Five true freshmen to play? 

By TOM LEA
tlea@espnwisconsin.com

MADISON – Acknowledging which true freshmen are capable enough to play during their first season on campus is essentially responsible for morphing your mind into a turnstile if you’re a head coach.

One day it looks like this player is ready to contribute, the next it’s that player. The only constant circling that thought process is the continual movement and constant changing of the mind.

Monday’s edition of ‘Which freshmen will play’ featured Bret Bielema describing the young players ready to contribute, this time at his weekly press conference in the underbelly of Camp Randall Stadium.

Reggie Mitchell, a cornerback, will travel with the team when it hits the road, beginning next week with the trip to Oregon State. He moved up the depth chart once sophomore Peniel Jean suffered a broken foot.

Vince Biegel has received plenty of mention from Bielema throughout camp, but he’s still in a walking boot while recovering from a foot injury suffered earlier this camp.

Bielema didn’t give up hope on his potential as a freshman.

“(We) don’t know exactly where he’s going to go,” Bielema said. “(We’ll) take these next couple of weeks, process where he’s at and have the potential of talking about future playing time if he heals up quicker than expected.”

Bielema also mentioned Joe Schobert as a player that will receive considerable thought in regard to playing time as a true freshman.

“He’s actually playing safety for us right now,” Bielema said. “But we’re plugging him at linebacker. Defensive backs coaches want him to stay at defensive back. The linebacker coach wants him to move to linebacker.

“You have a head coach that just wants him to play. He’s involved in all special teams and just very, very impressed with how that young man handles everything that’s being thrown at him.”

Offensively, Reggie Love is in the two deep at wide receiver. He will also contribute on each special teams unit as well. Lineman Dan Voltz is schedule to play in 2012, mostly on special teams units unless injuries become an issue up front.

“He’ll be involved in some special teams plays,” Bielema said, likely talking about field goal and potentially punt coverage. “(We’ll) see exactly where he’s at. Hopefully we’ll get him some reps this Saturday.”