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Sensing that too many of his players weren't executing at the level he expects, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst delivered a stern and passionate post-practice speech.
"Nothing just happens," he said Wednesday night on the slick Camp Randall Stadium turf. "There has been a great tradition of winning teams.... You don't put the 'W' on and win. You've got to go earn it. It doesn't just happen. You've got to make it happen.
"What are you going to do with that opportunity? You create that opportunity. Go take it. Go make it.
"You've got to jump in. We don't have everyone jumping in, in my opinion."
Chryst's comments came after UW's seventh practice of the spring but the team's first since March 27 before the players went on break.
"I thought we had some guys really good," Chryst told reporters after practice. "And then I thought we had some... they've got to keep growing. It's that old adage — you get better or you get worse. I think it is real.
"You get a limited number of opportunities to work on the field and I just wanted to make sure everyone takes advantage of that."
One player who appears to be taking advantage of his chances is freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook, one of several players who enrolled at UW in January.
Hornibrook, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound lefty from West Chester, Pa., displayed strength, touch and accuracy during seven-on-seven work Wednesday.
Perhaps most telling is that Hornibrook appeared comfortable making his reads.
"You talk about opportunities," Chryst said. "I think he has earned the right for some. He has done a nice job of learning what to do... and that's a pretty significant transition and I think he has handled that."
A player who will be given every opportunity to contribute in 2015 is Tanner McEvoy.
McEvoy, who will be a redshirt senior, is working with the No. 1 defense at safety and appears set to get work at wide receiver, too.
He ran routes and caught passes from Joel Stave after practice Wednesday and caught the ball effortlessly.
McEvoy showed last season in his five-game stint at quarterback he is a dangerous runner and it is clear the new staff wants to get the ball in his hands.
"Tanner is a heck of an athlete, a football player," Chryst said. "Any time you're putting together your team you want to take advantage of guys' abilities and play their strengths.
"I think he is really talented."
Depth chart: The No. 1 offensive line featured Dan Voltzat center, Ray Ballat left guard and MichaelDeiter at right guard, Tyler Marzat left tackle and Hayden Biegelat right tackle.
The No. 2 line had George Panosat center, Walker Williamsat left guard, freshman Jon Dietzenat right guard, Jacob Maxwellat left tackle and BeauBenzschawel at right tackle.
Extra points: Kicker Rafael Gaglianone (back) is not expected to practice this spring....
Reserve offensive lineman Aidan McNamara, who suffered a serious injury to his left foot during practice in November, is still wearing a walking boot....
Cornerback Sojourn Shelton, whose play last season was uneven, made several aggressive plays on the ball and looked confident....
Natrell Jamerson, who was a wide receiver last season, has been moved to cornerback and is getting work at nickel back along with Derrick Tindal.