Wisconsin football starting center considered week-to-week with lower body injury
Despite being helped off the field at UW-Platteville's Pioneer Stadium yesterday, UW officials noted that Renfro did not suffer any structural damage. The Illinois native has not been ruled out of Wisconsin's Aug. 28 opener against Miami (OH) at Camp Randall Stadium.
Renfro, who laced up in all 12 of the Badgers' contests during the 2024 slate, enters his third year with the program after spending two seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2020-21. Before missing the entire 2022 season due to injury, the 6-foot-4 center showcased his talents by anchoring a 2021 Cincinnati offensive line that helped the team to a College Football Playoff appearance.
In 2024, the graduate student played a significant role for a Wisconsin offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks and 47.0 TFLs. Renfro's 68.9 PFF run blocking grade was also tied for the fifth-highest clip in the conference.
Last month, Renfro accompanied cornerback Ricardo Hallman, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and head coach Luke Fickell in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the 2025 Big Ten Media Days. The center's leadership and connection with Fickell, whom he spent time with at Cincinnati, positions him as one of the more senior players in UW's locker room ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Given starting left tackle Kevin Heywood's preseason injury, Renfro's presence in the offensive line is paramount. The addition of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, who runs a traditional ground-and-pound scheme, puts more emphasis on a reliable line and a talented set of running backs. Cade Yacamelli, Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones figure to receive the bulk of the workload in the backfield behind Renfro and company.
The center's status is one to monitor as Wisconsin gears up for the regular season later this month.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football center Jake Renfro training camp injury update
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