Bret Bielema and the Badgers are ranked No. 10 in the USA Today coaches’ poll despite losing several key players from last year’s team to the NFL. Credit: Joe Koshollek for the Journal Sentinel

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Madison - Aside from the recruitment of quarterback Russell Wilson, the No. 1 off-season story involving the Wisconsin football program has been the ability of Bret Bielema and the UW staff to adequately replace the talent that left after the 2010 season.

Five UW players were taken in the NFL draft, including first-round picks J.J. Watt and Gabe Carimi. Six other players signed free-agent contracts.

Yet with UW set to open camp Friday afternoon, a review of the roster reveals a deep talent pool.

"We actually have more players rated now by the NFL than we did a year ago," Bielema said. "I was shocked."

Coaches who vote in the USA Today top 25 poll like UW's talent. The Badgers opened at No. 10 in the poll, which was released Thursday morning. That was the highest ranking of the five Big Ten teams in the poll.

According to NFLDraftScout.com, six UW players were rated 38th or better nationally at their respective positions in 2010. That number entering this season is 11, with six players rated in the top 10.

The current players, with their rankings: kicker Philip Welch, No. 2; wide receiver Nick Toon, No. 7; free safety Aaron Henry, No. 7; guard Kevin Zeitler, No. 5; punter Brad Nortman, No. 5; fullback Bradie Ewing, No. 7; Wilson, No. 19; cornerback Antonio Fenelus; No. 27; offensive tackle Josh Oglesby; No. 28; defensive tackle Patrick Butrym, No. 38; defensive end Louis Nzegwu, No. 38.

Last season, five UW players were finalists for national awards. Carimi won the Outland Trophy, quarterback Scott Tolzien won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Watt won the Lott Trophy.

UW enters camp with 10 players named to watch lists for national awards. According to UW officials, that is the highest total in the Big Ten Conference and tied for sixth nationally.

Despite the glut of talent, the staff likely will see intriguing battles at several positions:

Quarterback: Can redshirt sophomore Jon Budmayr, who closed spring as the No. 1 quarterback, hold off Wilson? Given Wilson's edge in experience (36 starts to 0 for Budmayr) it appears Wilson should be able to win the starting job if he picks up the offense quickly and plays close to the level he displayed at North Carolina State. At worst, the competition should drive Budmayr.

Expect the play of the quarterbacks in camp to be analyzed and scrutinized like never before.

Right tackle: Oglesby missed team drills during spring practice while recovering from knee surgery. He likely will be limited in camp, which could open the door for redshirt freshman Rob Havenstein, who was the No. 1 right tackle in the spring.

If Oglesby is healthy and shows line coach Bob Bostad he can keep pass-rushers at bay he should be able to win the starting job.

Defensive end: Replacing Watt will require yeoman work across the entire defensive line. The top three ends are Nzegwu, junior David Gilbert and oft-injured Brendan Kelly, a redshirt junior.

If Kelly can stay healthy, he could surprise and open as the starter. All three need to contribute for UW to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Strong safety: Will Shelton Johnson or Dezmen Southward open with the No. 1 unit next to free safety Aaron Henry?

Johnson and Southward are more athletic than Jay Valai, the 2010 starter. However, they lack Valai's experience. Johnson, a redshirt junior, has one start. Southward, a redshirt sophomore, has none and played just one year of football in high school.

Tailback: Junior Montee Ball and sophomore James White combined to rush for 2,048 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. Ball, who dropped between 15 and 20 pounds since the end of last season and is listed at 210 pounds, looked fabulous in the spring.

White probably won't be able to beat him out for the starting job but both backs will play extensively this season.

The more intriguing battle might be for the No. 3 tailback spot, between redshirt freshman Jeff Lewis and freshman Melvin Gordon.

Lewis, from Brookfield Central High School, impressed the staff with his work on the scout team last season. Gordon, from Kenosha Bradford High School, might be too good to redshirt.

Consider the talent at the tailback spot a microcosm of the overall depth chart. Running backs coach Thomas Hammock should have plenty of options.

"Coach Hammock," Gordon said, "his motto is that he wants everybody to compete. He wants you to come in and (try to) start. He is pushing me so I'm looking to get some playing time. I want to play."