MADISON — Senior fullback Chris Pressley was asked earlier this week what it would mean to him to be named one of the captains on the University of Wisconsin football team.

“It would mean a lot to me,” Pressley said softly. “I really do wish to be a captain. If not, I’m still going to be leader.”
Pressley wasn’t campaigning. He was asked the question on Tuesday, after the voting by the players was completed.

UW coach Bret Bielema announced the results on Wednesday and Pressley, indeed, was one of the four senior captains named.

“I don’t believe there’s a guy that didn’t vote for him,” Bielema said. “He’s got that much presence.”

Guard Kraig Urbik, defensive tackle Mike Newkirk and linebacker DeAndre Levy were the other choices.

“What I appreciate about Mike and ’Urby’ — I’m assuming that’s why those guys voted them that way — they just show up and give you the same thing every day,” Bielema said. “Mike is very consistent in his work ethic, his attitude, his approach. I think if you voted, who’s the hardest worker on our team, Mike would be No. 1 or 2 on that list.

“Kraig’s played so long ... I believe 39 (straight) starts. I think he’s a natural leader among the offensive line.”

Levy came on strong as a leader in the second half of last season and carried it through to the start of this year.

With such a strong senior class, including as many as 12 projected starters, there was no shortage of candidates.

Bielema said tight end Travis Beckum, junior running back P.J. Hill and linemen Andy Kemp and Eric Vanden Heuvel also got support on offense.

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas, tackle Jason Chapman and end Matt Shaughnessy also got lots of votes on defense. They all will be needed this season.

“The one thing I liked, there were a lot of guys that felt there were leadership qualities out there,” Bielema said. “Any time you have 11 or 12 senior starters and you only have four captains, there are a lot of guys that still have an impact on this team. I think that’s going to show up over time.”

Ewing injures shoulder: Freshman running back Bradie Ewing missed the last two days of practice after suffering a shoulder injury on Monday. Bielema said Ewing fell while doing a routine cut drill.

All the early tests on Ewing were negative, but he will undergo an MRI today.

“What he did in his recovery the next day was really, really good,” Bielema said. “So, they’re positive about where he is.”

Redshirt freshman running back John Clay, who has been slowed by an ankle injury, did a little more in practice on Wednesday and is close to being full go.

Bielema also said redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver Cody Rose, from Elmwood, has left the program.

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