Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - April 10, 2014

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40 // VARSITY April 10, 2014 linebacker and, in some packages, you're going to see him move back and be a safety. He needs to stay on the field all the time." Another early enrollee, Austin Hudson, a freshman safety from Tampa, Fla., has made a good first im- pression. "Austin has surprised me by the way he has handled it mentally," Andersen said. "He got 60 of the 73 reps in the last scrimmage. There's nothing better than playing football to learn." The re-emergence of Devin Gaulden, who has bat- tled injuries throughout his UW career, has helped solidify the secondary at cornerback in combination with Shelton and Hilary. Shelton won a starting as- signment as a true freshman and didn't disappoint with a team-high four interceptions. At inside linebacker, Derek Landisch has devel- oped into one of the team leaders while the Brothers Trotter ― Marcus and Michael ― are making prog- ress at the Mac and Rover positions, respectively. "We need those three kids to grow and blossom," Ander- sen said. Make that four kids. Freshman Leon Jacobs has moved inside from outside linebacker. "Is it Leon who comes in and is the fourth linebacker?" Ander- sen said. "As a whole, the linebacking corps needs to replace 44 (Chris Borland). A single person? Not so fast. We know that's not going to happen." Jacobs will definitely be used in some defensive sub-packages. "He'll be a guy involved in pass rush," said Andersen. "You're going to get Vince Biegel, you're going to get Jesse Hayes and you're going to get Leon and Joe Schobert. That's some nice speed rushing the passer." On the Biegel and Hayes tag team, Andersen said, "Athletically, they have it all. There's still a learning curve but those two kids are talented and they care. They're going to be a big part of how good we are next year at the B position (Boundary linebacker)." Schobert is holding down the other outside line- backer spot, the F or Field, after getting some early reps inside during spring ball. "Joe is so vital right now," Andersen said. "In a heartbeat, he could go in and, in one week, he could play Mac 'backer or Rover 'backer. He's a good leader." On the line of scrimmage, Chikwe Obasih, a fresh- man redshirt, has caught Andersen's eye. "His abil- ity to make plays has really blossomed, I love where Chikwe is," he said, adding that he's also anxious to see what incoming freshman Jeremy Patterson will bring to the D-line in the fall. Andersen on Jacobs: "As a whole, the linebacking corps needs to replace 44 (Chris Borland). He'll be a guy involved in pass rush." On Caputo: "He's such a wild card for us. He needs to stay on the field all the time."

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