Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun received yet another impressive accolade on Friday.
Baun, who represented the Badgers from 2015-19, was named to the 2024 AP All-Pro first team. He is one of three inside linebackers on the unit along with Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers) and Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens).
Other notable names on the unit include edge Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), edge Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), lineman Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) and cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos).
With the nomination, the Brown Deer, Wisconsin native becomes the 15th former Badger to earn NFL All-Pro status.
Baun did virtually everything for the Eagles this season. In 16 starts, the 28-year-old tallied 151 total tackles 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections and 3 1/2 sacks. With the output, he became the first player in NFL history to record at least 150 tackles and five forced fumbles in a single season.
2024 AP First Team All-Pro Defense! https://t.co/UUVWqwVJuq pic.twitter.com/Z3ZU3VQI3P
— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2025
ProFootballFocus also named Baun its ‘Breakout Player of the Year’ for the 2024 slate with a 90.1 overall grade, the highest among any linebacker in the league. On top of everything, Baun is also a Pro Bowler for the first time in his five-year career.
The most impressive part of Baun’s season revolves around his previous four years as a pro. After amassing 88 combined tackles and two sacks from 2020-23 with the New Orleans Saints, Baun shattered his previous career-high totals in historic fashion.
Fueled by Baun’s stellar play at inside linebacker, the Eagles defense finished the season leading the league in total defense (280.9 yards allowed per game) and third in points allowed per game (18.1). The NFC’s No. 2-seed will now square off against a dynamic Green Bay Packers offense on Jan. 12 in Philadelphia.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]