Wisconsin LB Spencer Lytle talks getting healthy, 2021

After minimal contributions and nagging injuries through his first two years on campus, Wisconsin linebacker Spencer Lytle is ready to contribute this season.

“I just want to be able to get on the field and make a difference,” he said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus. “Just stay healthy and keep competition in the room.”

Lytle redshirted as a freshman while dealing with injuries. He enrolled at Wisconsin with a sore wrist but opted to play through it. Then, in his first camp, he suffered a hamstring injury, then re-injured it while trying to come back too early, ultimately leading to him redshirting.

After the season, Lytle had surgery on his wrist

“It was the same injury that kept lingering,” he said. “It’s a little bone on the inside that can’t heal without surgery.”

Heading into the 2020 season, Spencer Lytle suffered another hamstring injury causing him to miss the season opener.

All in all, Lytle played in five games as a redshirt freshman, finishing with two tackles and a recovered fumble.

Seeing as all players received a waiver for the 2020 season, Lytle enters 2021 with four years of eligibility remaining.

With healthy winter, spring and so far, fall, Spencer Lytle has earned the trust of his position coach

“I think his mental approach to the game is excelling,” outside linebackers coach Bobby April told Potrykus earlier in camp. “I’m excited to see him. He is a guy we can put at field or boundary. Shoot, we can put him anywhere on the field and he kind of gets a great sense of how to play that spot.”

Lytle is expected to rotate in behind starters Nick Herbig and Noah Burks, but he’s flexible with the Badgers’ plans.

“Wherever they see me fitting best,” Lytle said. “Wherever they need me to be, that’s what I’ve got to do.”

Wisconsin returns 82% of their defensive production from 2020, according to ESPN and USA Today. Last season saw the Badgers go 4-3, with a Rose Bowl loss to Oregon to cap the season. In 2021, the Badgers will look to contend once again for the Big Ten West title and behind quarterback Graham Mertz, they’re well-positioned to do so.

Still considered a young player, Lytle make a name for himself this season and establish himself as a key piece of the Badgers defense in the coming years.

Coming out of California powerhouse St. John Bosco, Lytle was a borderline four-star prospect. As a senior, he recorded 108 tackles, 12 TFLs and 7 sacks.