Why Wisconsin Badgers Defender ‘Raised Everyone’s Eyebrow’

According to Jesse Temple with The Athletic, Badgers outside linebacker T.J. Bollers is transitioning into a more physical build this offseason. He added 17 pounds to his frame from last season to get up to 268 pounds. Bollers’ teammate Daryll Petson said the transformation “raised everyone’s eyebrows.” Bollers said he wasn’t sure the added weight would be helpful, as he’s now on the heavier side for an outside linebacker.

However, Bollers said he feels stronger this spring:

“I feel a lot stronger,” Bollers said. “I even feel just as fast as I was while I was still at 250. I feel like this is going to help, especially in some of the packages that we’re in, just to take on these heavier tackles that we have or these heavier tight ends that we have and being able to set the edge well.”

The team should look different

The weight gain should help Bollers to be more physical. Fickell’s staff should know something about how to mold a defense and getting players in shape for that system. His Cincinnati defense was consistently ranked near the top of the seasonal ratings in recent history. According to Football Outsiders, the Bearcats had the second-best defensive FEI ratings in college football for the 2020 season.

Bollers will have a chance to show where he’s at to the fans here shortly. The Wisconsin Badgers spring game will take place on April 22nd. The program should look unrecognizable from last season. That’s the point of bringing in one of the best coaches in the country.