Size is what Wisconsin Badgers football is focusing on for this season but all of a sudden, that size get blown as Kevin Heywood suffered an ACL tear and is now confirmed out for the season that hasn’t even started.
Head coach Luke Fickell confirmed the news on Tuesday as the team recently go through their spring practice.
Heywood was supposed to be the replacement for Jack Nelson who is now entering the NFL draft.
He describe the big guy’s injury as difficult and tough.
“That was one that’s going to be really difficult and tough, but it’s also part of the game,” Fickell said.
“We’ve been fortunate up front in the last two seasons to have those guys prepared and be able to last through the season.”
Fickell has no other choice but to dig deeper in the roster and he was two names in mind to replace Heywood in the starting line-up.
“Now we’re going to have to figure out how we’re going to manage some of that and move some other guys around and expect some other guys to step up, whether it’s Leyton Nelson, an Emerson Mandell, guys like that have got to step in.”
Wisconsin Badgers’ and Kevin Heywood’s high hopes dashed
Badgers got a quality quarterback in Billy Edwards Jr. and he needs to be protected. That would have been the job for Heywood.
His injury is especially heartbreaking after all the hardwork he put in and after patiently waiting for his return.
Offensive line coach AJ Blazek thought Heywood showed improvement in the offseason.
“You’ve seen his offseason with Brady [Collins], and from a strength standpoint—his change of direction has gotten better,” he said in an interview with Badger Notes.
“His functional movements are better. Pass pro. He’s redirecting faster. I think that’s the biggest thing. You see his functional movement for the position, and he’s made that a conscious effort all off-season.”
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