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Brown is ready to carry a bigger load for UW

MADISON — When tailback P.J. Hill decided to turn pro a year early, the responsibility for carrying the University of Wisconsin running game fell onto the broad shoulders of John Clay.

That transition was welcomed by those fans who thought Clay should have spent more time on the field as a redshirt freshman in 2008 and Hill should have spent more time on the bench.

Yet with the 6-foot-2, 242-pound Clay battling through persistent ankle problems this spring and still working to reach the 235-pound mark before next season, the importance of Zach Brown’s play has been reaffirmed.

“I feel I’m more mature now and I’ve put in the work,” said Brown, who will be a junior in the fall. “Last year we had more players with P.J. But P.J. is gone now so I have to fill a bigger role.”

Clay rushed 155 times for 884 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns last season. He is expected to enter preseason camp as the No. 1 tailback but must show he is physically capable of handling an increased workload. He must also continue to expand his understanding of the offense so the coaches can keep him on the field.

Those unknowns mean Brown must regain the form he displayed as a freshman in 2007.

With Clay redshirting and Lance Smith serving a five-game suspension handed down by UW officials that season, Brown became the No. 2 tailback behind Hill.

He responded with 119 carries for 568 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, and five touchdowns.

With Clay eventually taking over as the No. 2 back last season and Brown slowed for more than a month by a rib injury, his numbers fell to 55 carries for 305 yards (5.5-yard average) and three touchdowns.

As UW prepares for the annual spring game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, coach Bret Bielema has noticed subtle changes in Brown.

“I believe Zach, once he heard the departure of P.J., he realized everybody was going to start talking about John Clay,” Bielema said.

When healthy this spring, Clay has been UW’s most dynamic runner. Erik Smith, who will be a redshirt freshman in the fall, has displayed enough speed to get to the edge of the defense and the vision to be able to pick his way through traffic between the tackles. He does need to work on his pass-blocking, however.

Brown, listed at 5-11 and 208, appears to be running with more power and confidence than he did last season.

“Zach runs with a purpose,” Bielema said. “He has become thicker.

”Zach is a great attitude, great energy kid. He has been good for us in protection but he needs to become a complete back and I think he is making strides to be that.“

Recruiting update

UW’s white-hot rivalry with Minnesota is bound to get even warmer with the Badgers’ latest oral commitment for their 2010 freshman class.

Konrad Zagzebski, a linebacker from D.C. Everest who had committed to the Gophers in January, attended UW’s practice Monday night with his parents and told Bielema he has changed his mind and intends to play for UW.

Coaches cannot comment on recruits who have not signed a letter of intent but at one point Bielema congratulated Zagzebski and was all smiles after speaking with the family.

Zagzebski, 6-3 and 225, played defensive end as a sophomore but played outside linebacker last season.

Extra points

-- After going through a grueling scrimmage in full pads Saturday, the players practiced in helmets and shorts Monday. Nevertheless, Bielema was encouraged to see freshman quarterback Jon Budmayr on the field. Budmayr was limited to one series Saturday because of a sore groin. ”I was excited he got that much work today,“ Bielema said.

-- Linebacker Mike Taylor, who has missed significant time because of hamstring injury, did not practice Monday. However, Bielema hopes he can get some limited work Thursday and then try to play Saturday. ‘’Because he has got some limited time on the field,“ Bielema said. ‘’We’d like to see what he’s got.“