Tag: former badger

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.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward sets EuroLeague record

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward sets EuroLeague record

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes-Davis set a new EuroLeague record with 50 points in a game Friday.

Playing for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Hayes-Davis put on a show against ALBA Berlin, leading his team to a 103-68 victory. He surpassed Shane Larkin’s record of 49 points, setting a new all-time mark for a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game.

“I had it written in my notes at the beginning of the season that I wanted to break the scoring record this year,” Hayes-Davis said after his 50-point outing.

He finished 18-for-27 from the field while nailing nine three-pointers on 16 attempts, also chipping in five free throws on seven tries in the dominant performance.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Wisconsin football legend reacts to NFL ban of hip-drop tackle

Wisconsin football legend reacts to NFL ban of hip-drop tackle

The NFL announced Monday that they have banned the hip-drop tackle after the motion passed unanimously with the Competition Committee. Former Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman JJ Watt, isn’t a huge fan of the decision.

Throughout the years, the NFL has continued to emphasize players safety and Monday’s decision was another opportunity for them to feel like they’re doing just that.

On the flip side, there’s a perception that the rule changes that they continue to implement on the behalf safety, skew towards the offensive athletes. Over time, it’s become illegal to hit an offensive player above the head and neck (understandable), hitting a player with the crown of your helmet is outlawed (also understandable), landing on a quarterback with your full body weight isn’t allowed (often hard to gage) and even making contact with a QB below the knees will lead to a flag (often ticky-tack).

Watt’s frustrations on the hip-drop tackle ban will likely be echoed throughout the league and it’ll be interesting to see how the new rule is officiated in 2024.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badger was the highest-graded player in the Super Bowl

Former Badger was the highest-graded player in the Super Bowl

 

The Kansas City Chiefs knocked off the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22 in overtime, to capture their second straight Super Bowl, and a former Badger played a massive role.

Linebacker Leo Chenal registeed six tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble, while also blocking a PAT, providing Kansas City with a pair of crucial plays.

His performance was good enough to earn the highest overall rating in the game by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Chenal has won the Super Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons after a successful three-year career with the Badgers (2019-2021).

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

 

 

Former Wisconsin Badgers WR could be gearing up for NFL return

Former Badgers WR could be gearing up for NFL return

Former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus could be gearing up for a return to the NFL.

Cephus was out of the league in 2023 after being suspended indefinitely last April for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Cephus was released by the Detroit Lions after being suspended. He will have to apply to the league for reinstatement ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Lions, Cephus produced 37 receptions for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games with Detroit over three seasons. The wide receiver appeared in four games with Detroit in 2022, recording two catches for 15 yards.

During his time with the Badgers from 2016-2019, he caught 93 passes for 1,496 yards and 13 scores.

His career comes down to whether the NFL decides to reinstate him, and if the free agent can impress a team enough to receive another opportunity.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badgers running back headed to the NFL Combine

Former Badgers running back headed to the NFL Combine

Former Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo has been invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine after spending his final college season with Louisville.

After four seasons with the Wisconsin, Guerendo transferred to join the Cardinals and head coach Jeff Brohm (formerly with Purdue) in his first season in Louisville.

The running back had a career year with the Cardinals, producing 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground while also adding 22 catches for 234 yards, all of which were the highest totals of his career.

Guerendo will now be one of the 300-plus athletes participating in the NFL Combine beginning Feb. 29 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Two former Badgers selected to 2023 NFL Pro Bowl roster

Two former Badgers selected to 2024 NFL Pro Bowl roster

The initial 2024 NFL Pro Bowl roster was announced Wednesday and two former Badgers, fullback Alec Ingold and linebacker T.J. Watt were selected.

For Ingold, it marks the first time that he has been chosen for the Pro Bowl, earning the selection after posting 13 catches for 119 yards over the team’s 16 contests so far while also helping lead block for Miami’s formidable rushing attack.

Watt has now been selected for six straight Pro Bowls and through 16 contests in 2023, he’s compiled 60 tackles, including 17.0 sacks, while deflecting eight passes, intercepting another, forcing four fumbles, recovering three fumbles and scoring a touchdown.

Congrats to the latest former Badgers who will appear in the Pro Bowl.

(Incorrectly marked as 2023 Pro Bowl)

https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1742729773594693653?s=46&t=OeAKdLK4n5Ct21xw6WVVTQ

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badgers QB sticking around college football for 2024

Former Badgers QB sticking around for final year of eligibility

After the 2022 college football season, former Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz announced that he was transferring to Florida and he is staying in Gainesville for another season.

In his first season with the Gators, Mertz produced 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, both of which were career highs for him through five years of collegiate action.

He suffered a broken collarbone at the end of the season and he was forced to sit out of the team’s regular season finale versus Florida State and Florida finished the year with a 5-7 overall record.

Mertz will look to make the most of his final season of eligibility in 2024.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badgers O-Lineman achieves rare feat in NFL

Zeitler becomes a member of rare club

The Badgers football team has had many great players over the years, but offensive guard Kevin Zeitler is one of the more unheralded stars. Zeitler has now achieved the rare feat of beating all 32 NFL teams during his career.

A member of the Badgers from 2008-2011, Zeitler was named a first-team all-american in his final campaign, joining teammates running back Montee Ball and fellow offensive guard Peter Konz.

He was drafted 27th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and he has spent time with the Browns, Giants and Ravens (current team) as well. He’s been one of the best offensive guards in the league throughout his entire career.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badger wins AFC Defensive Player of the Month

Steelers’ stud gets another NFL honor

The month of September is somehow already coming to an end and after three full weeks of NFL action, former Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt was selected as the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Month.

Watt had a stellar month, recording 11 tackles, including six sacks, while also recording two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown in Week 2 versus the Browns.

Since he entered the league in 2017, Watt leads all players with 83.5 sacks over 90 total career games over his first six-plus seasons with the Steelers. He’s truly amongst the most elite players in the entire NFL.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]