Without question, the freshman who has made the biggest impact and turned more heads for UW athletics this year was running back P.J. Hill. After spending the 2005-'06 season as a redshirt, the East Elmhurst, N.Y., native stepped up to replace the NFL-departed Brian Calhoun as the first-string running back in all 13 games this year and made it look easy.
Hill ran for 1,569 yards on 311 carries, which ranks sixth all-time on the UW single-season rushing list. Needless to say, he was the nation's leading freshman runner. However, he also sat atop the Big Ten in rushing yardage and was eighth overall in the country. He became just the third Badger in history to breach 1,000 yards rushing as a freshman and just the fifth player in NCAA Division I history to hit the 1,000 mark in as few as seven games. Only four players managed to accomplish this before him, including Emmitt Smith and Marshall Faulk.
His scoring total was certainly something to behold as well. His 16-touchdown season tied for 12th best in the country, and his 15 rushing touchdowns are second only to Ron Dayne's 21 on the list of UW freshman running back records.
After helping the team achieve its best record in school history and a second consecutive Capital One Bowl crown, Hill accumulated a laundry list of accolades. He was named National Freshman of the Year and third-team All-American by Rivals.com, national freshman of the year by CBSsportsline.com, consensus Big Ten Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten by the media and semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. Not bad for a guy who has at least two more years as a Badger.
Honorable Mention: Brittney Dolgner
An honorable mention for Rookie of the Year has to be given to UW volleyball's Brittney Dolgner. The product of Waupun, Wis., was every bit the impact player national scouting reports tabbed her as coming out of high school. The 2005 PrepVolleyball.com Senior Player of the Year started in 31 matches this year and saw playing time in all 112 games. She led the team with 461 total kills and 4.12 kills per game, and also notched a team-high 32 service aces. On defense, Dolgner came up with 281 digs, second only to junior libero Jocelyn Wack.
Dolgner's efforts helped the team reach a 26-7 record and a second-round berth in the 2006 NCAA tournament. In addition, she claimed a spot on both the All-Big Ten Honors board and the Big Ten All-Freshman team and was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Mideast Regional team.
