Walters said Wisconsin's defense is a reflection of its defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard. Walters got to know Leonhard better last December when they hung out at a banquet for the Broyles Award, which both assistants were finalists for in 2017. "He played 10, 12 years in the league. Undersized. Played with passion and enthusiasm. And that's what they do. They're fundamentally sound. They're not going to beat themselves. They're tough. They really reflect their entire coaching staff."