MADISON – Wisconsin fullbacks Mason Stokke and John Chenal face a difficult task in 2019:

Replacing the productivity of Alec Ingold, who signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent and has been a pleasant surprise so far in camp.

“I think they can truly (play) a significant role,” UW coach Paul Chryst said.

Stokke, 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, is a redshirt junior from Menomonie High School. He made a smooth transition to fullback last season after being switched from linebacker.

Stokke played in nine games, on offense and special teams. He carried four times for 13 yards but more importantly showed promise as a blocker.

“Mason is a guy we always were excited about but had some unfortunate injuries,” Chryst said. “He has been healthy.

“We switched last year so he is still kind of learning the position and yet there is no question about his toughness and his ability.”

Chenal, 6-2 and 252, is a sophomore from Grantsburg. He played in eight games last season, mostly on special teams.

“There is a lot for those two to learn,” Chryst said.

Ingold started 11 games and played in 51 overall at UW. He rushed 103 times for 343 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging a touchdown once every 6.1 carries. He added 14 receptions for 185 yards, an average of 13.2 yards per catch, and four touchdowns.

Ingold scored 21 touchdowns on 117 touches, an average of one score every 5.6 touches.

It remains to be seen whether Stokke or Chenal can provide the productivity and versatility of Ingold.

“We’re going to need everyone,” Chryst said, “and those two are a big part of it.

"What can they do and how can we use them in the offense?"

Tight end depth a concern

UW’s offensive coaches knew they had to develop depth at tight end behind starter Jake Ferguson. That could prove to be problematic because of health issues.

Ferguson and Luke Benzschawel were the top two tight ends available Thursday.

Gabe Lloyd, a redshirt junior, is out indefinitely. He was scheduled to undergo surgery on his right leg on Thursday. Coy Wanner, a redshirt sophomore, is recovering from a left leg injury suffered late in spring practice.

As a result, the staff began experimenting Thursday by moving inside linebacker Seth Currens to tight end.

Currens, who started out as a safety at UW, was versatile athlete at Pickerington (Ohio) High School Central. He played on offense and defense and as a senior recorded 669 passing yards, 254 receiving yards and 250 rushing yards.

Extra points

Loyal Crawford, a 6-0 and 190-pound tailback from Eau Claire Memorial High School, on Thursday gave UW an oral commitment for the 2021 freshman class. UW was the first school to offer Crawford and that offer came on July 23...

Junior wide receiver Danny Davis missed practice because he testified in the trial of former teammate Quintez Cephus. Cephus is charged with second- and third-degree sexual assault for his alleged actions during an incident at his apartment on April 22, 2018. Davis took a photo of one of the complainants but was granted immunity from prosecution after turning his phone over to police. ...

UW opened at No. 17 in the Amway coaches poll Thursday. Six other Big Ten teams were ranked: Ohio State at No. 5, Michigan at No. 7, Penn State at No. 14, Iowa at No. 19, Michigan State at No. 20 and Northwestern at No. 25. ...

Freshman fullback Quan Easterling (right leg) is expected to miss most of camp. “We were excited about him but he got hurt in the summer,” Chryst said.