MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin released its week one depth chart ahead of Friday's season opener against South Florida and to no surprise, junior quarterback Jack Coan is slated to get the start under center.

Coan, who was competing with redshirt freshman Chase Wolf and true freshman Graham Mertz in fall camp, took the majority of the first-team reps from the start of fall camp.

"I feel like the biggest (progression) is situational football," Coan said about his individual progress during spring practice. "Just knowing the down and distance, the time on the clock, where you're at on the field, just constantly playing the game. It helps just getting those reps in practice."

Coan played in five games last season, including four starts in relief of former quarterback Alex Hornibrook, now at Florida State. He completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 515 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions.

In his last two starts, Coan led UW to a road win over Purdue in triple overtime and a blowout victory against Miami (FL) in the 2018 New Era Pinstripe Bowl.

"Thought certainly his last two (starts) were his best games," head coach Paul Chryst said. "I've appreciated how he's gone about it. Experience is great to learn from. I think he's done all the things he can in taking the steps to try and maximize those opportunities to learn on it.

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While Coan only has 11 career appearances under his belt, he'll have plenty of help at the skill positions.

The Badgers return reigning Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor, who's coming off a season in which he ran for 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 2,194 yards led the country last season and Taylor's two-year total of 4,171 rushing yards ranks as the third-highest two-year rushing total by a player in FBS history, trailing only Melvin Gordon (4,196 from 2013-14) and Iowa State's Troy Davis (4,195 from 1995-96).

Wisconsin also returns its top four leading receivers from last season -- senior A.J. Taylor, junior Danny Davis, junior Kendric Pryor, and sophomore Jake Ferguson. Junior wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who posted 501 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just nine games during the 2017 season, has also been reinstated and ruled eligible for the season opener against USF after being acquitted of two sexual assault charges.

"I feel like working with other guys is a big thing," said Coan. "As you get older, you build more chemistry with guys and guys start looking at you more so you become more of a leader, too.

"So I'd say chemistry has been big and just with the offense too. Just getting more and more reps, you get more comfortable."

UW hopes to improve upon a subpar performance in the passing game last season as they ranked No. 114 out of 130 FBS teams in yards per game through the air at 161.2.

The Badgers will open the season on Friday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CST at Raymond James Stadium.