Mike Tressel talks about QB Darryl Peterson

Perhaps no one has reacted more to the increased competition this spring than Darryl Peterson.

Coach Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin football program welcomed two new players to the outside linebacker room this offseason, John Pius (William & Mary) and Leon Lowry Jr. (Syracuse). . Their presence has been felt this spring by adding more pressure to the backfield, but Peterson has been a consistent nuisance for the offensive line through 13 practices.

Peterson, a redshirt junior, finished Saturday's scrimmage with at least two sacks against the first-team line.

“I saw him make some plays today,” defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said. “I think we've introduced quite a bit of competition into this room, and he's a very competitive guy. So he's had to step up his game even more. And as long as that culture is right. , and every time we do that, we all just get better. So it was really great to see him today and all this spring, because he's making great strides, which is really difficult later in his career. So I.”

Here are three takeaways from Tressel after the University of Wisconsin practice.

5 things that stood out from Wisconsin football's offensive coordinator after the scrimmage

Several defensive linemen have made great strides, and others are seeing progress as well.

One position group where there were questions about depth was on the defensive line, a unit that also had a new assistant in EJ Whitlow.

Tressel talked about four defensive linemen who have particularly improved.

University of Wisconsin football defensive coordinator Mike Tressel talks about who has made “big strides” on the defensive line.

Tressel sets high standards for sophomore linebackers.

Inside linebacker Christian Alligro did not redshirt in his first season at Wisconsin, appearing in all 13 games and becoming a more prominent presence on defense toward the end of the season. Alliegro acquired a first-team representative this spring.

University of Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel talked about the expectations his staff had for sophomore inside linebacker Christian Alligro.

Tressel shared his thoughts on the two quarterbacks.

No one can evaluate a quarterback better than a coordinator whose defense has been in a nauseating predicament since late March.

Braedin Lock and Tyler Van Dyke have each been first-team varsity players this spring, and Tressel likened the competition to that in the outside linebacker room.

University of Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel talks about what he's seen from quarterbacks Braedin Lock and Tyler Van Dyke.