Wisconsin Badgers Edge Rushers: Cheeks & Clayton Lead

On April 16th, Wisconsin Badgers football just wrapped their best past rush season under

coach Luke Fickle, notching 32 sacks last fall.

Highest in his three years, that marked a big jump from just 17 the year before, fueled

by transfers and vets stepping up big time.

Key players Mason Riger from Louisville and Darryl Peterson combined for 11.5 sacks,

with Riger adding 45 pressures to wreck, plays even without the takedown.

But heading into next season, both have bounced from the program, leaving a massive gap on

the edge.

Outside linebacker's coach Matt Mitchell stays optimistic, calling fifth year senior

Sebastian Cheeks, the top talent in the room.

Cheeks hit three sacks last year, with 27 pressures, positioning him as the front runner

who won't easily lose his spot.

Then there's Nick Clayton, the wild card from Florida.

Mitchell burned his red shirt last season, spotting his raw rush skills.

And now at 245 pounds, up from 198, he's a, said to disrupt more in pass and run games

after minimal snaps before.

With Cheeks leading and Clayton primed to explode, Wisconsin's edge looks promising

despite the losses, setting up an intriguing rotation for a defense aiming to build on

that sacks urge.