Why Wisconsin’s Jake Chaney changed his jersey number, other highlights from Big Ten media day

INDIANAPOLIS – Wisconsin players Hunter Wohler, Jake Chaney and Jack Nelson met with reporters at Big Ten football media day Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here are some of the highlights from their 30-minute sessions:

A new number for Jake Chaney

This year Jake Chaney will literally be at the top of your program.

The senior linebacker switched his jersey number. He’ll wear No. 1 this season. He was No. 36 previously.

Chaney wasn’t looking to make a switch but did so at the urging of director of football strength and conditioning Brady Collins. The No. 1 is often worn by a team’s best player. At UW, Chaney will share the number with running back Chez Mellusi.

The change was made easier because Chaney had no sentimental attachment to No. 36.

“I believe anything that man says,” Chaney said of Collins. “He says it’s going to make me play better and I truly believe it is, so we’re making the switch to 1 and hopefully I can make it look good this year.”

College football video game is a hit with Wohler, Chaney but a mystery to Nelson

EA Sports’ reboot of its college football game has been a big hit with college players, most of whom opted to have their name included in the game.

Of the three Badgers on hand Tuesday, Wohler sounded like he has played it the most – “it’s a good time,” he said – followed by Chaney. Nelson hasn’t played it.

“I’m not a video game guy,” he said.

Chaney believes the game will help bring young fans to college football.

“Kids grow up nowadays playing Madden, but NCAA is a whole different feel because that feels closer to the kid,” Chaney said. “That feels attainable. That feels like you can truly get there one day. If you work hard enough, you can get there, right? Madden, you hear all the statistics about the NFL. You’ve got to do the combine. You’ve got to make it in college first. But NCAA felt like you could say one day I’m going to be in there.”

Wohler’s 90 overall rating in the game is second on the team to cornerback Ricardo Hallman.

“It’s cool just because all the guys here (at Big Ten media day) played that game religiously and then for it to go away for so long you wonder if it was ever going to be back,” Wohler said, “and then for it to come back and we get to play in the game and our avatar is in the game is pretty cool. It’s a surreal feeling.”

Whitefish Bay native Joe Brunner poised for breakout season?

Who will be the Badgers’ breakout performer for ’24? Redshirt freshman receiver Trech Kekahuna and linebacker Jaheim Thomas got support. Former Whitefish Bay star Joe Brunner did, too.

Brunner, a redshirt sophomore, worked next to Nelson at left guard during spring practice.

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Nelson praised Brunner’s acumen and practice habits while also noting the edge with which he plays.

“He’s just a mean, mean nasty guy in the best way possible,” Nelson said. “It really comes out on the football field. Playing next to him at tackle is really something I value.”