Tag: former badger

Best Twitter reactions to Keanu Benton being drafted by Steelers

What does Twitter think of the Steelers’ pick?

Former Badger defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was selected in the second round, 49th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He became the second Badger off the board, hearing his name called six picks after center Joe Tippmann was picked by the Jets.

Benton will head to a team in the Steelers that has always prided themselves on the defensive side of the ball, joining stars like fellow Badger T.J. Watt and All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward in Pittsburgh as well as former teammate Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Overall, Benton just seems like a Steeler type and will look to fortify the team’s run defense by clogging up the interior running lanes for their opponents.

Here’s what Twitter thought of the selection by Pittsburgh:

Twitter reacts to Jets selecting Joe Tippmann

Tippmann to the Jets, what does Twitter think?

The first Wisconsin Badger to be taken off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft was interior offensive lineman Joe Tippmann, heading to the New York Jets with the No. 43 overall selection.

Tippmann was projected to go somewhere in the late first or early second round, which is exactly what happened. The 6-foot-6, 313-pound lineman will now block for all-time great Aaron Rodgers in New York after Rodgers was dealt to the Jets a few days prior to the draft.

He’ll join an offensive line that includes former first round picks Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton, both of whom will look to return from injuries in 2023.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Jets’ selection of Tippmann:

WATCH: Look back at rookie season of Johnny Davis

Johnny Davis just wrapped up his rookie season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

Johnny Davis just wrapped up his rookie season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Those numbers don’t really speak to how he finished the season though.

Over the last eight games of the season, Davis averaged an impressive 14.6 points per game while compiling 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over 32.6 minutes per contest.

With the rookie having to navigate the birth of his first child and the start of his professional career, it did take him a little while to click in the league, let alone the fact that he had a lower-body injury early in the campaign.

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Moving forward, Davis should see an expanded role in 2023-2024 and with a roster that also includes Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, Washington will look to make the playoffs next season.

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Former Badgers WR suspended by NFL and released by Lions

Former Badger and current NFL wide receiver Quintez Cephus was suspended for the entirety of the 2023 season Friday.

Former Badger and current NFL wide receiver Quintez Cephus was suspended for the entirety of the 2023 season Friday. Cephus was caught gambling on NFL contests and as a result was suspended by the league for a minimum of one season.

Cephus was one out of five NFL players that was suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy with teammate C.J. Moore also receiving a full-season suspension for gambling on NFL action. Additionally, Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were given six-game suspensions for betting on non-NFL action. Finally, Shaka Toney of the Commanders was also suspended for a full season.

Cephus was subsequently cut by the Lions and he will have to apply for reinstatement following the 2023 campaign if he wants to continue his NFL career. Over three seasons with Detroit, the former Badger has compiled 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games.

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Russell Wilson involved in golf cart incident

Russell Wilson’s golf cart flipped into a bunker while he was playing at the Arrowhead Golf Course on Saturday. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Russell Wilson’s golf cart flipped into a bunker while he was playing at the Arrowhead Golf Course on Saturday. Thankfully no one was injured, including the quarterback.

Teammate Justin Simmons, an All-Pro safety, was behind the wheel when the cart careened into the sand trap, taking Wilson down with him.

According to an eyewitness’s account, the group was likely trying to track down Wilson’s ball when the incident occurred, something they’d reportedly been doing a lot throughout the course to that point.

Although the incident could have been very bad, it appears as if both men have had a good sense of humor about it, with Simmons saying it was “not my best moment” and Russ tweeting the reply seen below.

After a down season in 2022 for Wilson where he threw for a career-low 16 touchdowns with 3,524 passing yards over 15 games in his first year with the Broncos, maybe the incident will set him right ahead of the 2023 campaign with new head coach Sean Payton at the helm.

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Johnny Davis finishes rookie season on a tear

Johnny Davis finally got a shot to show off his talents as the Wizards’ season was coming to a close, putting up some impressive stats.

Johnny Davis finally got a shot to show off his talents as the Wizards’ season was coming to a close, putting up some impressive stats in the last six games.

Over that stretch, Davis made three starts while averaging 14.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks. The former Big Ten Player of the Year proved why he was a top-10 selection in the 2022 NBA Draft.

It took a while for Davis to click in the NBA, starting the year on and off of the court with a hip injury, but he now appears to be ready to flex his muscles as a professional athlete moving forward.

With the Wizards struggling to find any sort of consistent success on the court from season to season, Davis could end up stepping right into a significant role in his sophomore campaign next year. Outside of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, Washington leaves much to be desired.

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Watch: Former Badger offensive lineman crushes bench press

Former Badger interior offensive lineman and NFL Draft prospect Joe Tippmann racked up 30 reps on the bench press Friday.

Former Badger interior offensive lineman and NFL Draft prospect Joe Tippmann racked up 30 reps on the bench press Friday. His rep total would have ranked fifth overall at the NFL Draft Combine in March.

Tippmann has been as popular as any of the Badger athletes who declared for the next level this offseason, oftentimes being mocked near the end of the first round or the start of the second round.

After multiple seasons as a mainstay blocking for the likes of quarterback Graham Mertz and running backs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi, Tippmann seems geared up to be another Badgers offensive lineman to carve out a successful career in the NFL.

The first round of the draft starts on April 27 and it’ll be interesting to see exactly where Tippmann goes.

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Watch: Johnny Davis with highlight dunk on career night

Johnny Davis continued his hot stretch Tuesday, scoring a career-high 20 points in the Wizards’ 140-128 loss to the Bucks.

Johnny Davis continued his hot stretch Tuesday, scoring a career-high 20 points in the Wizards’ 140-128 loss to the Bucks. Davis remained in the starting lineup for a second game in a row, increasing his production once again, also adding five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks over 37 minutes.

The former Badger has been seeing his playing time increase recently as the Wizards continue to deal with injuries in their backcourt and he hasn’t disappointed. The rookie has compiled 36 points over his two starts and could possibly remain in the lineup for Washington’s last three games.

Part of his massive performance was a spectacular dunk over Jrue Holiday, which can be seen below:

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Strong night for Davis in first career NBA start

Johnny Davis made his first career start for the Wizards on Sunday, scoring 16 points in the team’s 118-109 loss to the Knicks.

Johnny Davis made his first career start for the Wizards on Sunday, scoring 16 points in the team’s 118-109 loss to the Knicks. The rookie stepped into the starting lineup after both Bradley Beal (knee) and Monte Morris (ankle) were amongst the inactives.

With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle) also off the court, Davis had to step up his offensive effort. He went 6-for-11 from the field, including 2-for-6 from deep, while also snagging six rebounds and dishing out three assists over 30 minutes.

After a bumpy start to his professional career, Davis has turned a corner over the last couple weeks. Over his last four games, the rookie has averaged 12 points and 5.3 rebounds while playing 27.8 minutes per contest.

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Watch: Former Badger Herbig answers questions at NFL Combine

How does Nick Herbig feel heading into the 2023 NFL Combine?

Former Badger linebacker Nick Herbig entered his name into the NFL Draft following the 2022 season and he stepped up to the podium at the NFL Combine on Wednesday.

After he spent three seasons with Wisconsin, the 6-foot-2 athlete decided it was time to move on to the next level. He was one of three players from the 2022 roster to be invited to the combine, joining nose tackle Keeanu Benton and offensive lineman Joe Tippmann.

Herbig recorded 134 career tackles, including 21 sacks, while forcing forcing four fumbles over 31 contests with the Badgers. His unique speed off the edge is his calling card and could transition well to the NFL level.

Once drafted, Herbig will join his older brother Nate as the second NFL athlete in the family. Here’s what he had to say at the podium Wednesday: