Wisconsin’s defensive line plans for the 2024 season suffered a major blow Wednesday when veteran James Thompson Jr. was reportedly out “indefinitely” with an upper-body injury. The defensive line will now rely on two returning veterans and two newcomers who are expected to take on larger roles this season.
Thompson was the team’s most experienced returning defensive lineman, playing more than 400 snaps last season. About 60% of his work was inside and 40% outside, so Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense needs reinforcements at multiple positions.
Depending on how long Thompson is out, Curt Neal (redshirt sophomore) and Ben Barten (redshirt senior) will fill the roles of seasoned veterans after both played nearly 300 snaps last season. Neal is exclusively an interior player, so his role is set. Barten did 28.7% of his work from an end position in 2023, so he could be called upon again this year to show a little more versatility along the line.
Wisconsin will need to look to two transfers from the FCS ranks for expanded roles to add depth at the position. Stephen F. Austin’s Brandon Lane played 44.4% of the snaps inside for the Lumberjacks last season and the other 56.6% at a perimeter position. Albany transfer Elijah Hills played 77% of his snaps inside and will certainly need to do more this season.
Five-year starter Cade McDonald would be the other player on the roster who could play a bigger role. He has only played 235 snaps in his career, but the Badgers will need all the help they can get.
Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and defensive line coach EJ Whitlow like to rotate players up front in different formations, but it looks like they will now have to get creative and line up a combination of Neal, Barten, Lane, Hills and McDonald.
Neal probably has the most established role as nose tackle on defense, while Barten, Lane Hills and perhaps McDonald will compete for the other two positions. The jump from FCS to the Big Ten can be intimidating, but Lane and Hills will have to settle quickly into important roles in 2024.
