Wisconsin Football: Nothing Can Happen to These 5 Players in 2012

Football is the epitome of a team sport, but some individual players can be the difference between a season to remember and a season to forget. 

Wisconsin has a nucleus of playmakers that need to remain healthy and effective at all costs. Otherwise, the rising Wisconsin program may simply blend into the middle of the conference race. Impact on the field can then translate into leadership in the locker room and instill confidence in the rest of the team.

Montee Ball is back, but Wisconsin boasts one of the deepest backfields in college football. Who else needs a great season?

No one player is bigger than the team, but this Wisconsin team needs a handful of players to lead the way back to the Rose Bowl. 

Danny O'Brien

A lot of emotional equity has already been invested in the newest Badger, Danny O'Brien. He is being hailed as a savior of sorts without ever taking a snap.

Regardless, O'Brien needs to stay healthy, focused and active. The 2011 Wisconsin squad thrived on the play-action pass. 2012's team should follow the same formula. An accurate, smart quarterback will be the catalyst for success.

The rest of the roster will not boast another quarterback with O'Brien's experience and talent. 

Jacob Pedersen

Few teams utilize the tight end like the University of Wisconsin. That legacy can be found throughout the NFL, as multiple TE alumni are playing on Sundays. 

Jacob Pedersen is the next in a long line of great positional players. Pedersen has excellent hands and has a knack for getting open when the game is on the line. For being a young player, he has seen a good amount of game action and adjusts well when the QB needs to scramble. 

With Nick Toon graduating, Pedersen becomes an even more important cog in the Wisconsin offensive machine. 

Chris Borland

Chris Borland is unique. His blend of skill and speed makes him a formidable force on the field. 

The Wisconsin defense should show some improvements over last year, but it would be a tall order for Borland to improve over his 2011.

He and Mike Taylor provide the platform for that progress, as the twosome became revered hitting machines.

Borland's energy and hustle create a great precedent for other players to follow. 

Devin Smith

Antonio Fenelus is gone. Marcus Cromartie is inconsistent. 

The Wisconsin cornerback corps will need a proven player to cover the opposing team's big-time receiver. Devin Smith needs to be that defensive back. He was sidelined early last year with a foot injury, but he needs to bounce back and provide leadership in a suspect secondary.  

Smith and his cohorts should reap the benefits of a deeper defensive line, but there is no substitute for veteran leadership. 

Jared Abbrederis

The aerial attack of the Wisconsin Badgers will be under scrutiny with a new quarterback, new offensive coordinators and a host of unproven receivers. 

Jared Abbrederis provides a nice security blanket for the team.

He will not participate this spring, but Badger fans better pray that means he is simply resting up for an explosive fall.