Byline: Tom Mulhern Wisconsin State Journal
It's not easy to stand out among the University of Wisconsin's talented group of wide receivers.
Especially, it would seem, if you are Brandon Williams, the 5-foot-10 sophomore who looks like a sapling in a forest of sequoias while standing next to some of the Badgers' giant receivers.
UW has seven receivers who are 6-2 or taller, not to mention a former All-American in senior Lee Evans (5-11).
Yet, it has been Williams, who caught 52 passes for 663 yards as a true freshman, who continually stands out in practice.
'I think the wide receivers have practiced well,' UW coach Barry Alvarez said. 'If anyone has jumped out, it's Brandon Williams. He's been exceptional in everything he's done.'
Although listed at 170 pounds, which is the same as a year ago, Alvarez said Williams has actually put on about 20 pounds since last year.
'He's a guy that's really gotten a lot stronger,' Alvarez said. 'He showed a year ago -- he was 20-plus pounds lighter at that time -- that he was a playmaker and wasn't intimidated and could out and do some things. He's taken it to another level.'
Defense plays with fire
Monday was the first day of two-a-days and it was highlighted by a spirited short-yardage scrimmage in the morning practice that featured the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense.
The starting defense seemed especially spirited and was doing a lot of yapping after a big hit by senior linebacker Alex Lewis. That was fine with Alvarez.
'You should have emotions defensively, be high-strung and get after it,' Alvarez said. 'That's the way you expect a defense to play. I thought for the first time scrimmaging short yardage, good against good, I thought we got a lot out of it. I think it'll be a good teaching tape.'
Barrett returns to roots
Junior backup right guard Kalvin Barrett (6-2, 316), who was a standout defensive lineman at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, Calif., got some work at defensive tackle in the short-yardage scrimmage.
'You always like to get another big body inside for short yardage and that type of thing,' Alvarez said. 'We're going to give him a look in there.'
DBs may redshirt
Alvarez said before camp opened that a couple of the freshman defensive backs might have a chance to contribute right away. Although Alvarez said he likes cornerback Roderick Rogers, as well as safeties Johnny White and James Kamoku, it is looking more now like all three might redshirt.
'I think the freshmen have kind of hit a wall with the things we're doing,' Alvarez said. 'We're trying to get more reps to the ones and twos, the guys that are in the depth.'
'I do like all three of them,' Alvarez added. 'I think Johnny White is particularly physical for a defensive back. Roderick (6-2, 185) runs around pretty well and is a big corner. I think they have bright futures. I'm just not sure how far along they are right now.'
Cornerback Tony Moss, who made a good early impression in camp a year ago before suffering a knee injury that caused him to be redshirted and sit out the entire year, is also showing signs of rust.
'Tony's a guy that's a little behind right now, because of missing all of spring,' defensive backs coach Ron Lee said. 'He has athletic ability. It's just him getting enough reps to continue to grow.'
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Brandon Williams
