Garrett Groshek willing to do whatever it takes to help Badgers prevail
MADISON – No member of the Wisconsin football team knows Garrett Groshek as well as Tyler Biadasz.
Both are redshirt sophomores.
Both played for Amherst High School.
Both were key members of the team that won the 2015 WIAA Division 5 state title after falling in the ’14 title game and in the ’13 semifinals.
So Biadasz, who started all 14 games at center last season, isn’t surprised to see his former high school teammate find a niche at UW.
“He is just a football player,” Biadasz said.
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Groshek, who played outside linebacker, safety and quarterback at Amherst, served as UW’s scout-team quarterback in 2016.
Moved to tailback before camp last year, Groshek surprised by averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He finished with 297 yards on 61 carries, the third-highest mark on the team in both categories.
Groshek lined up as a Wildcat quarterback, caught four passes for 30 yards, completed his lone pass for 9 yards and recorded three tackles on special teams.
Some UW coaches believe Groshek, recently awarded a scholarship, could have played linebacker if needed.
“He is always willing to step up and learn more,” Biadasz said. “His motto is the more he learns, the more he gets on the field.
“He is a guy who has always busted his butt out there. We really appreciate him.”
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Redshirt sophomore Dontye Carriere-Williams opened camp as the most experienced cornerback on the UW roster.
As UW’s No. 3 cornerback last season, Carriere-Williams started five games and played in all 14.
Yet with the bulk of camp over and the Aug. 31 season opener approaching, Carriere-Williams is spending time with the No. 2 defense.
Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has been mixing his cornerback pairings throughout camp and the starting jobs haven't been set. Yet Leonhard made it clear recently Carriere-Williams’ play has been uneven.
“The highs are high,” he said. “It is just consistency and effort in practice… I like some of the things he has done but I just want to see more. That is the entire group, really.
“There’s a lot of really good reps on tape. Just trying to find out who is going to play the most consistent.”
Analyst loves UW
Add FOX college football analyst Matt Leinart to the list of observers who believe UW can qualify for the College Football Playoff.
Leinart, who won the 2004 Heisman Trophy while at USC, made his comments on BTN’s Take Ten podcast.
“Wisconsin is a sleeper for me to get to the playoff this year,” Leinart said. “I think they are going to be that good.
“(Alex Hornibrook) is a guy that I’m tough on because I really think he’s got a lot of talent. I really think Wisconsin, with (Jonathan) Taylor and their line, and defensively they’ll be fine…
“We do our preseason show, and I’m probably going to pick Wisconsin to get into the College Football Playoff. I just believe this could be their year.”