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Wisconsin football 2025 player preview: Safety Preston Zachman

Wisconsin football 2025 player preview: Safety Preston Zachman

USA Today3 days ago
A few days ago, Pro Football Focus released its highest-graded returning safeties in the Big Ten Conference for the 2025 season. Minnesota's Koi Perich led the way, with Washington's Alex McLaughlin and Ohio State's Caleb Downs just after him. The next highest-ranked safety? Wisconsin veteran Preston Zachman.
Zachman quietly had a great 2024 season, totaling 58 total tackles (39 solo), two interceptions (team-high), and four pass deflections. Zachman will be an integral piece in Wisconsin's defense. More specifically, he'll lead a secondary that will be depleted after the offseason departure of Xavier Lucas and Nyzier Fourqurean's current status.
Zachman has impressed thus far in both spring and summer ball, which could be the start to a hot season for the senior defensive back. Zachman will be one of the few returning Badgers in the secondary, so he will need to act as a leader both on and off the field as the team works to find success defensively.
Players like Austin Brown, Matt Jung, and Matthew Traynor will have an impact and playing time this fall, but it'll be up to Zachman to keep continuity in the key position group.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
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