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3 Things That Stood Out From Wisconsin Football's Defensive Line Coach
Luke Fickell and his University of Wisconsin football staff were significantly hit with turnover in the winter that included a late departure.
Defensive line coach Greg Scruggs accepted a job at Michigan in mid-February. Fickell found his successor when Wisconsin announced later that month that E.J. Whitlow, who's had success coaching that position group at the Group of Five level, would join the program.
"Obviously, I'm a Midwest guy, right? Big Ten country, right?" Whitlow said. "They care about football here at the University of Wisconsin. And in coach Fickell's culture, I embody that, man. Tough, nasty, disciplined, that's how you play the game of football, right?
"Just hard-nosed guys that don't care when, whenever and want to get after it. So I'm all in on that. I believe in that wholeheartedly."
Here are three things that stood out from Whitlow's news conference Tuesday.
Wisconsin defensive linemen have made some plays in the backfield this spring. Whitlow talked about how those in the position group "win in the trenches" and also discussed how eye control plays a significant role on the line.
Wisconsin welcomed Elijah Hills as one of its 12 transfers this offseason. Hills, who recorded 16.5 tackles for loss at FCS program Albany the last two seasons, has flashed during second-team reps as he adjusts to his new situation.
This is Whitlow's first coaching position at the Power Four level, and spring's been a busy recruiting period for high schoolers and transfers. Former Grand Valley State defensive lineman Jay'viar Suggs was in town for an official visit and watched Tuesday's practice. Wisconsin currently does not have a defensive line commit for its 2025 class.
Photos: Wisconsin football scrimmages during 13th spring practiceWide receiver Bryson Green awaits a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalWide receiver Trech Kekahuna catches a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalWide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson catches a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalWide receiver Quincy Burroughs catches a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalWide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson catches a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalWide receiver Grady O'Neill awaits a throw during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalOffensive lineman Colin Cubberly participates in a drill during Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalOmillio Agard, a 2024 four-star cornerback signee, watches Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalMichael Roeske, a 2025 offensive line commit, watches Wisconsin football's 13th spring practice Saturday on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake KocorowskiWisconsin State JournalTwo San Antonio Natives Make U.S. Women's Flag Football National Team Roster
If you watched the NFL Draft you probably heard flag football being mentioned once or twice.
Turns out it's the fastest growing form of football in the country.
There is even a national flag football team and two players on the women's team are from right here in San Antonio.
Like so many kids who grow up in the state of Texas, Ashely Edwards fell in love with one sports more than any other.
"I've always loved football," said Edwards.
After playing a little in college, Edwards found and started playing in a local co-ed league here in San Antonio.
"I believe about three years ago, I was invited to play in this flag football tourney in Tampa," said Edwards.
What Edwards found when she got there was eye-opening.
"I showed up and was just astonished that there are hundreds of teams," said Edwards.
Miranda Arellano had a similar reaction when she competed at a tournament in Dallas.
"I was astonished," said Arellano. "I didn't know this was a thing first and foremost. There were people from like Florida and California and Chicago, everywhere."
Several years ago, following a game at a tournament, a teammate told Edwards she had just played against Team USA.
"I said, 'There's a US National team for flag football?" Edwards recalled. "To know that something like this existed for the sport that I had always loved, it just really ignited something in me."
Edwards is now entering her second year with the Women's Flag National Team.
"It is the top of the top for our sport," said Edwards. "So the competition is fierce and the talent is phenomenal."
The U.S. National Team won against Mexico in the International Federation of American Football Gold Medal game last year.
"I had seen my teammates Madison and Ashley be able to be on the team last year and I said I want to do that," said Arellano.
Tryouts for the team are held every year.
18 players make the initial roster.
It's Miranda Arellano's first year on the team.
"Everybody is so good in their own way," said Arellano. "Honestly I never expected to be a part of something like this but to be able to play and be with some of the most elite athletes in the world I think it's really really awesome to be a part of."
Games are played on a shorter and narrower field.
Teams play five against five.
And instead of four quarters, games are played in two, 20-minutes halves.
"I always tell people the easiest way to pull a flag is to aim for the hips," said Arellano.
The U.S. Women's Flag National Team will hold a training camp in late May and early June.
12 players will be named to the national team along with six alternates.
"It's a really hungry group and I think we have the opportunity to make something really special," said Edwards.
Both Edwards and Arellano balance careers while also keeping up with intense demands of being on the national team.
"Every single day I get a workout in," said Arellano. "On the physical end I have to make sure I'm on my Ps and Qs."
"It's very much become ingrained as a part of my life," said Edwards. "I have the want and so it doesn't feel like I have to it feels like I get to."
"I love it," said Arellano. "I think this is where I was supposed to be with my lifestyle."
Edwards and Arellano hope the exploding growth of flag football continues into the future.
"The fact that anybody and everybody can have an opportunity to play is pretty amazing," said Arellano.
"I just truly hope this game continues to grow because I really feel like everybody has a space in it," said Edwards.
The U.S. Men's and Women's Flag National Teams will compete in the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Lahti, Finland in August.
Back in October, flag football was announced as an Olympic sports for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
USA, Mexico Pull Bid For 2027 Women's World Cup With Focus On 2031
Laken Litman
College Football & Soccer Analyst
U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation have withdrawn a joint bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, the USSF announced on Monday. And instead, the countries will turn their focus to hosting the tournament in 2031.
This means it's now down to a joint European bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, or Brazil, which would be the first South American country to ever host this tournament. The decision is expected to be made following a vote by the FIFA Congress when it meets in Bangkok, Thailand on May 17.
U.S. Soccer said in a statement that the revised bid will allow both the United States and Mexico to "build on the learnings and success of the 2026 World Cup" and create more opportunities for host cities, partners and media.
"Hosting a World Cup tournament is a huge undertaking – and having additional time to prepare allows us to maximize its impact across the globe," U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. "I'm proud of our commitment to provide equitable experiences for the players, fans and all our stakeholders. Shifting our bid will enable us to host a record-breaking Women's World Cup in 2031 that will help to grow and raise the level of the women's game both here at home as well as across the globe."
The 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was the first time the tournament was hosted across multiple countries. The 2026 men's World Cup — which will be the biggest World Cup in history with a record 48 teams competing — will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
This also gives the U.S. And Mexico a longer runway to promote the tournament, knowing the men's tournament would take place about one year beforehand.
"We are fully committed to organizing a memorable and historic Women's World Cup that the players and fans will benefit from," Ivar Sisniega, President of the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol, said. "After careful analysis we feel that moving our bid back to 2031 will allow us to promote and build up to the most successful Women's World Cup ever.
"The strength and universality of our professional women's leagues, coupled with our experience from organizing the 2026 World Cup, means that we will be able to provide the best infrastructure as well as an enthusiastic fan base that will make all the participating teams feel at home and to put together a World Cup that will contribute to the continued growth of women's football."
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.
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