No, this doesn’t have a 100% direct relation to Wisconsin Badgers football. But when big news breaks, we try to connect it to the Badgers.
That is the case Friday afternoon when NFL legend Aaron Donald announced his retirement.
The future Hall of Famer calls it quits after a 10-year career that included 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss, 260 quarterback hits, 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, 21 pass deflections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl title.
Related: Pre-spring bold predictions for the 2024 Big Ten football season
Donald played his college ball at Pittsburgh from 2010-2013, playing under longtime Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst in 2012 and 2013. Given that connection, it’s fair to say Donald is Chryst’s best collegiate player.
Jonathan Taylor may have an argument for production in college, as Donald did not blossom until his second year. But we’re counting NFL production and the fact Donald retires as one of, if not the, greatest defensive linemen of all time.
Paul Chryst's best player? https://t.co/QhLQCOvlL4
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) March 15, 2024
Chryst remains an offensive analyst at Texas entering the 2024 college football season. His name came up for several positions, including Iowa’s offensive coordinator, but the former Wisconsin coach elected to stay put and wait for a different opportunity.
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