Jeff Potrykus

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – Paul Chryst’s message to the players as they began preparing for the 2019 season was unambiguous.

The 2018 season wasn’t good enough and the coaches and players have to be better.

“We all have to own what we’ve done,” Chryst explained to reporters on Monday, one day before the opening of spring practice. “A lot of us have done some good. And a lot of us have things that we can learn from that we can do better.

“Last year happened and there are lessons to be learned. But this year is not going to be a punishment or a reward for what you did before. It’s a clean start.

“Offense, defense, special teams – there is not a position that can’t and doesn’t need to get better.”

UW expected to challenge for a third consecutive Big Ten West Division title but instead finished three games behind Northwestern at 5-4, tied for second with Purdue and Iowa. A victory over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl allowed UW to cap a disappointing season at 8-5.

The departure of quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who plans to transfer to Florida State after graduating in May, and several seniors on both offense and defense will bring change next season.

To no one’s surprise, Chryst downplayed any talk of a quarterback battle or a depth chart in the spring.

"There aren't depth charts in the spring," he said.

Jack Coan, who started four games last season, leads the list of contenders. The others are Danny Vanden Boom, Chase Wolf and Graham Mertz, one of three freshmen participating in spring ball.

“That is what is good about this time of the year,” Chryst said. “They all get a chance to work and improve. I’m not worried about who is starting right now. I’m worried about how can we help each guy get better.

“If you’re trying to see who is going to be the starter out of spring, then you better give them more snaps early because you’ve got to narrow it all down quicker. And we don’t have to do that right now.

“I think you have to give everyone a lot of work.”

Several players will be held out of spring workouts to recover from injuries or surgery and some others will be limited.

Center Tyler Biadasz and offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen won’t participate at all.

Defensive end Garrett Rand, who missed last season after suffering an Achilles’ injury in June, will be limited. So, too, will be running back Bradrick Shaw, who has been out since suffering a knee injury in the 2017 regular-season finale.

“I really don’t know what his pitch count will be,” Chryst said of Rand. “Hopefully he can get some stuff done this spring.”

According to Chryst, Kayden Lyles and Jason Erdmann will get the bulk of the work at center with Biadasz out.

“You want to get at least three ready to play,” Chryst said.

Several players have switched positions. That group includes Griffin Grady, to outside linebacker from inside linebacker; Seth Currens, to inside linebacker from safety; and Isaac Guerendo, to running back from wide receiver.

"We just finished up our winter conditioning and thought we did a lot of good things there," Chryst said. "It is important to keep in mind that this is an important opportunity and a great opportunity to get better."