Tag: Garrett Groshek

WATCH: Former Wisconsin RB Garrett Groshek scores in the USFL Division Championship

Garrett Groshek found the end zone in the USFL Divisional Round

Former Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek is still finding his way into a steady roster spot in the NFL.

The former Badger signed with the Raiders after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, though he was waived by the team in late August. He then spent one week on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad later that year before being released.

The USFL presents a golden opportunity at second chances for those not to make NFL rosters out of college. Groshek got his chance, as the Pittsburgh Maulers selected him in the 27th round of the 2022 USFL Draft.

The former Badger running back is one of six Wisconsin products on the Maulers, alongside G Jon Dietzen, FB Mason Stokke, DE Izayah Green-May and DL Olive Sagapolu. The group is set to play in the 2023 USFL Championship Game after the Maulers defeated the Michigan Panthers in overtime in the North Division Championship.

Groshek was a big part of the win, totaling 32 rushing yards on 14 carries, 38 receiving yards on two receptions and one touchdown.

Groshek and his fellow Maulers teammates will look to capture the league’s title game next weekend before attempting again to make an NFL roster.

WATCH: Former Wisconsin RB Garrett Groshek’s stiff arm in the USFL

Watch former Wisconsin RB Garrett Groshek’s stiff arm in his second USFL game:

On Saturday afternoon, former Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek played in his second game for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL. Groshek recorded over 77 yards rushing and showcased a strong stiff arm that left his defender on the ground in their 30-23 loss.

Related: Wisconsin is one of two teams to drop out of ESPN’s latest Way-Too-Early Top 25

The Amherst Junction, Wis., native was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2021 but was later cut during training camp. After spending last season on the Vikings’ practice squad, Groshek was drafted in the 27th-round of the USFL Draft by the Maulers this year.

It is impressive to see the former Badgers making the most of his chances at the next level, and hopefully, this opportunity with the USFL can propel Groshek to another shot on an NFL roster.

A former Wisconsin RB signs with Minnesota Vikings practice squad

A former Wisconsin RB signs to the Vikings practice squad

Another former Wisconsin Badger running back has made his way back to the NFL. Wisconsin native Garrett Groshek signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on Tuesday morning after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft and spending the summer with the Las Vegas Raiders in training camp.

The Vikings are listing Groshek as a fullback, and he will hope to make a solid impression in a practice squad role.

Groshek started his Badger career as a walk-on, appearing in 14 games as a redshirt freshman during the 2017 season. His Wisconsin career spanned from 2017-2020, as he took on a lead running back role by necessity late into his senior campaign. In 41 games at Wisconsin, he totaled 235 carries for 1,116 yards.

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.

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Twitter reacts to the alternative Wisconsin football uniforms for the Notre Dame game

Earlier today, Wisconsin football released their new alternative uniforms that will be worn in the Shamrock Series game against the Notre…

Earlier today, Wisconsin football released their new alternative uniforms that will be worn in the Shamrock Series game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this season at Soldier Field.

Related: WATCH: Wisconsin football releases new uniform ahead of Notre Dame matchup

The clean all-white design definitely stands out, and the Camp Randall Arch-inspired design features the history of the state of Wisconsin. The W-logo on the helmet features the state motto of “Forward” in addition to key aspects of the Camp Randall Arch being highlighted throughout the uniform.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions to the new uniforms:

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Wisconsin RB Garrett Groshek signs with the Las Vegas Raiders

Groshek signs with an NFL team

Former Wisconsin Badger RB Garrett Groshek did not have to wait long for his phone to ring following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL draft.

The former high-school quarterback at Amherst started his Badger career as a QB before making the switch to RB. He is now headed to the Las Vegas Raiders as reported yesterday by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

Groshek joins a Raider backfield that already includes former Badger FB Alec Ingold.

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Rivals links Wisconsin football with former 4-star Clemson RB

In an article by Mike Farrell of Rivals, he links the Wisconsin Badgers with former Clemson running back and 247sports 4-star Chez Mellusi.

In an article released by Mike Farrell of Rivals, Farrell links the Wisconsin Badgers with former Clemson running back and 247Sports four-star recruit Chez Mellusi. Mellusi entered his name into the transfer portal yesterday after spending two years with the Tigers.

Mellusi signed to Clemson in 2019 and rushed for 427 yards in his career on 71 carries. The Naples, Florida, native rushed for only 151 yards in his second season on 27 carries, compared to 276 yards on 44 carries in his freshman season.

Farrell mentioned Purdue, Wisconsin, Liberty, UCF, Louisville and Vanderbilt are pursuing Mellusi, but “right now it is the Badgers that are the most aggressive, and they are certainly attractive to running backs.”

Mellusi would provide key depth alongside Jalen Berger to a Wisconsin backfield that lost Garret Groshek and Nakia Watson this offseason.

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Nine former Wisconsin Badgers will work out at the program’s Pro Day this week

The Wisconsin Badgers are holding their annual Pro Day on Wednesday, the event giving players a chance to work out in front of NFL scouts

The Wisconsin Badgers are holding their annual Pro Day on Wednesday, the event giving players a chance to work out in front of NFL scouts before April’s draft.

This year the Pro Day holds more significance than usual because there isn’t a traditional NFL Combine. The two players that were invited—LT Cole Van Lanen and CB Rachad Wildgoose—will instead attend the virtual combine and do their workouts on Wednesday.

Related: Film Room: What should we expect to see from the 2021 Wisconsin Badger offense?

This year is also different in that every participating senior had the opportunity to stay at school and play in 2021. While many factors weighed into each player’s decision, this won’t be the normal scene of graduated Badgers testing the NFL waters because their college careers came to an end.

Here are the nine former Badgers who will work out at the program’s Pro Day this week:

A Wisconsin senior RB is headed to the NFL draft

The Badgers lose a senior RB to the NFL

As Badgers continue to make their decisions about next season, Wisconsin’s starting RB in 2020 has chosen to head to the NFL draft.

After a career 2020 season, RB Garrett Groshek has decided to not come back for a sixth year in Madison. He ran for 300 yards on 67 carries, averaging over 4.5 yards per carry with a pair of rushing touchdowns in a shortened 2020 campaign.

The news was first reported by Scott Williams on Twitter:

With news of Groshek headed to the NFL, Wisconsin’s 2021 RB room will be fully lead by rising sophomore Jalen Berger who averaged 5 yards per carry on 60 carries a year ago.

Film room: Five things that stood out from the Badgers’ victory over Minnesota

While reviewing film from Wisconsin football’s 20-17 victory against Minnesota a few things stood out, including Graham Mertz’s continued…

The Wisconsin Badgers’ ended their regular season on a high note Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 20-17 in overtime and retaining possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

There was a lot to take away from the contest, including the play of inside linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, Graham Mertz’s continued struggles and the play of key seniors.

Related: Studs and duds from the Badgers’ 20-17 victory over Minnesota

In the end, it’s an impressive win for a team that has overcome a lot this season. It is also a win that helps them carry momentum into their Bowl Game and hopefully into next season.

Related: Will Wisconsin QB Jack Coan stay in the Big Ten? A few landing spots could make sense

Today I went through Saturday’s film and highlighted key plays and miscues by both teams.

Here are five things that stuck out from Wisconsin’s overtime victory: