes Positions in Fall Camp

The Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff has decided to move freshman defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr. to outside linebacker, where the former four-star recruit has begun working with Matt Mitchell in fall camp.

Willor, who was highly regarded as part of the 2024 recruiting class, initially joined the Badgers as a defensive lineman. However, with a deeper-than-expected interior defensive line, the coaching staff saw an opening for Willor to earn more reps at outside linebacker.

"I think the primary driver [for the move] is we've been able to recruit and develop some depth at interior defensive line," Mitchell told reporters . "It felt like there were more opportunities at the beginning of fall camp at outside linebacker. I think it also fits his size and skill set too. ... I'm force-feeding him a ton of reps and trying to look for those options of where he could have opportunities."

At 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, Willor brings a unique combination of size, strength, and raw athleticism to his new role. Although he has only been playing the position for a handful of practices, coach Mitchell has already noticed some promising signs from the young pass-rusher.

"He's got violent hands, plays hard, got a good get-off. There's definitely a lot of tools there. I think he's loving the position," coach Mitchell added.

The transition is still in its early stages, but the Badgers position coach is cautiously optimistic about Willor's transition to the outside linebacker role. With his impressive physical attributes and expanded opportunity, Willor has a better chance to push for situational snaps in 2024 than he did on the DL.

Unfortunately, Thomas Heiberger is out with an undisclosed injury , which has opened the door for Anelu Lafaele to start working with the second-team defense . Aaron Witt will return at some point and is expected to be among the top four options at outside backer alongside Darryl Peterson, Leon Lowery, and John Pius. That said, Mitchell expressed wanting to figure out who "five and six" were during camp.

Considering that no other healthy scholarship players are in the position group, Willor will have a legitimate opportunity to prove himself as a top-six option. While the move is still in its developmental stages, the Badgers are hopeful that it could pay dividends in both the short and long term.

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