NFL’s Wisconsin fraternity about to expand
By GERY WOELFEL
Take a gander around the NFL and you’ll inevitably find an array of former University of Wisconsin products.
In fact, two of them — guard David Edwards and tackle Rob Havenstein — started for the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. T. J. Watt, another former Badger standout, was this season’s Defensive Player of the Year, while Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor won the league’s rushing title.
According to the NFL, a total of 27 Badgers played at least one snap in the NFL last season and that total figures to expand next season as at least four Badgers figure to be selected in the NFL draft April 28-30 in Las Vegas.
That quartet – which has been invited to next week’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis — consists of Jake Ferguson, Leo Chenal, Jack Sanborn and Logan Bruss.
A veteran NFL scouts who saw all of the aforementioned Badgers play in person last season offered capsule summaries on them and where he currently projects them to be picked in the draft.
Jake Ferguson
Hometown: Madison.
Position: Tight end.
Height/weight: 6-5, 244.
Notables: Ferguson caught 46 passes for 450 yards (9.8 yard average) in 13 games this season as a senior. … Selected to the Big Ten Conference all-first team. … Played well in the recent Senior Bowl.
Scout’s projected draft range: Fourth round.
Scout’s comments: “He lacks top speed but is a solid route runner with very good hands. Needs to add bulk as a blocker.’’
Leo Chenal
Hometown: Grantsburg.
Position: Inside linebacker.
Height/weight: 6-2, 236.
Notables: Associated Press All-America second team selection. … Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. … Recorded team-high 115 tackles (59 solo, 56 assisted) in 11 games last season. … Big Ten all-first team selection.
Scout’s projected draft range: Third-fourth rounds.
Scout’s comments: “He’s a bit of a tweener, but he can rush the passer. He’s more of a DPR type on third down. A productive kid who plays with effort.’’
Jack Sanborn
Hometown: Deer Park, Ill.
Position: Inside linebacker.
Height/weight: 6-2, 236.
Notables: Big Ten all-first team selection last season. … Totaled 91 tackles (45 solo, 45 assisted) in 13 games last season. … Chosen Wisconsin’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Scout’s projected draft range: Fifth round.
Scout’s comments: “I think he’s underrated. He’s a smart and instinctive Badger linebacker who is a good blitzer. He has more zone cover skills than man-to-man skills. He’s another player who brings the energy.’’
Logan Bruss
Hometown: Kimberly
Position: Guard-tackle.
Height/weight: 6-5, 315.
Notables: Didn’t allow a sack last season in 275 pass-blocking snaps at right tackle. … All-Big Ten third-team selection in 2020.
Scout’s projected round: Fourth round.
Scout’s comments: “Bruss is one of the smartest players in the draft (an industrial engineering major). He’s versatile; he can play tackle or guard but better off inside. And he’s an excellent technician.’’
Here is the list of the 27 Wisconsin players who played at least one snap in the NFL last season:
Kevin Zeitler, OL – BAL
Tyler Biadasz, OL – DAL
David Edwards, OL – LAR
Andrew Van Ginkel, LB – MIA
Rob Havenstein, OL – LAR
Joe Schobert, LB – PIT
T.J. Edwards, LB – PHI
T.J. Watt, LB – PIT
Russell Wilson, QB – SEA
Jonathan Taylor, RB – IND
Ryan Ramczyk, OL – NO
Zack Baun, LB – NO
Michael Deiter, OL – MIA
Melvin Gordon, RB – DEN
Derek Watt, FB – PIT
Dare Ogunbowale, RB – JAX
Corey Clement, RB – DAL
J.J. Watt, DL – ARI
Isaiahh Loudermilk, DL – PIT
Alec Ingold, FB – LV
Ryan Connelly, LB – MIN
Quintez Cephus, WR – DET
Alex Erickson, WR – CAR
Vince Biegel, LB – MIA
James White, RB – NE
Rachad Wildgoose, DB – NYJ
Cole Van Lanen, OL – GB
Bruss- one of the smartest players in the draft , can play tackle or guard but better off inside , excellent technician , Ferguson – lacks top speed but is a solid route runner with very good hands, needs to add bulk as a blocker . Chenal – a bit of a tweener but can rush the passer , more of a DPR type on third down , productive kid who plays with effort . Sanborn- underrated , typical smart and instinctive Badger LB who is a good blitzer, more zone cover skills than m/m, plays with energy
