Figaro a dependable contributor in secondary
East Lansing, Mich. – Wisconsin secondary coach Jim Leonhard was asked to assess the play of cornerback Lubern Figaro against Georgia State.
Leonhard sounded like a proud parent.
“I love the way he went and competed,” Leonhard said as UW continued preparing for the Big Ten opener Saturday at Michigan State. “He has been waiting for that moment for a while now and the biggest thing in talking with him is just go play confident and play fast.
“He has the ability. He has the talent. He has the makeup to be successful.”
That endorsement is something few observers anticipated before the season.
Figaro started seven games at safety as a freshman in 2014 but eventually lost his starting job and played sparingly at cornerback and safety as a sophomore. He played in 11 games and recorded just one tackle in the Holiday Bowl against USC.
Game preview: Wisconsin vs. Michigan State
“To lose your job and then switch positions,” Leonhard said, “trying to regain your confidence at a different position is tough. I think he struggled with that.”
Figaro replaced injured Natrell Jamerson (fibula) as the No. 3 cornerback against Georgia State and got the start because UW opened in its nickel package.
The 6-foot, 182-pound Figaro recorded four tackles and allowed two completions, for a combined 14 yards.
The two completions came in the second quarter, 6 yards on a slant and 8 yards on a hitch.
Figaro played too far off the receiver on the first play but almost broke up the second pass.
“Those will not beat you,” Leonhard said.
His best hit came when Georgia State ran an end-around and Figaro closed hard toward the line of scrimmage and dropped the runner after a 5-yard gain.
“He comes flying off the edge and it is down right there,” Leonhard said. “That was great to see him play with confidence and with energy.”
UW probably won’t use its nickel package as much Saturday. But when the Badgers need an extra cornerback, Figaro will again get the call.
“I give him a lot of credit,” Leonhard said. “It has been a rocky road for him. To see him come out like that I am extremely proud. Hopefully he can do it again.
"I’m excited to see the way he has approached practice. He is hungry. He wants to stay out on that field.”