Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel ‘impressed with how many players truly understand the defense now’

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel met with the media after the Badgers training camp practice on Thursday.

One focus of his comments was the difference between this period and this time in 2023, back when he was entering his first season with the program.

An obvious progression between the two is continuity. The experienced defensive coordinator highlighted how he’s ‘impressed with how many of [the Badgers’ players] really truly understand the defense’ compared to this time last year.

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“That’s exciting to see,” Tressel continued. “We are emphasizing, we need a whole bunch of 1Bs, because 2s are the guys that are backups that don’t get on the field on Saturdays. 1Bs are the guys that you absolutely set in a rotation, and you see more of those now than you did at this time last year.”

Tressel’s comments make sense given the full year between his evaluations. A defensive system that was brand-new from Jim Leonhard’s classic 3-4 scheme was only seven months old last year. Now, it’s one year and seven months old. That, and many of Wisconsin’s defensive leaders returned after 2023. Star safety Hunter Wohler, cornerback Ricardo Hallman, linebacker Jake Chaney, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. and others have not only spent more time practicing in the system, but also played it for 13 games last season.

That continuity at the top of the defense is sure to help new transfers and young players adapt to the scheme. Instead of the entire team having to learn a new scheme together, now the majority of the depth chart is already familiar with what is expected.

This year-to-year progression is expected to lead to better results for Wisconsin’s defense.

The Badgers finished 2023 ranked No. 21 in scoring defense with 20.2 points allowed per game and No. 39 in total defense with 344.0 yards allowed per game. The unit was good, but it didn’t reach the program’s typical level of dominance.

With continuity and more talent on the front seven, that dominant form should return in 2024.

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