MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin’s offensive linemen understand what’s expected of a program that prides itself on controlling the trenches.
“A lot of people consider it ‘O-line U,’” right tackle Riley Mahlman said. “The last few years, I think we’ve been good offline. I don’t think we were necessarily great.”
That wasn’t good enough. This helps explain why the Badgers fell to 27-19 over the last four seasons after going 63-19 from 2014-19.
Wisconsin spent spring practice trying to reestablish its superiority at the line of scrimmage while adjusting to its fourth offensive line coach in as many years.
“You grow up playing offensive line, and you look at a school like Wisconsin and think, ‘That’s where I want to be,’” left guard Joe Brunner said. “We have always been dominant. We produce. We developed. As an offensive lineman, that’s what you want to do. This is what you want to be.”
Wisconsin hasn’t dominated as often lately. One problem is the lack of stability.
New offensive line coach AJ Blazek, a former Iowa offensive lineman, arrived from Vanderbilt this year to take over the role that Jack Bicknell Jr. filled in 2023, Bob Bostad in 2022 and Joe Rudolph in 2021.
All this change makes it difficult to settle into a rhythm. Blazek emphasizes the positive by noting how much the players learned from each coach.
“There are things Rudy did well,” Blazek said. “There are things Bo did well. There are things Jack did well. The (players) have a really good toolbox.”
Wisconsin’s offensive line features plenty of experience, although it lacks depth. Brunner is expected to make his first career start in the Aug. 31 opener against Western Michigan, but the other four first-team offensive linemen (left tackle Jack Nelson, center Jake Renfro, right guard Joe Huber and Mahlman) each made one at least 19 starts.
Badgers coach Luke Fickell said the offensive line could be “the group that has made as big a leap as any” this spring.
“I don’t mean this as just one or two guys,” Fickell said. “I just meant as a unit, as a whole.”
Blazek tried to get to know his attackers as quickly as possible.
“He invites us to his office,” Huber said. “Every week he has a sign-up form for meetings, which I’ve never seen from a coach. He just encourages us to come and talk to him as much as we can. You go up and up alone and watch movies, ask questions.
Brunner says these one-on-one sessions in the office helped the forwards appreciate Blazek as if they had worked with him for four years instead of four months. Sometimes he is teaching manners. Other times, he asks players how they are feeling.
“Going out there and learning from him every day allowed me to become not only a better football player, but a better man,” Brunner said.
They believe Blazek’s ability to build relationships quickly will ensure Wisconsin’s offensive linemen don’t suffer from all the recent coaching turnover. Getting a full season of Renfro under center would also help.
Renfro has played in just one game over the past two seasons due to multiple injuries. Renfro returned for Wisconsin’s Reliaquest Bowl loss to LSU and believes he has regained the form he showed in helping Cincinnati reach the College Football Playoff in 2021.
“I think I can be even better than that,” Renfro said.
Wisconsin also expects a lot from Renfro.
“He’s like the glue there is, really,” Blazek said. “He’s a vocal guy. He’s an optimistic guy. He brings some verbal energy and it kind of spreads. Huber won’t say much. Riley won’t say much. The two on the left will bring some gas to the fire and have a little energy when it’s time to play. He’s the guy who brings it all together. I think that will be his role in the room.
“An o-line is like a bunch of superheroes. They all need to have different roles. His will glue everything together.
The Badgers hope the union will help their lineage go from good to great.
“I think we’re definitely working toward that,” Mahlman said. “I think there is a high standard here and we are always looking at that.”
