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Dan Voltz’s retirement from football could leave a major void in leadership along the offensive line for the University of Wisconsin this season.

Voltz announced his decision to walk away from the game Tuesday, and he noted that redshirt sophomore Michael Deiter may be the person who needs to change his mentality now that Voltz won’t take any more on-field reps.

“He’s taken over the center role, and he’s growing into being one of the most experienced guys, one of our best players,” Voltz said. “That next step is to be that leader, be that consistent player, where guys can rally around him and be vocal and stuff like that. For him, that’s kind of the next step that I see him taking.

“It’s something I was planning on doing this year, being the leader of that group, but while I still plan on being a leader of this team, I’m not going to be out there during practice, during games, so somebody’s got to step up and become that vocal leader, and I think he can definitely do that.”

Deiter excelled when moving to center from left guard last season after Voltz suffered a season-ending knee injury against Illinois on Oct. 24.