ESPN released their top 75 college football quarterbacks from the 2000s, listing a former Badger in the top half. Although it may be easy to guess who this athlete is, he did only spend one season with Wisconsin.
Russell Wilson is the quarterback. He came in at 26th overall in Bill Connelly’s rankings. Even though he was essentially a rental for the Badgers, many consider him the best signal-caller in Wisconsin history.
Wilson’s 2011 season with the Badgers came after three seasons with NC State, but he went off with his new team. The quarterback recorded 3,175 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns, both of which are program records. Additionally, he led Wisconsin to their second straight Rose Bowl appearance, losing to Oregon in 45-38 shootout.
His season-long performance earned him ninth place in the Heisman voting as well as it boosted his NFL Draft position, ultimately being selected 75th overall by the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson went on to win Super Bowl XLVII with Seattle and appear in another one the following year.
Now with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is considered a fringe Hall of Famer and is easily the most accomplished quarterback in Badger history.
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