1 intriguing storyline from each Wisconsin football position group after 7 spring practices

Let's dive into every unit to see what's stood out as the Badgers near the halfway point of spring ball.

Offseason questions surrounding the University of Wisconsin football program won’t be answered after seven spring practices.

But certain players have emerged through the first half of spring ball who’ll be worth monitoring through the rest of this month and into the fall.

Wisconsin will conduct its eighth of 15 allotted practices Tuesday as a critical offseason marches on for coach Luke Fickell and his staff. There’s still plenty of time for players to step up, and storylines to develop, but certain trends have begun to take shape over the last few weeks that are worth discussing.

Badger Observer has compiled a list of one theme that’s stood out from each offensive and defensive position group since March 19.

Quarterback: The reps of freshman Ryan Hopkins

This could have gone to a growing steadiness in Deuce Adams, who’s been receiving a significant chunk of second-team reps on offense. Adams has shown an ability to air it out with some success with the 2s during the first seven practices, including hitting wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. for a 30-ish yard gain during a skeleton period Saturday. He may not be the most mobile of the four quarterbacks receiving reps, but he’s shown he can take off with the rock.

But Hopkins’ emergence during the first half of spring ball in receiving second-team reps has been noticeable at the very least. His physical traits – the arm talent and the sprinter speed – make him ideal for Jeff Grimes’ offense. And remember too, Wisconsin offered him when Phil Longo was still offensive coordinator in fall 2024.

Hopkins hasn’t been perfect and has looked like a freshman, as he should. Some throws have been behind his receiving targets, such as Saturday where cornerback Jai’mier Scott broke up a pass intended for transfer receiver Malachi Coleman. Or an off-target deep throw Tuesday that Cai Bates easily intercepted.

There have also been plenty of snaps where you see Hopkins’ potential.