Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen still hasn't decided on a starting quarterback -- it will be sophomore Joel Stave or sixth-year senior Curt Phillips -- but one starting spot that has been decided is left tackle. And it's a surprise.
Senior Ryan Groy (6 feet 5, 320 pounds) was expected to contend for All-Big Ten honors at tackle, but instead he has been moved back to guard, the position he played last season and likely his best position at the next level. Coaches moved him outside during the spring to replace the departed Ricky Wagner, who was a fifth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in April.
Sophomore Tyler Marz (6-5, 321) will start at left tackle and massive Rob Havenstein (6-8, 327) again will be the right tackle. Marz, whose last name is pronounced "Mare-its," played in nine games as a reserve last season.
Center and right guard still haven't been decided. Redshirt freshman Dan Voltz (6-3, 313) and junior Dallas Lewallen (6-6, 322) are vying at center, while junior Kyle Costigan (6-5, 315) and senior Zac Matthias (6-5, 318) are battling at right guard. Costigan, who started nine games last season, still is recovering from knee surgery, which has hurt his cause.
True freshman Sojourn Shelton (5-9, 172), who enrolled early and went through spring practice, has won a starting job at cornerback. His backup will be true freshman Jakarrie Washington, who arrived on campus this summer, and not sophomore Darius Hillary. The other corner will be junior Peniel Jean. Strong safety Dez Southward is the only returning starter in the secondary. The secondary has time to jell, though, as Wisconsin opens with Massachusetts, then meets FCS program Tennessee Tech in Game 2.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
