UW's Tyler Biadasz the center of attention
MADISON - Paul Chryst’s primary goal each spring is to identify players who will be able to contribute in the fall, either as starters or key reserves.
Center Tyler Biadasz, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, showed during the 15 spring sessions he is capable of helping UW win games in 2017.
The 6-foot-3, 307-pounder from Amherst High School got most of his work with the top line throughout the spring. He served as the No. 1 center for the final three practices, including the session Friday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
"I thought Tyler had a really good spring," Chryst said after closing spring ball. "He understood what to do (early) and by the end he trusted it. And when you do that you can finish better. You can focus on technique a little bit more.
"He got a lot of reps and the way he approaches it – it is important to him – so he is going to take advantage of those reps. Tyler is not a guy who has many wasted moments."
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Biadasz drew the praise of Michael Deiter, who has started 16 games at center and 11 at left guard in his first two seasons. Deiter, perhaps the most versatile lineman on the team, moved from center to left tackle this week to fill in for David Edwards, out with a left-ankle injury.
“He is obviously smart enough to play center,” Deiter said of Biadasz. “Mentally he is ready for that. He has handled all that really well. And physically, the changes he has made to his body and his technique since the bowl game have been huge.”
Biadasz was a two-time all-state lineman at Amherst – on defense. The UW staff decided before he arrived on campus to move him to offense and he shined last season on the scout team.
Biadasz improved enough during the season that the coaches pondered using him. They eventually decided to redshirt him.
“He is playing at a really good level physically and mentally,” Deiter said. “I think he is a guy that come fall we’d be able to trust 100% if he had to go in and play.”
Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph was able to use Biadasz and freshman tackle Patrick Kasl extensively this spring because guard Jon Dietzen (ankle) and tackle Jacob Maxwell (shoulder) were held out to recover from their surgeries.
For most of the spring Deiter slid over to left guard to allow Biadasz to work at center with the top unit.
Deiter, 6-6 and 329, showed his versatility by moving out to tackle for the final three practices. He participated in drills only Friday night.
“It allows me to show my athletic ability," Deiter joked when asked about playing tackle.
Playing it safe: Despite the fact the final session was televised by the Big Ten Network, almost all of the players projected to start next season were held out of the live scrimmage.
Safety Natrell Jamerson was the lone projected starter to work on defense.
Chris James and Bradrick Shaw, expected to vie for the starting tailback spot, played sparingly. Kyle Penniston and Zander Neuville, the No. 2 and No. 3 tight ends, respectively, saw extensive action with starter Troy Fumagalli held out.
Extra points: Rafael Gaglianone, who missed the final 11 games last season after suffering a back injury that required surgery, hit 2 of 2 field-goal attempts from 42 yards. He missed left from 35 ....
Wide receiver Quintez Cephus, whose father was shot to death earlier this spring, showed his potential by converting a third-and-down play Friday night. Cephus caught the pass 2 yards short of the marker but fought through three defenders to pick up the first down….
Reserve tailback Sam Brodner suffered an apparent left knee injury during the scrimmage segment.
