MADISON, Wis. -- Two days before No. 4 Wisconsin opens up the 2018 season and their most experienced cornerback has left the program.

Sophomore Dontye Carriere-Williams announced Wednesday night that he'd been granted a full release and will continue his career elsewhere:

"I would like to thank the University of Wisconsin-Madison for all the great memories and all the great people I've met while attending this university," Carriere-Williams tweeted. "Coming to Madison has been a life changing experience. Being here at this university has made me not only a better football player, but a better man.

"Unfortunately, I will no longer be furthering my career as a Wisconsin Badger. I want to thank my teammates, coach Chryst, and everybody that helped mold me into the person I am today.

"I've been granted a full release and after talking it over with my family, I feel like this was the best decision for my future."

This news comes after a two-game suspension for sophomore wide receiver Danny Davis and junior wide receiver Quintez Cephus facing two separate charges for sexual assault as well as an indefinite team suspension.

The Badgers released their week one depth chart on Sunday. Surprisingly, Carriere-Williams was listed on the second team despite playing in all 14 games, including five starts in 2017.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard spoke about placing Carriere-Williams with the second team defense earlier in fall camp:

"It's just consistency," Leonhard told reporters. "The highs are high, and they’ve been high. It’s just consistency and effort in practice, and just continuing to push that.

"I like some of the things he’s done, but I just want to see more."

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Last season, Carriere-Williams registered 30 tackles (22 solo), six pass breakups and an interception, playing alongside Nick Nelson and Derrick Tindal. As a secondary, the Badgers ranked fifth nationally in passing defense.

“When he competes, he looks like we want him to," Leonhard stated. "We just want it more often.

"He knows what it's like on Saturdays, but that doesn't give him a pass to compete on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and in training camp."

UW named redshirt freshman Faion Hicks and redshirt sophomore Caesar Williams as their starting cornerbacks. Sophomore Madison Cone is also expected to be the No. 3 cornerback in the nickel package. Those three have a combined 11 appearances with zero starts.

The Badgers have a few options to round out their two deep. True freshman Donte Burton and Rachad Wildgoose Jr. or redshirt freshman Deron Harrell, a former wide receiver.

Wisconsin begins the season on Friday against Western Kentucky. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium. ESPN will televise the game.