Tag: former badger

Former Wisconsin Badgers QB earns starting role with Albany

Former Wisconsin Badgers QB earns starting role with Albany

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Myles Burkett was named Albany’s starting quarterback entering the 2024 season on Wednesday.

Burkett spent two seasons with the Badgers after joining the program as a member of its class of 2022. He compiled 84 total passing yards in two appearances, both in 2022, before entering the transfer portal earlier this offseason

The Franklin, Wisconsin, native was buried on the depth chart behind Graham Mertz, Tanner Mordecai, Nick Evers and Braedyn Locke in Madison, greatly limiting his opportunities.

Now with Albany, Burkett, a redshirt sophomore, beat out senior Trey Lindsey for the starting job with the Great Danes.

When it comes to the Badgers’ starting QB job, transfer Tyler Van Dyke (University of Miami) was named as the team’s starter last week, winning the job over Braedyn Locke.

Former Wisconsin guard participates in third straight summer league

Former Wisconsin guard participating in third straight Summer League

The 2025 NBA Summer League officially starts on Friday, and former Wisconsin Badgers guard Johnny Davis will be participating for the third straight year with the Washington Wizards.

Davis was selected 10th in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft by the Wizards, but he hasn’t found a consistent groove in the league. The 6-foot-4 guard appeared in 50 games in his second season in the NBA this past year, averaging 3 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 40.3% from the field.

The 22-year-old will play alongside Washington’s three first-round picks from the 2024 NBA draft: big man Alexandre Sarr (No. 2), guard Bub Carrington (No. 14) and Kyshawn George (No. 24).

With the Wizards coming off a rather disappointing 15-67 season, their sixth consecutive losing campaign, the summer league represents an opportunity for their young assets to get more comfortable with one another, and Davis will look to take advantage.

Former Wisconsin hockey star throws out first pitch at Milwaukee Brewers game

Former Wisconsin hockey star throws out first pitch at Brewers game

Former Wisconsin men’s hockey forward Cole Caufield threw out the first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The 23-year-old spent two seasons with the Badgers from 2019-2021.

Caufield scored 49 goals while also adding 39 assists over 67 games during his time in Madison, Wisconsin. He got to play alongside his older brother Brock Caufield, as the two brothers helped lead the Badgers to a Big Ten regular-season title in Cole’s final year on campus.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound athlete was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 15th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft and reported to the team after his two campaigns in Madison.

Caufield has now completed four seasons in the league, most recently playing in all 82 games in 2023-2024, compiling 65 total points (28 goals and 37 assists).

A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Caufield has remained active in his home state, including his appearance at the Brewers game Saturday.

Former Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl finds home for 2024 NBA Summer League

Tyler Wahl finds home for NBA Summer League

The 2024 NBA Draft is in the books and although former Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl wasn’t selected, he has found a home to play in this year’s NBA Summer League.

Wahl will be a part of his hometown Timberwolves roster during summer league, giving him a chance to compete with other NBA hopefuls who went undrafted, as well as those that did.

Minnesota added two first round players in the first round of the draft Wednesday, bringing in Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham (8th overall) via trade from the Spurs and Illinois wing Terrence Shannon Jr. (27th overall).

Wahl spent five seasons with the Badgers from 2019-2024, appearing in 162 games, including 121 starts. Most recently, Wahl averaged 10.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 2023-2024.

The NBA Summer League will take place July 12-22 in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound athlete will have an uphill battle to make the Timberwolves’ roster, if he impresses in Las Vegas, he could garner a spot on the team’s G-League team in Iowa.

Former Wisconsin quarterback notches NIL deal with Mercedes-Benz dealership

Former Wisconsin Badger notches NIL deal with Mercedes-Benz dealership

It’s a new era in collegiate sports and athletes are now reaping the benefits of their name, image and likeness. That is most recently seen with Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz, who inked a partnership with Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville on Monday.

Mertz is entering his second season as the starting quarterback at Florida under head coach Billy Napier after spending the first four years of his college career with Wisconsin.

He produced 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdowns through the air in his first campaign with the Gators, both of which were career highs for the quarterback.

In terms of the deal with Mercedes-Benz, it’s the second agreement that Mertz has struck with a car dealership in the last two years, also inking a partnership with Essential Motors NJ in February of 2023.

Over in Madison, the Badgers will be entering their second straight season with a new starting quarterback, choosing between grad-transfer Tyler Van Dyke (Miami-FL) and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke.

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads one of ProFootballFocus top QB rooms entering 2024

Former Wisconsin quarterback leads one of ProFootballFocus top QB rooms entering 2024

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz leads the Florida Gators quarterback room to a No. 7 rating in ProFootballFocus’ QB room ranking entering 2024. Mertz is entering his second campaign in Gainesville, returning following a productive 2023 campaign.

The quarterback compiled 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdowns over 11 games last season, excelling to put up career-best numbers across the board with the Gators. The 2024 campaign will be his sixth overall college campaign before he’ll likely look to go pro thereafter.

Also in the QB room will be freshman DJ Lagway, a former five-star and top overall quarterback in the class of 2024. It’s possible that if Mertz gets off to a slow start, Lagway could be the next in line.

In regards to the Badgers quarterbacks, graduate transfer Tyler Van Dyke (Miami-FL) and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke are the two players in a position to start in 2024 in what will be the second season with Phil Longo’s air raid offense in Madison.

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Three former Wisconsin Badgers ranked in NFL top 100 by CBS Sports

Three former Wisconsin Badgers ranked in NFL top 100 by CBS Sports

The 2024 NFL season remains months away, but CBS Sports released a list of their 100 “most important” players in the league this week ahead of the campaign. The list includes three former Wisconsin Badgers.

Running back Jonathan Taylor is entering his fifth season with the Indianapolis Colts following a very successful career with Wisconsin. The 2023 campaign was full of drama for Taylor and his organization as they opened the season in a contract dispute. Now operating in the second year with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Taylor’s importance is significant.

Two former Badgers and current members of the Pittsburgh Steelers were also included on the list. Russell Wilson will be taking over as the team’s starting quarterback in 2024 after two disappointing years in Denver. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement after the 2021 season, the Steelers have had a carousel at quarterback and Wilson’s importance to the team is obvious.

On the defensive side of the ball, edge rusher T.J. Watt is approaching his eighth year in the league and no one has more sacks than him since 2017. To be competitive in 2024, Pittsburgh’s defense will have to remain very productive this season and Watt is the top dog.

Pair of former Wisconsin football players secure NFL minicamp invites

Pair of former Wisconsin football players secure NFL mini camp invites

The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone and a pair of undrafted former Wisconsin Badgers football players secured rookie minicamp invitations this week.

Offensive lineman Michael Furtney was invited to both the Bills and Packers’ rookie mini camps, while safety Travian Blaylock was invited to join the Bears at their rookie minicamp.

Furtney spent the final two years of his five campaigns in Madison operating as the team’s starting right guard while he finished his UW career having played in 56 total contests, which ranks fourth all-time in program history. He’ll now get a chance to prove himself in a pair of camps ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Blaylock wrapped up a four-year Wisconsin tenure this past season, playing in all 13 games, recording seven total tackles and pass breakup during the 2023 campaign. He is the son of former Chiefs and Jets running back Derrick Blaylock (2001-2007) and he’ll look to carve out his own NFL career.

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Former Wisconsin wide receiver gets second chance with Bills

Former Wisconsin wide receiver gets second chance with Bills

Former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus and the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement on a contract. Cephus missed the entirety of the 2023 NFL season serving a suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy.

The wide receiver was caught gambling on NFL action and received a rather significant penalty as a result. He was reinstated by the league last week and will now look to turn over a new leaf in Buffalo.

Cephus was selected by the Lions in the fifth round (166th overall) of 2020 NFL Draft, reeling in 20 receptions for 349 yards and two scores in his rookie campaign. In total, he finished his Lions career with 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns over three campaigns in Detroit before being suspended and released ahead of the 2023 season.

With Stefon Diggs no longer in Buffalo, the Bills selected Keon Coleman (Florida State) in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unlike Coleman, Cephus will likely have to compete to make the roster.

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Former Wisconsin running back continues to impress before NFL Draft

Former Wisconsin running back continues to impress before NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will begin next Thursday night (April 25) in Detroit and former Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen continues to impress.

After three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in Madison, Allen will be moving on to the next level. What makes him so impressive as an athlete is his shear strength, which he has consistently put on tape dating all the way back to his high school days in Fond Du Lac.

Allen has been compared to NFL star Derrick Henry throughout his career and the two of them were even spotted working out together earlier this month.

The running back remains projected to be a mid-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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