Outsiders already have projected Wisconsin's linebackers to be the Big Ten's best group and, with five strong candidates for four starting slots, the optimism is understandable. But the hype hasn't created complacency among the Badgers; if anything, it's driving competition. No matter who ends up getting more, UW's coaches believe the battle for reps will be a boost to the entire group this fall.  |  From Varsity Magazine

MIKE LUCAS Senior Writer Related Content Varsity Magazine

BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst was given a sentence or two — 10 words or less — to describe each of his "core" linebackers: T.J. Watt, Chris Orr, T.J. Edwards, Jack Cichy and Vince Biegel.

What's the first thing that comes to mind with …

Watt. "Talented, and he works," Chryst said.

Orr. "Smart and competitive."

Edwards. "Love seeing his growth. He's a football player."

Cichy. "Really smart, instinctive and finds ways to make plays."

Biegel. "The heartbeat. Competitive."

Chryst had a follow-up comment, a caveat.

"All of them are competitive," he stressed. "But I love Vince's approach."

The same exercise was presented to senior fullback Leon Jacobs, who up until this spring was one of them — a linebacker.

What's the first thing that comes to mind with …

Biegel. "Really energetic. He's crazy. The Stormin' Mormon," Jacobs said.

Cichy. "A lot of energy. Always moving and on the go. Pretty athletic."

Edwards. "Very good ball skills. Always where the ball is and making interceptions."

Orr. "Very instinctive player. Always where the ball is and making tackles."

Watt. "Freak athlete like his brother (J.J.). Has developed a lot."

While playing linebacker, Jacobs admitted that his perspective was much different in that he was competing for playing time with each of them and was focused more on his game than theirs.

"Now you see the progress they've made," he said, "and I appreciate what they're doing more."

"When it gets to be crunch time on the field, you don't want to let down the guy next to you. That's as important as anything, and I definitely see that amongst these guys."

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Biegel, Watt, Cichy, Edwards, Cichy and Orr are at the core of the Wisconsin linebacker corps.

"We have a chance," said assistant coach Tim Tibesar, "to have a real special group at that position."

Tibesar coaches the outside linebackers: Biegel and Watt. Cichy also has played on the edge.

First-year defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has the inside 'backers: Edwards, Orr and Cichy.

"I don't know if we have a personality yet as a whole unit," Tibesar said. "Right now, they certainly have their own personalities and bring their own flair, which is fun to see.

"Each of the guys are a little bit different; they all have their own strengths and weaknesses."

Wilcox didn't want to make a comparison with the linebackers at his previous stop, USC. But, he said, "The way they push each other and push their teammates is exciting and energizing to be around."

That competitiveness has made a favorable first impression on Wilcox.

"Even within their positions it's competitive," he said. "You'll hear Vince and Jack going at it and competing with each other even though they don't play the same spot. But they push each other."

From this standpoint, Tibesar loves watching the linebackers compete.

"Competition," he emphasized, "raises the level of everybody's play.

"It's human nature if you're not getting pushed by somebody — next to you or behind you or in front of you (on the depth chart) — you have the tendency to fall off …

"… unless you're a real special competitive person."

All of these linebackers are, he acknowledged. But they don't take anything for granted.

"If you have someone driving," Tibesar said, "and trying to take your spot, someone who can actually push you, it makes you a better player and make them a better player."

In this case, the chemistry is not only good but important for the success of the unit.

"Any team that I've ever been on that has been successful and won championships has been close off the field," Tibesar said. "When it gets to be crunch time on the field, you don't want to let down the guy next to you. That's as important as anything, and I definitely see that amongst these guys."

So does Chryst.

"They all respect what the other guys brings and they all think they can bring something different," he said.

Orr is a Texan. Edwards is from the Land of Lincoln. Biegel, Cichy and Watt are Cheeseheads.

"They're all different enough," Chryst allowed. "There is some personality there and they also feel confident to be who they are. They all have that mutual respect for each other."

This fall, Edwards and Orr will be living together. They will be joined by backup linebacker Zack Baun and placekicker Rafael Gaglianone, who has roomed with Edwards since their freshman year.

"Chris and I will be with Jack all the time," Edwards promised.

Cichy will be living with linebacker Garrett Dooley, tight end Troy Fumagalli, safety Joe Ferguson and former offensive lineman Matt Miller.

"We love being around each other," continued Edwards, "and helping each other out."

Watt and Edwards are at the forefront of the Breakfast Club.

"After each workout, we grab breakfast together and hang out in the locker room on the couches and have a good time," Watt said of the eggs and sausage tradition among the linebackers.

"We're just trying to have fun together and jell because obviously Joe is gone and we have some new core guys. We know if we're good on and off the field, we're going to be good on Saturdays."

Joe is Joe Schobert, the All-American outside linebacker that has graduated. Watt, who played in specialty packages last year, has taken over for Schobert, who led the team in TFLs and sacks.

"Joe was a fantastic player. But someone has to fill that void and that's me," Watt said. "I'm my own person and trying to play as well or better than Joe.

"That's obviously a tough task."

Watt is not only a converted tight but he's a former high school quarterback from Pewaukee. That was news to one of his UW teammates, Sojourn Shelton, a senior cornerback.

Shelton was even more surprised to learn that Edwards was also a prep QB in Lake Villa, Illinois. In fact, Watt and Edwards were both first-team all-conference quarterbacks before getting to UW.

"Wow, I didn't know that about T.J.," said a startled Shelton. "He played quarterback? That's kind of funny. I'm definitely going to have to talk to him about that. I'm going to laugh at the kid."

Which kid, which T.J.? Edwards? Watt? Who was he talking about?

"I usually don't call Watt, T.J.," Shelton explained. "I call him Mega-Watt or whatever comes to mind in the moment. They're very different players but intricate to this defense.

"T.J. Edwards is the laid-back one. He's in his own little world, doing his thing, calling the defense, making plays. He's the smooth guy.

"T.J. Watt is a total monster. I'm excited to be on the field with him because he's making so many plays. When the season comes around, we'll be unleashing him. He's the secret weapon."

Biegel, Cichy, Edwards, Orr and Watt make up quite a defensive arsenal, he agreed.

"Overall, those five guys are tremendous and amazing and they make this ship roll," Shelton said. "Their personalities are all different but they bring so much to the table for the defense.

"Understanding we have so many playmakers (at linebacker), we can truly be ourselves, trust in the defense, trust in the calls and understand that we're all going to make plays and play with chemistry.

"What can't we do? What can't we accomplish? I'm excited for this season. I'm excited for us."

"What can't we do? What can't we accomplish? I'm excited for this season. I'm excited for us."

•  •  •  •

Among the core linebackers, Biegel is the only senior; a fifth-year senior from Wisconsin Rapids. Because of a foot injury, he redshirted as a freshman.

Last season, Biegel was second to Schobert in TFLs (14) and sacks (8).

"There are definitely ups and downs to the season," Biegel said, "and players have hot streaks and cold streaks. I started off the season cold and finished hot."

In the final home game, he had a career-high 14 tackles against Northwestern. In the regular season finale, he tied for the team high with six tackles at Minnesota, including a couple of TFLs.

"You have to play to your strengths," he said. "That's kind of what I learned."

Biegel got feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board before returning for his fifth year. Their message should have more bearing on his makeup than any slight from all-conference team voters.

"I've been improving my strength and coverage skills," he said. "I also have a better understanding of the defense; what I need to expect and routes that I can anticipate.

"I haven't had an interception in my career and that's a goal for me now."

Takeaways have been a Wilcox emphasis throughout the spring. He has made his point, too.

"That's been one of the biggest focuses," Biegel said, "getting the communication down and getting comfortable with each other — finding out who Coach Wilcox is and him finding out who we are."

Biegel is going through the same discovery process with Watt while learning each other's tendencies. "We're forming our own dynamic duo, if you will," Biegel said.

After two injury plagued seasons, Watt finally got on the field in 2015 and didn't disappoint. On passing downs, he was a wild card — often lining up over the center in a two-point stance.

Recognizing the pitfalls of "thinking too much" on defense, he learned, "Sometimes you just have to let it loose and have the mentality that you're going to make a play."

After taking advantage of his first healthy off-season — at the same position, no less — Watt came into the spring with the goal of "playing my butt off and earning the respect of my teammates."

Along with maturing as a run-stopper and pass-rusher, Watt said, "I'm feeling a lot more comfortable dropping in space (on coverage assignments) and reading the quarterback."

The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Watt, a junior, has warmed to the competitive demands as a starter. "We have a lot of guys who love to compete," he said, "and it's making us better as a team."

Look no further than the inside linebackers — Edwards, Cichy and Orr. "You have three guys who can play ball and you have two spots," Biegel said. "The elevation of their play has been awesome."

As a redshirt freshman, Edwards led the Badgers in tackles with 84, five more than Schobert. He had an auspicious debut with 12 against Alabama in the opener and a high of 16 against Purdue.

"I think last year I was trying to do too much," Edwards surprisingly confided. "I was trying to think about everything that could happen instead of just playing and doing my job.

"This spring, I have a better understanding of what's going on, so I can play freely with no worries. We worked a lot during the off-season on our hands and footwork and it's helping a lot."

Edwards has taken to heart what Wilcox has been preaching. "It's play fast, play free and know what you're doing," he said. "That's the biggest thing Coach Wilcox talks about."

While increasing his speed and improving his agility — falling in line with playing faster — Cichy has also added 10 pounds since last season. At 227, he can be stronger at the point of attack.

"I've been working on taking on blocks and defeating them," said Cichy, a redshirt junior from Somerset, "instead of trying to skirt around them or olé-ing them."

Biegel tagged Cichy with the "Three-Sack Jack" moniker after Cichy burst on to the national scene with a natural sack trick — back-to-back-to-back sacks in the Holiday Bowl win over USC.

Cichy also had two sacks and three TFLs among his 10 tackles against Northwestern. On the practice field or in the meeting room, Cichy has had good models in Edwards and Orr.

"T.J. is very good with defeating blocks and blowing things up," he said. "Chris is very knowledgeable about the game. He has a great football IQ.

"I've tried to take a little bit from both of them and apply it to my game."

Last September, Orr took over for the injured Jacobs and started six consecutive games alongside of Edwards before an injury put him on the sideline. Cichy started the last four games of the regular season.

"I'm not saying I was timid last year," said Orr, who had 14 tackles against Troy, "but I was more into the mindset, 'OK, you're a true freshman, just play your role.'

"This year, it's more so about making big plays. I'm taking more shots when I see them now. I got a lot stronger and a lot quicker (during the off-season). My first step got a lot faster.

"Pass rushing has been my focal point," he said of his spring goals. "I didn't feel it was a weakness. But it was something that I needed to improve on the most.

"You win if you get the quarterback to change his feet or if you get in his face and he brings his eyes down to look at you. You don't have to get a sack if you get him to bring his eyes off his receivers."

Getting the quarterback out of his comfort zone is just part of his job.

"A linebacker," Orr said, "has to be somebody who's going to fight. He doesn't have to be the biggest or fastest. But you can't play linebacker without being smart and having football knowledge. It's a very instinctive position. Sometimes, everything is going to break down and you just have to find the ball.

"That's something within your gut."

"It's a very instinctive position. Sometimes, everything is going to break down and you just have to find the ball. That's something within your gut." "

•  •  •  •

Growing up, Cichy had two posters on his bedroom wall. One was of Tiger Woods. The other was of his father, Steve Cichy, a former defensive back at Notre Dame.

Likewise, Orr had a poster of his dad, Terry Orr, who played nine years in the NFL, eight with the Washington Redskins as a tight end. He also had printout pictures of Earl Campbell and Mike Singletary.

Today, you will find diplomas/college degrees adorning a wall in the Orr home. Terry Orr and his wife, Rita, are accounted for. So are their oldest sons, Terrance, a prep coach; and Zachary.

The latter Orr will be entering his third season as a linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens. Nick Orr, a third-year receiver at TCU, and Chris Orr have their backs to the wall, so to speak.

Watt didn't have any posters in his room. Who needs one when J.J. Watt is your older bro?

Edwards, a huge Chicago Bears fan, had a Brian Urlacher poster.

Biegel, a huge Green Bay Packers fan, had an Urlacher poster, too.

"He was a linebacker and I'm a linebacker at heart," rationalized Biegel, whose dad, Rocky, was a fierce 'backer at BYU. "You've got to be kind of … what's the word I'm looking for …"

Biegel was trying to define a linebacker's mentality.

"In order to be a linebacker," he started over, "you've got to be …"

Stumped again.

"You've got to be a (bleep)," he finally blurted out — filling in the blank with five-letter word.

"You have to know your assignments and alignments," Biegel went on. "Because you're in the thick of things, you're going to be taking on guys who are, at times, 60 and 70 pounds bigger than you.

"So, you have to be ready to put your nose on the ball and take on blocks and not be afraid. You have to be the leader of the defense. You're the heart and soul of the D.

"And we've got guys, inside and outside, who fill that role."

Whether they're the Big Ten's best unit, or one of the best, is really not their concern, not yet.

"It's definitely a pride thing," Watt conceded. "But like Chris has said, 'We're not hanging that on our wall. We're not all happy and cheery about that right now.'

"We're here to work and get better and prove it — at the end of the season."