Wisconsin Football Found an Unexpected Contributor in Spring Camp

Originally posted on Badger Notes | By Dillon Graff | Last updated 5/12/24

Leading up to spring practices, Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell confessed to not knowing much about Badgers cornerback Max Lofy, who missed the entire 2023 season due to an ankle injury.

However, now that Lofy is back in good health, he’s making a case for earning meaningful snaps on defense, especially in the slot.

“He has done a really good job,” Fickell told reporters. “And until this spring, Max had been hurt the entire time I’ve been here from the bowl game the year before. I think maybe practiced one time in fall. In year one, you almost write the guy off, and I got to give him a lot of credit. He has done a really, really good job.”

Max Lofy Gives Wisconsin Football Some Options

Lofy’s resurgence in spring camp caught many by surprise and has now given the Wisconsin football coaches some options in the secondary.

In 2022, Lofy appeared in 12 games for the Badgers, racking up 15 tackles and snagging an interception off Cam Ward. Playing 126 snaps in the slot, Lofy made one start against Washington State and displayed good instincts, playmaking ability, and notable physicality for the spot.

pic.twitter.com/1UeW2BvVCU

— Max Lofy (@Mclofy) February 17, 2023

According to Pro Football Focus, Lofy received a 54.3 defensive grade, which is below average by their metric. He also had a forgettable 99.7 NFL passer rating against, albeit in just 15 targets at cornerback.

“He has come out another one of those guys that’s an older guy that has been really humble,” Fickell said. …”He has done nothing but this entire spring and really the winter other than work, keep his mouth shut. And now he’s out here performing and he’s going to give us a lot of options. I think we’re going to continue, maybe to move him around.”

Austin Brown began the spring as the Wisconsin football team’s starting nickel. Still, Lofy’s emergence could allow the Badgers to move him back to his more natural spot at safety alongside Hunter Wohler or at least be an interchangeable piece to keep opposing offenses guessing. At worst, coach Fickell has two players he can feel good about handling that role.

“He’s got great hands, good ball skills, good feet, he can run, and he’s fast,” Paul Haynes told reporters. “Again, he’s super smart too. I’m super happy that he stuck through it, because I think he’s gonna be great help for us this year.”

The Wisconsin football secondary, boasting talents like Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, RJ Delancy, and several promising young players, will benefit greatly from the added depth Lofy brings as the Badgers enter their second year under defensive coordinator Mike Tressel.

This article first appeared on Badger Notes and was syndicated with permission.

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