Mitch Sherman, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Wisconsin's Tanner McEvoy eyes dual role

MADISON, Wis. -- A conversation about football with Tanner McEvoy here at Camp Randall Stadium starts as pleasant as a spring afternoon on the shores of Lake Mendota.

McEvoy, a 6-foot-6, 222-pound athletic specimen, has journeyed since 2010 from his home in New Jersey to South Carolina, then junior college and to Wisconsin, with stints at positions all over the gridiron.

The array of experiences has bettered McEvoy, who moved this spring for the Badgers to safety and has taken well to his old spot, working immediately with the first-team defense.

McEvoy jokes about his improved tackling.

"You don’t really have a choice," he said. "My goal is to get them down. I’m kind of the last resort."

Coaches laud his football instincts.

"Tanner’s got a gift for the feel of the game," Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said. "He understands the nuances of most positions."

McEvoy said he’s heard such commentary on his play since high school.

"I think it comes naturally," he said.

An affable chat turns serious, though, as McEvoy addresses his time at quarterback last season. The lines in his forehead deepen. McEvoy’s eyes narrow. This is the competitor in him, an explanation of his ability to succeed in the face of regular change over five years as a college player.

"Last season,” McEvoy said, pausing, “it was interesting. It was different, maybe not exactly how you want it to go. I definitely learned a lot as a player on the field and off the field. I grew a lot. You learn how to handle adversity more how to prepare."

McEvoy started the Badgers’ first five games at quarterback as returning starter Joel Stave battled throwing problems. McEvoy totaled just 90 yards in a season-opening loss to LSU, but played fairly well in wins against Western Illinois, Bowling Green and South Florida, completing 69.4 percent of his throws with five touchdowns.

He also rushed 236 yards in the three wins to provide a dual threat at the position. But McEvoy was benched in the first half on Oct. 4 against Northwestern as Stave returned in the 20-14 loss.

Stave started the rest of the season.

"I showed glimpses,” McEvoy said, “but we needed to make a shift. It worked. It just didn’t go the way I wanted it to."

McEvoy said he’s glad to have tried the position at Wisconsin after playing well in 2012 at Arizona Western College and starting his career at Wisconsin as a quarterback in 2013.

"I had my mindset that I wanted to play quarterback and that I thought I could," McEvoy said last week. "I still think I could."

Alas, he is focused almost entirely on safety this spring. Almost -- because he spends time at receiver after practice with Stave, throwing with Stave. McEvoy starred at receiver in 2009 as a junior at Bergen Catholic in Hillsdale, New Jersey, before moving to quarterback as a senior.

His first action at Wisconsin, in fact, came as a receiver against UMass in 2013. A wrist injury forced the initial switch from offense to defense in Madison. McEvoy finished his junior season with 27 tackles, making three starts in the secondary.

So the change this spring feels familiar. He forms a formidable tandem with Michael Caputo, the Badgers’ top tackler in 2014 and a second-team All-Big Ten choice of the media and coaches.

Lubern Figaro, who started five games last fall as a true freshman, is playing behind the veteran duo.

"He’s just another dude who knows what’s going on," Caputo said of McEvoy. "It’s good to play with someone like that. There’s automatic trust. He’s very accountable.

"He knows the game inside and out, so that definitely helps him on the defensive side. But he’s a ball player as well, so he can just go make plays."

Asked this week on the league’s spring teleconference of coaches and players about McEvoy’s skill as a receiver, Caputo said his teammate could play anywhere on the field.

McEvoy has already proven Caputo right.

"I appreciate the qualities that he brings," first-year coach Paul Chryst said. "He’s unselfish. He’s done a lot for this team, and he’s showing that right now."

The decision to play as a senior on offense and defense was a collaboration of player and coaches, McEvoy said.

"It makes sense," said McEvoy, who considered his potential professional future in focusing primarily on defense. "I don’t think it’ll be too physically demanding. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. I’m excited to see how it goes."

Expect his work on offense to come in a limited role. Whatever his job – offense and defense – McEvoy credits the time at quarterback as an aid.

"Playing quarterback helps you in every aspect of playing this sport," McEvoy said. "You’ve got to know everything."

As for any harbored ill feelings about the demotion last fall, they do not exist. McEvoy said he fully supports Stave.

Still, questions about their relationship come almost nonstop.

"It never ends," McEvoy, the tension loosening in his face. "I have nothing against him. We’re with each other every day. We’re still on the same team."

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