The Wisconsin Badgers are losing their most experienced starter in offensive lineman Dan Voltz, who announced Tuesday he is retiring from football.
Voltz is a fifth-year senior and a three-year starter who was returning from a knee injury this fall. He cited injuries as a primary reason for the decision, per the Wisconsin State Journal.
"Dealing with my body, something I've dealt with my whole career, with injuries and kind of fighting through that stuff," Voltz said.
Voltz said he would remain part of the program and contribute in ways other than playing. He had been practicing at left guard after playing center for the Badgers in previous years.
"It's a hard decision to make. It's been three or four days of a lot of thinking, talking to people within the program and family members about it," Voltz said.
He had been selected to the watch lists for the Rimington Award and the Outland Trophy, as well as the Senior Bowl. His decision leaves the Badgers all the more inexperienced on an offensive line that relies heavily on physical play and a powerful rushing attack. Wisconsin opens the season on Sept. 3 against LSU at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
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