“He doesn’t have a full offseason (to get up to speed), but I almost guarantee that he knows that, too, and he’ll probably work that much harder to be on top of his stuff,” Tolzien said.

What’s the biggest challenge for Wilson: Absorbing the playbook or bonding with his new teammates?

“I couldn’t say one’s more important than the other,” Tolzien said. “They’re two pieces of the puzzle that will be important.”

The atmosphere under Bielema, entering his sixth season as coach, should help that process, according to Tolzien.

“The program here is made up of good people first and foremost and that usually eases the transition,” he said.

Tolzien is a big part of that equation. Who better to help bring Wilson up to speed than a guy who can appreciate what he’s trying to do?

In the process of making the decision to choose UW over defending national champion Auburn, Wilson has impressed most observers with his polite, humble, well-spoken presence. That doesn’t mean the equation is immune to jealousy, but Tolzien isn’t worried.

“The people make the Wisconsin program,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s a team sport. The best thing we’ve got going here at Wisconsin is we have team players. I don’t think it’s an issue.”