Wisconsin football: 6 players who have flashed so far in spring ball

MADISON – Beginning Thursday, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell and his assistants have just seven more spring practices to utilize to evaluate the personnel before preseason camp opens in the summer.

Based on the team’s first eight practices of the spring, here is a look at several players who have performed well and should contribute during the 2024 season.

Outside linebackers Leon Lowery Jr. and John Pius will be expected to provide consistent pressure off the edge

Lowery, who transferred from Syracuse, and Pius, who transferred from William & Mary, both possess the size and length the staff covets at the outside positions.

Lowery is 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds. Pius is 6-4 and 244. He has added more than 20 pounds since joining the program.

Both players possess a combination of quickness and strength that should allow them to affect quarterbacks in 2024. Along with Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt, the quartet should provide the staff with flexibility.

Lowery lined up at three positions at Syracuse and focusing on one position at UW has hastened his learning curve. Can Pius, who played at the FCS level and in a less complex defense, adjust quickly to UW’s scheme and the Big Ten?

Inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas, a transfer from Arkansas, should make life miserable for UW foes

Jaheim Thomas played in 29 games for Fickell at Cincinnati. That time led to Thomas transferring to UW after spending the 2023 season at Arkansas.

It is too early to know whether Thomas will be a starter, but the 6-5, 245-pounder will be in the rotation.

He appears stout against the run and likely will be used as a pass-rusher, either off the edge or between the tackles. His explosiveness and intensity have been impressive.

Tailback Tawee Walker, who transferred from Oklahoma, appears to be a steal

Tawee Walker averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season at Oklahoma, his second with the Sooners after starting out at Palomar Junior College in California.

Walker, 5-9 and 222, is quick and explosive. His willingness to punish would-be tacklers has been impressive. He also appears to be a capable receiver.

UW’s running back room, which will include three freshmen, will be crowded. But Walker has shown this spring he should get plenty of work in the fall.

Freshman Kyan Berry-Johnson may have to wait his turn but his talent is obvious

UW’s top two options at slot receiver at Will Pauling and Trech Kekahuna.

Freshman Kyan Berry-Johnson, 5-10 and 178, has the skills to one day join the party. He had more than 2,600 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Bolingbrook High School in Illinois.

What has he shown so far this spring? Berry-Johnson catches the ball cleanly, runs well after the catch and has been able to contort his body to snare balls thrown off the mark.

Max Lofy taking advantage of his opportunity

The coaches moved safety Austin Brown to nickel corner for the bowl game and were encouraged enough that Brown likely will open the season there. But with Kamoi Latu (shoulder) and Preston Zachman (unspecified injury) out indefinitely, Brown has moved back to safety.

That has allowed Max Lofy, who missed all of last season because of an unspecified injury, to take over as the No. 1 nickel corner and he has been solid in that role.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Several football transfers showing promise for Badgers