Tag: Eric Burrell

Former and current Badgers react to reports of Luke Fickell being named Wisconsin’s head coach

Former and current Wisconsin players react to the reports of Luke Fickell being named as Wisconsin’s next head coach:

Early on Sunday afternoon, Wisconsin State Journal writer, Tom Oates, first reported that the Wisconsin Badgers intend to make Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell their next head coach.

Related: Wisconsin football Twitter reacts to Luke Fickell reportedly being named the next head football coach

The news came as a surprise to Wisconsin players and fans who have been thinking interim head coach Jim Leonhard would likely take over the position permanently. Several current players have already offered their reaction to the news, while many former Badgers have also given their assessment on this potential move for the program.

It will be interesting to see what Fickell can bring to Wisconsin from the Bearcats, with whom he went 58-17 and led to a College Football Playoff appearance last season.

Below are the Twitter reactions of current and former Badgers players:

Former Saints safety Eric Burrell tries out for Patriots

The Patriots invited Eric Burrell to a tryout, giving the former Saints and Badgers safety his next NFL opportunity:

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Eric Burrell was all over the field for the New Orleans Saints in their two preseason games, but it wasn’t enough for him to win a roster spot. And after not being brought back to the practice squad, the safety tried out for the New England Patriots on Friday, Sept. 3, per the daily NFL transactions wire.

But he wasn’t initially signed to a contract — neither was Rodney Clemons, another young free agent safety. Initially picked up by the Saints as an undrafted signee out of Wisconsin, the former Badgers standout competed for a backup job with the likes of Bryce Thompson, Deuce Wallace, and Jeff Heath over the summer. The Saints ultimately went with Heath as a surprise addition to the 53-man roster.

So we’ll have to see where Burrell goes from here. He could return to New Orleans later on down the line, but for now they’re set at the position between entrenched starters Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Williams, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson playing heavy snaps as the team’s nickel back and J.T. Gray earning All-Pro votes on special teams. Hopefully the rookie lands on his feet.

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The New Orleans Saints waive a former Wisconsin safety

The New Orleans Saints waive a former Wisconsin safety

The New Orleans Saints have waived former Wisconsin safety Eric Burrell, per multiple reports.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Burrell was battling for a spot on the 53-man roster and made impact plays during the preseason.

Burrell recorded 7 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in two preseason appearances. After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, he figured to push to make an impact on special teams throughout the offseason.

The former Badger will now likely sign with an NFL practice squad and wait for his next opportunity to make an active roster.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

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WATCH: Former Wisconsin S Eric Burrell’s strip sack in his first preseason game

Watch Former Wisconsin safety Eric Burrell’s huge hit in his debut for the New Orleans Saints:

Several former Wisconsin Badgers put on NFL uniforms for the first time in the last few days including Raiders running back Garrett Groshek, Packers offensive linemen Jon Dietzen and Cole Van Lanen and New Orleans Saints safety Eric Burrell.

Related: LOOK: Former Badgers in their first NFL preseason action

In his first preseason action against the Baltimore Ravens, former Wisconsin S Eric Burrell made a huge hit on the line of scrimmage to strip-sack Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley. In addition to the huge hit, the former Badger had six solo tackles in his Saints’ debut.

Burrell was signed as an undrafted free agent in May and will likely have a difficult journey to make the New Orleans roster. However, if he can continue to make huge plays like this, the rookie safety will be on an NFL roster come September.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

Where every former Badger stands in TheDraftNetwork’s current 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

There are several former Wisconsin Badgers hoping to hear their names called during the 2021 NFL Draft later this week. Cole Van Lanen,

We are now four days away from one of the most significant days in the college football and NFL calendar: the NFL Draft.

Last year’s draft was unlike any other, with the event being held completely virtually and representing the only sport-related live broadcast at the time.

But this year things are a bit different. Though one thing that hasn’t changed? There are several former Wisconsin Badgers hoping to hear their names called during the three-day event.

Related: Wisconsin football seniors 2021 roster decision tracker

Here is where they all stand in TheDraftNetwork.com’s current 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings:

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Potential 2021 Chiefs draft prospects: Group 15

Bowl season is officially here and we’ve got several prospects set to play on the big stage. There are a few teams playing today, but I’ve already highlighted several of the draft-eligible players in those games. We’ll look at a few players who play …

Bowl season is officially here and we’ve got several prospects set to play on the big stage. There are a few teams playing today, but I’ve already highlighted several of the draft-eligible players in those games. We’ll look at a few players who play later this week today instead.

I’ve identified a number of college prospects to keep an eye on ahead of the 2021 draft. All of them are potential fits with the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ll be releasing my thoughts on many of the prospects in random groups of four on Saturday’s throughout the season.

Check out our fifteenth group of prospects down below:

WATCH: Eric Burrell leads his Wisconsin teammates across the field with Paul Bunyan’s Axe

The Badgers celebrate with the Axe

A 20-17 overtime win for Wisconsin football over Minnesota means many things, but it means one thing above all else: Paul Bunyan’s Axe stays in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Senior safety Eric Burrell, who made arguably the biggest defensive play of the afternoon by picking off Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan in the end zone, led his team into the end zone after the game. He carried the Axe across the Camp Randall turf and then the chopping began:

All the Badgers took their turn with one of the best trophies in all of college football. Paul Bunyan’s Axe stays in Madison for the second straight year.

WATCH: Wisconsin players speak about the postponement of the fall season

Earlier this morning, Wisconsin Football released a short video that included interviews from Eric Burrell, Faion Hicks, Cole Van Lane…

Earlier this morning, Wisconsin Football released a short video that included interviews from Eric Burrell, Faion Hicks, Cole Van Lanen, Garrett Groshek, Jack Coan, and Isaiahh Loudermilk that talked about their reactions to the Big Ten’s decision to postpone the fall sports season.

The group talked about the initial struggle and anger from hearing the decision to postpone but continued to how they are still competing and preparing for an eventual season. The players mentioned that the team is getting through this with a positive attitude and by supporting each other, while also remaining hopeful for any breakthroughs that could bring the season back sooner.

Wisconsin Football gave the players an opportunity to speak about their perspective on the postponement of fall sports, and it came together nicely to show a very united team.

The Wisconsin defense ranked in the top five in power five of this stat by PFF

Last year, the Wisconsin defense was nothing short of amazing for most of the season. They had star players in key positions like Chris Orr at linebacker, Zack Baun at edge rusher, as well as Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson at safety.

Last year, the Wisconsin defense was nothing short of amazing for most of the season. They had star players in key positions like Chris Orr at linebacker, Zack Baun at edge rusher, as well as Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson at safety.

Pro Football Focus tweeted the top five power five defenses last season in defensive touchdowns. Wisconsin ranked at fourth tied with the Oregon Ducks at four defensive touchdowns behind Missouri and Utah with five, and Illinois with six. Wisconsin had 21 total turnovers with 11 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries that led to a plus-three turnover margin overall for the Badgers.

The Badgers defense has been consistently rated highly by analysts and other coaches, yet it is a very underrated aspect of this Wisconsin team. This team even had three big parts of their defense from last season return for this year in Reggie Pearson, Jack Sanborn, and Eric Burrell before the postponement of the season. It will be tough to not watch them play this fall, but it will be promising to see how some of our recent highly rated recruits perform in the coming years.

Wisconsin football players react to the cancellation of the 2020 season

As you probably have heard at this point the Big Ten announced today that it canceled the fall football season and hopes to move it to…

As you probably have heard at this point, the Big Ten announced today it has canceled the fall football season and hopes to move it to the spring.

The news is obviously significant, and has far-reaching impact on the sport, the college towns, college athletics as a whole and the athletes involved.

Here’s how Wisconsin football players reacted to the news:

 

This post will be updated as more players chime in, but it’s clear the news is tough for everybody involved.

Stay tuned in to BadgersWire for everything regarding the season cancellation and what it means for the future of Wisconsin football.