Badgers lineup for Week 5 at USC with new starting quarterback

Wisconsin released its updated roster for its Week 5 contest at No. 13 USC on Monday.

Following the team’s Week 3 loss to No. 4 Alabama, several changes were made to the roster. Most notably, Braedyn Locke moves in as the team’s official starting quarterback, while true freshman Mabrey Mettauer steps in as QB2. This situation was known and was largely confirmed by last week’s news that starter Tyler Van Dyke would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Related: Updated ESPN FPI game predictions for Wisconsin football entering Week 5

Otherwise, there are a few minor changes, including at tight end and special teams.

The rest of the roster looks the same on paper. It will be interesting to see if the game day roster stays the same and what changes, if any, are made after the off week. Wisconsin has not played at its level over the past three weeks, highlighted by a 42-10 loss to the Crimson Tide. It will be worth watching what Luke Fickell and his staff do to turn the team’s fortunes around ahead of a challenging conference schedule.

As the Badgers prepare for their Big Ten opener against a strong USC team, here is their full, updated two-team roster:

quarterback

September 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) hands the football to running back Chez Mellusi (1) during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Starter: Braedyn Locke

Security: Mabrey Mettauer (real newcomer)

Run back

August 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (1) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Tawee Walker OR Chez Mellusi

Security: Cade Yacamelli

Wide receiver (1)

Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Fla.; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Bryson Green (9) celebrates a touchdown against the LSU Tigers in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Bryson Green

Security: Chris Brooks Jr.

Wide receiver (2)

Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Fla.; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (86) rushes with the ball during the second half against the LSU Tigers in the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Vinny Anthony OR CJ Williams

Security: Quincy Burroughs

Burroughs returns to the two-man formation after missing several games due to injury, replacing transfer Tyrell Henry, who has yet to catch a pass this season.

Wide Receiver (Slot)

Aug. 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) runs with the football during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Will Pauling

Security: Trech Kekahuna

Close opponent

September 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) gives Georgia Southern Eagles defensive back TJ Smith (5) the stiff arm during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Tucker Ashcraft

Security: Riley Nowakovsky

Neither Ashcraft nor Nowakowski have accomplished much in the passing game – each has caught two passes for 22 yards in three games. Ashcraft was the team’s best pass receiver at the position in 2023 and should expect an increased workload. This could be a move that could help the team gain a little more consistency when throwing the football.

Proper Tackle

Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) blocks Maryland defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote (99) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Riley Mahlman

Security: Kevin Heywood

Legal protection

Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Huber completes a drill during the team’s 14th spring practice held Tuesday morning, April 30, 2024, at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Joe Huber

Security: JP Benzschawel

center

Wisconsin offensive lineman Jake Renfro (57) is seen during the fourth quarter of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 24-17 in overtime. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Starter: Jake Renfro

Security: Kerry Kodanko

Left defense

Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Brunner (56) runs drills with Jake Renfro (57) during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Joe Brunner

Security: James Durand

Left Tackle

Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) runs through a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Jack Nelson

Security: Barrett Nelson

Defence line (1)

November 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Ben Barten (68) sacks Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Ben Barten

Security: Elijah Hills

Defence line (2)

Wisconsin defensive line coach EJ Whitlow talks with Curt Neal during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Curt Neal

Security: Cade McDonald

Full-back (1)

Aug. 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Darryl Peterson

Security: Aaron Witt

Full-back (2)

Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery completes a drill during the team’s 10th spring practice held on a practice field north of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Mark Stewart/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: John Pius OR Leon Lowery

Security: Sebastian Cheeks

Centre-back (1)

Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Fla.; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) reacts after a stop during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Jake Chaney

Security: Tackett Curtis

Centre-back (2)

Wisconsin linebacker Jaheim Thomas (7) stops Western Michigan running back Jaden Nixon (3) just before a first down during the first quarter of their game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Jaheim Thomas

Security: Christian Alliegro

Corner (1)

Defensive back Ricardo Hallman warms up for spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis. Mark Stewart/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Starter: Ricardo Hallman

Security: RJ Delancy OR Jonas Duclona

Corner (2)

Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Fla.; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) runs with the ball toward Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (10) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Nyzier Fourqurean

Security: RJ Delancy OR Xavier Lucas

Cornerback (Nickel)

November 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Max Lofy (12) celebrates after a tackle in the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Max Lofe

Security: Owen Arnett

Strong security

November 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) celebrates after a play in the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Starters: Hunter Wohler

Backup: Austin Brown

Free security

Nov. 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) runs with the ball as Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Preston Zachman (14) and linebacker Jordan Turner (54) chase him during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Starters: Preston Zachman

Backup: Kamo’i Latu

Specialists

Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Fla.; Wisconsin Badgers punter Gavin Meyers (28) holds the ball for Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Kickers: Nathaniel Vakos

Player: Atticus Bertram

Long snapper: Cayson Pfeiffer

Punt Returners: Vinny Anthony

Kick Returner: Vinny Anthony

Anthony is now listed at both returner positions after Trech Kekahuna was previously listed as the starting kick returner.

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topicnews · September 23, 2024