Hunter Wohler was the Wisconsin Badgers team captain last season but he’s gone now to the NFL after getting drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Who’s going to inherit this role? Luke Fickell says no one.
Hunter Wohler
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin defensive back Hunter Wohler (DB55) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
There are only a few days left before the start of the 2025 season but Badgers still don’t have a captain who is basically the coach’s extension on the field. This is not because they still don’t have one deserving of that title.
The move to not name one is by design according to Fickell.
“We feel like you got a leadership group. This is a group led of more than just specifically saying who’s going to put a C on their chest,” the head coach said during Monday press conference.
Wisconsin Badgers, Mike Tressel, Luke Fickell
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, left, talks with head coach Luke Fickell during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.
“There’s a lot of things for me in particular. By the end of the year, I would definitely say that at the end of the year, you would say, Hey, these are guys that represented us throughout the entire year in the way that we would expect.”
Players showed leadership per Luke Fickell
Although Fickell is not naming anyone specific as their captain, there are players he believes showed the quality to be called the leader of the team. One of them is quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. who go out of his way to build relationship with his teammates even if he is among the newest one in the squad.
There are also players who make it a mission to do better in leadership as one of the older ones in the roster.
Linebacker Christian Alliegro wants to be the guy who can right the ship when things go wrong. Fickell is pushing him to embrace that role.
Christian Alliegro, Wisconsin Badgers football
Sep 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro (28) celebrates with linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the fourth quarter against the South Dakota Coyotes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
“I think the most important aspect of a guy, interior linebacker, Mike or Will — those guys inside the middle have got to be able to run everything,” Fickell told Badgers Notes in June.
“His ability to take the next step and run the show out there is really important. The guy in the middle has to be vocal, impose some leadership, and take those rein ’cause that’s not easy.”
Badgers’ first game of 2025 will be against the Miami RedHawks this week.
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