“They’re clicking at the heels of the others,’’ he said.
At defensive tackle, the Badgers are led by No. 95, Patrick Butrym, a 6-4, 285-pound senior from Waukesha Catholic Memorial. Butrym, who has 15 career starts, is the bell cow of this group.
Butrym’s partner has been No. 87 Ethan Hemer, a 6-6, 307-pound sophomore from Medford.
“Hemer will not succumb to any of the competition,’’ Partridge said. “He continues to fight and hold on to that starting job. I’m proud of where he is right now.
“The difference from last season is that he’s 307 and it’s a good 307. He’s playing over bent knees. He’s a tall guy so for him to say low is hard. But he’s doing a much better job of that.’’
The next pair of tackles are No. 96 Beau Allen, a 6-3, 310-pound sophomore from Minnetonka, Minn., and No. 91 Jordan Kohout, a 6-3, 290-pound sophomore from Waupun.
“Over the last week, Beau has risen the level of his game,’’ said Partridge. “Jordan has been a little in and out while dealing with his hamstring. But he took a step in practice the other day.’’
No. 54 Kyle Costigan, a 6-4, 285-pound redshirt freshman from Muskego, and No. 55 Eriks Briedis, a 6-4, 300-pound junior from Miami, are competing to be that fifth tackle in the rotation.
“I’m very excited that we can keep guys fresh,’’ Partridge said of the D-line. “If every guy plays 30 snaps and gives everything they have for those 30 snaps, we can be pretty productive as a group.’’
