5 takeaways from Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice: Joe Brunner works at tackle

MADISON – Wisconsin held its final significant scrimmage of the spring Saturday on the grass field north of Camp Randall Stadium.

Coordinators Mike Tressel and Phil Longo met with reporters after the 13th of 15 scheduled practices.

Highlights and comments from the session follow.

Joe Brunner slides outside to tackle on the offensive line

One day after offensive line coach AJ Blazek noted Joe Brunner could move to left tackle from left guard if needed, the graduate of Whitefish Bay High School spent much of the practice manning that position.

Brunner took over for projected starter Jack Nelson, who was in uniform but was mostly a spectator.

When Brunner was at tackle, reserve JP Benzschawel took over at left guard on the No. 1 line. Benzschawel also got work at left tackle, with Brunner at left guard. Freshman Kevin Heywood, who has been the No. 2 left tackle all spring, got a handful of snaps with the No. 1 unit Saturday.

The most striking thing about watching Brunner get extensive work at left tackle was that the 6-foot-5, 313-pounder looked comfortable. Brunner did play tackle at Whitefish Bay, but he lined up on the right side of the line.

Max Lofy continues to impress at nickel cornerback

Tressel noted earlier in the spring that he liked what he saw from safety Austin Brown (6-1 and 212) at nickel cornerback in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Tressel believes Brown’s size and strength will be assets in Big Ten play.

However, the development of Max Lofy at that position is worth watching.

Lofy is quicker and faster than Brown, which helps him stay with elusive slot receivers like Will Pauling and Trech Kekahuna. Lofy, 5-11 and 187, is also physical enough to play that position.

“He is a strong dude,” Tressel said. “That is one of those things I didn’t know anything about until we saw it.”

Tyler Van Dyke looking more comfortable in his new home

Not surprisingly, Longo was asked if he had chosen the team’s No. 1 quarterback. Not surprisingly, Longo said it was too early to make that call between Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke.

Nevertheless, Longo saluted the progress made by Van Dyke since he transferred to UW from Miami.

“He is much more adept at running our system now than he was when we started,” Longo said. “As intelligent as he was early on, when the bullets start flying and this is full-speed, it is difficult to make decisions under duress. But that has gotten better.”

Longo cited a decision Van Dyke made in the red zone when he read the defensive end and rather than hand the ball off, kept it and strolled around right end for an easy touchdown.

“That takes a different kind of run read,” Longo said. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing there and then pull that on your own and walk in.

“That decision made my day because it is kind of an advanced deal. He got us a touchdown.”

Jackson McGohan adds an intriguing dimension at tight end

Will the tight ends play a significant role in UW’s offense in 2024?

That remains to be determined.

It appears that Tucker Ashcraft, Riley Nowakowski and Jackson McGohan, a transfer from LSU, will be the top three options.

Ashcraft is probably the most complete player in the group. Nowakowski is terrific blocking at the line of scrimmage and on short to medium routes, though he had an acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone Saturday.

McGohan, 6-3 and 225, looks more like a wide receiver than tight end and has the ability to get open down the seams for big plays.

Blocking near the line of scrimmage isn't a strength yet but his receiving skills could pose issues for defenses.

Tailback Tawee Walker should get plenty of carries

Barring injury, UW’s most experienced tailbacks next season will be Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker, who transferred from Oklahoma.

Walker has appeared comfortable and dynamic from the first week of spring ball. He showed Saturday his ability to find the end zone.

Walker and outside linebacker Jon Pius met at about the 1-yard line. Pius, 6-4 and 244, wrapped his arms around Walker but the 5-9, 222-pound tailback powered into the end zone.

Mellusi and Walker should provide UW with a solid, experienced tandem. As spring has progressed, Cade Yacamelli has been the third back in the rotation, ahead of Jackson Acker.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin left guard Joe Brunner gets plenty of work at left tackle