Tag: Jake Ferguson

Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson leads the nation in this stat according to PFF

On Monday morning, Pro Football Focus tweeted out a statistic ranking the most career broken tackles by returning tight ends in college football. Jake Ferguson led college football in this stat with 17 career broken tackles.

On Monday morning, Pro Football Focus tweeted out a statistic ranking the most career broken tackles by returning tight ends in college football. Jake Ferguson led college football in this stat with 17 career broken tackles.

The others that made the list are Matt Bushman from BYU with 15, Peyton Hendershot from Indiana with 14,  Brevin Jordan from Miami with 12, and lastly Pat Freiermuth from Penn State with 10.

Jake Ferguson has become a security blanket for Wisconsin quarterbacks in his time with the Badgers and has racked up 63 receptions for 804 yards and six touchdowns in his two-year career.

Ferguson has mainly been used as a blocking tight end for Jonathan Taylor thus far, but expectations for the junior tight end are high because of his naming to the watch list for the John Mackey Award. Jake Ferguson will have to step up this season to carry the offense for Wisconsin that will be losing its leading receiver and rusher from last year.

If you would like to read more about Jake Ferguson, and his naming to the John Mackey Award Watch List, click here.

A way-too-early look at Wisconsin’s 2021 NFL Draft prospects

TheDraftNetwork.com took no time releasing their way-too-early 2021 NFL Draft big board when last week’s draft concluded. Sometimes you…

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TheDraftNetwork.com took no time releasing their way-too-early 2021 NFL Draft big board when last week’s draft concluded.

Sometimes you have players like Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Biadasz who are sure-fire NFL players even entering a season. On the other hand, sometimes you have a player like Zack Baun that wasn’t on the NFL draft radar before he experienced a break-out senior season.

The Badgers should have some of both in 2020, as there are several names on TheDraftNetwork’s 2021 big board and many others who have a shot at joining that list.

First, here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as no-doubt NFL draft prospects entering the 2020 season.

 

Linebacker Jack Sanborn (No. 72 overall on TDN’s big board)

Sanborn will be a junior in 2020 so it isn’t a sure thing that he enters the 2021 NFL Draft.

Regardless, Sanborn is coming off a team-high 80 tackles and three interceptions in 2019 and is still improving at a rapid pace.

Even if it isn’t until 2022, Sanborn will hear his name called on draft day.

 

Tight end Jake Ferguson (No. 90 overall on TDN’s big board)

Maybe a bit of a surprise?

Ferguson is coming off a 33-catch, 407-yard season, good for second-best on the team in both categories behind now-Detroit Lion wide receiver Quintez Cephus.

Once the man filling the shoes of current NFL tight end Troy Fumagalli, Ferguson has finished second on the team in receptions two straight years and is molding into a really good receiving tight end in addition to excelling, as many Badgers do, as a blocker.

Ferguson, like Sanborn, is not entering his final season of eligibility in 2020 but were he to enter the draft after the season he projects as a fringe third round prospect.

 

Here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as more questionable 2021 NFL Draft prospects.

 

Safety Eric Burrell (No. 158 overall on TDN’s big board)

Burrell broke onto the scene in 2018 and became the team’s 6th-leading tackler as a starter at safety opposite current Tampa Bay Buccaneer D’Cota Dixon.

In 2019 the Maryland native improved again as the leader of the secondary as he was the team’s 5th-leading tackler to go along with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The senior returns to an experienced and talented secondary unit in Madison and, according to TDN, has a real chance at playing at the next level.

 

Left tackle Cole Van Lanen (No. 181 overall on TDN’s big board)

Van Lanen is thought of as a sure-fire NFL prospect though has been overshadowed a bit by the other NFL talent along the Wisconsin offensive line during the past few years.

The analysts at TDN mention how the left tackle “is an absolute load coming off the snap. He’s got natural power for days thanks to his foot drive and mass, once he’s able to create any level of forward push, he’s consistent in his efforts to continue to balloon the point of attack,” and how “he’s going to be a natural in the run game at the next level.”

As the 2020 season progresses expect Van Lanen to shoot up draft boards and into one of the top tiers at his position.

 

Finally, here’s who TheDraftNetwork lists as questionable/fringe 2021 draft prospects and who I believe are other names to watch as the season progresses

Isaiahh Loudermilk (No. 232 overall)

Logan Bruss (No. 244 overall)

Jack Coan (No. 305 overall)

Garrett Rand (Unranked)

Caesar Williams (Unranked)

Danny Davis (Unranked)

 

 

Post-draft outlook: who will fill the roles of the departed Badgers?

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season…

Though the season is still five months away, it’s never too early to look ahead to how the Badgers will line up to start the season.

The biggest question mark year-to-year, understandably, is who will step in for the former players who either finished their four years of eligibility or declared early for the NFL Draft.

This year more than any in recent memory, it seems, coach Paul Chryst will need to replace the majority of both his offensive and defensive production from last season.

That production includes more than 2000 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 1153 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns combined between offensive stars Jonathan Taylor and Quintez Cephus in addition to 153 tackles, 33.5 tackles-for-loss, 24 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception combined between defensive stars Chris Orr and Zack Baun.

Additionally, with a less-quantifiable position group, Chryst will need to replace three starters along his offensive line including projected 4th-round pick Tyler Biadasz and NFL hopeful Jason Erdmann.

There isn’t only bad news heading into the 2020 season, though, as the team welcomes back starting quarterback Jack Coan, productive wide receivers Kendric Pryor and Danny Davis, tight end Jake Ferguson, talented defensive linemen Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk, a tackling machine at linebacker in Jack Sanborn and the entire secondary from 2019.

The talent is there for another successful campaign, but the team will no doubt need players to fill the roles of those gone to the NFL.

 

Running Back

Filling Taylor’s collegiate production is an impossible task. What Chryst and the Badgers can hope to do, though, is find a consistent option to complement Garrett Groshek in the backfield and continue the string of success they’ve had at the position.

The two options to fill that role are redshirt sophomore Nakia Watson and top recruit Jalen Berger.

Watson carried the ball 74 times last season for 331 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role. The Texas native was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2018 and has the talent to succeed if given the starting role.

The other option, Berger, will be a true freshman this fall but is ranked as the No. 12 running back recruit in the nation and has the talent to become the next great Badger in the backfield.

If Berger redshirts this season expect the backfield to be led by Watson and a classic third-down back in Groshek. If Berger does not redshirt and sees the field Day 1, as Jonathan Taylor did during his freshman year, expect Berger to start the next era of success in the Badger backfield.

 

Wide Receiver

Though Cephus decided to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft and A.J. Taylor is finished with his four years of eligibility, the Badgers still return three solid receiving threats in Pryor, Davis and Jack Dunn.

Had Aron Cruikshank not transferred to Rutgers during the offseason, Chryst would actually be set to enter 2020 with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the Big Ten.

Pryor, Davis and Dunn all returning paired with an incoming three-star recruit in Chimere Dike points towards a productive year at wide receiver for the Badgers even without the services of Cephus, A.J. Taylor and Cruikshank.

 

Offensive Line

The offensive line seems to be the position that Chryst never has trouble rejuvenating and reloading from year to year.

The Badger coach now moves forward to 2020 without 2019 starters Biadasz, Erdmann and David Moorman but does return the likes of Cole Van Lanen, Logan Bruss, Tyler Beach, Josh Seltzner, Kayden Lyles and former five-star recruit Logan Brown and welcomes in a four-star recruit in Jack Nelson.

The starting five on the line should look something like Van Lanen and Bruss at the tackle positions, Lyles and Seltzner at the guard spots and either Blake Smithback or Joe Tippmann at center, though it is unclear at the moment who will take over at center for Biadasz.

Though Logan Brown is not in line to start yet in 2020 he is somebody worth keeping an eye on as he came to Wisconsin as the second-best prospect in program history and as an surefire future first round pick.

 

Linebacker

Orr and Baun, as I outlined earlier, combined for a remarkable season in 2019.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will now look to the junior Sanborn to take over for Orr as the leader of the defense at middle linebacker and to Noah Burks to take over Baun’s role at outside linebacker.

Both Burks and Sanborn had starting roles 2019 so there are still holes behind them in the depth chart going forward to 2020. The most likely players to fill these roles and start for Leonhard in 2020 are Leo Chenal at middle linebacker and Izayah Green-May at outside linebacker, though the outside linebacker position is still wide open as summer preparation is close to getting underway.

 

The key to success in college football is being able to develop players throughout their four years in college yet have a system in place that is able to move forward once those players graduate and fill their roles at a high level. Chryst has shown a clear ability to do this thus far during his tenure and 2020 should be no exception.

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Spring Position Preview: Tight Ends

Examining Wisconsin’s tight end position group as the Badgers begin spring football practice.

Spring football allows for head coach Paul Chryst to not have to worry about preparing for a game. Instead, it allows him to teach the game of football and continue to develop the players on Wisconsin’s roster as they prepare for the 2020 season. Chryst will have 15 practices beginning March 22 to help his team improve and build on what they accomplished during the 2019 season.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will break down the tight end position for Wisconsin as it heads into spring practice.

Spring Tight End Roster

Clay Cundiff (redshirt freshman), Jack Eschenbach (redshirt sophomore), Jake Ferguson (redshirt junior), Gabe Lloyd (redshirt senior), Hayden Rucci (redshirt freshman), Coy Wanner (redshirt junior)

What we know going into spring practice

Wisconsin was hit hard by injuries a season ago but the Badgers entering spring practice are healthy, which will give tight ends coach Mickey Turner and Chryst a much better idea of what they have at the tight end position.

Ferguson was able to build off of his successful redshirt freshman season as his 33 receptions and 407 receiving yards ranked second on the team a season ago. Considering how much Wisconsin relied on Ferguson a season ago as a receiver and a blocker and what he still was able to accomplish within Wisconsin’s offense is impressive.

Ferguson was able to improve as a blocker as he was more consistent in this area and spring football will once again serve as an opportunity for him to better his all-around game as he tries to prove why he’s one of the better tight ends in the Big Ten.

After Ferguson, it is a bit of an unknown. The Badgers have some talented options as it is a matter of the rest of the tight ends starting to put it together and spring will be important for the entire tight ends room development.

One of the bigger obstacles for each tight end in Wisconsin’s program they face is learning the blocking responsibilities. If the younger tight ends on Wisconsin’s roster can demonstrate consistency in this area they’ll set themselves up for the right to earn reps when the Badgers do begin fall camp.

What we hope to find out following spring practice

Growth from the position and whether or not Turner and Chryst feel like the tight ends were able to improve over the course of spring football.

The tight ends are a big part of Wisconsin’s offense and the need for them to be consistent in the passing game, in addition to blocking is critical for the success of Wisconsin’s offense.

Although there are unknowns behind Ferguson, Hayden Rucci and Clay Cundiff will get plenty of opportunities over spring football. Rucci brings a toughness to the tight end position as he’s demonstrated his ability to block and catch and Cundiff needs to continue to improve as a blocker.

It is a matter of Rucci and Cundiff shoring up their weakness while continuing to improve on where they have had success. They will have plenty of opportunities to continue to get better as there is time to be earned on the field and the play by those two will be important in the success of Wisconsin’s tight ends.

Another tight end to keep an eye on is redshirt sophomore Jack Eschenbach who will be going through his second spring practice.

Eschenbach received some time a season ago during the nonconference portion of the schedule because of the injuries at the tight end position. As Wisconsin coaches like the potential of Eschenbach. He still may be a year away from being a contributor but because of his size as he’s listed at 6’6″ and 224 pounds could become a threat down the road but he needs to continue to add strength to his frame in order to hold up over conference play.

Projecting Wisconsin’s Spring Offensive Depth Chart

Who is projected to start on offense when the Badgers open spring camp.

Wisconsin’s offense in 2020 will certainly have a different feel to it considering the Badgers lost three key players on the offensive side of the football in running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, and center Tyler Biadasz as all three declared early for the NFL Draft. Despite the departures from those three players, the Badgers do return six offensive starters from 2019.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we project what the spring depth chart on offense will look like when the Badgers open up spring practice.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Quarterback: 1. Jack Coan, 2. Graham Mertz, 3. Chase Wolf, 4. Danny Vanden Boom

Jack Coan will open spring football as the projected starter for Wisconsin and until he gives Paul Chryst a reason why he shouldn’t be starting for Wisconsin he’ll remain atop the depth chart throughout spring and when fall camp opens. Graham Mertz is certainly talented enough to challenge Coan for the starting position but the key for Mertz is building off of his first year at Wisconsin and consistently stringing together successful practices. This will be Mertz’s second spring football. Chase Wolf will be competing to be the top backup. Mertz and Wolf were listed as co-backups to Coan last season but if Coan would have had to leave the game due to an injury it would have been Mertz to fill in the place of Coan. Making it an important spring for Wolf to continue to improve upon his quarterback mechanics. Danny Vanden Boom played in three games as a redshirt freshman in 2018 but didn’t appear in a game last season.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Running Back: 1. Garrett Groshek, 2. Nakia Watson, 3. Isaac Guerendo, 4. Brady Schipper, 5. Julius Davis

Highly touted and consensus four-star running back Jalen Berger won’t arrive until this summer. In the meantime, it will be up to Garrett Groshek and Nakia Watson to show they’re capable of filling the giant shoes that are being left behind in two-time Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor. Watson (74-331-2) finished the season with more carries and more rushing yards than Groshek (42-194-2). But Watson over Wisconsin’s last two games didn’t register a carry as he’ll need to show he can take on a larger role in the offense during spring practice. Groshek is trusted by the coaches as he’s the most experienced running back returning as he has shown his capability as a receiver but also holding up in pass blocking too. How Guerendo, Schipper, and Davis figure into the running back picture in 2020 will still be determined but how they play over spring football will go a long way in terms of how many reps they receive once fall camp begins.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Fullback: 1. Mason Stokke, 2. John Chenal, 3. Quan Easterling

Mason Stokke and John Chenal split reps at fullback in 2019 and that should continue unless Stokke or Chenal take complete command over the role as starting fullback. Both had their moments in 2019 where they succeeded but Stokke’s best statistical game came against Minnesota when he registered 14 yards rushing on two carries and had three catches for 30 yards. Quan Easterling redshirted in 2019 but did appear in one game against Illinois due to Stokke missing the game because of an injury.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Wide Receiver: 1. Kendric Pryor, 2. Danny Davis, 3. Jack Dunn, 4. Adam Krumholz, 5. A.J. Abbott, 6. Stephan Bracey

Wisconsin’s depth chart at the wide receiver position figured it would have Cephus and Aron Cruickshank but with Cephus entering the draft and Cruickshank transferring to Rutgers the depth at wide receiver took a hit. But the Badgers still have enough depth to absorb those losses. It helps that Wisconsin returns Kendric Pryor and Danny Davis. Between the two Davis finished with more receptions than Pryor (30-to-23) but Pryor finished with 278 receiving yards to Davis’ 250. Both of their roles should expand entering the 2020 season and with more opportunities, the duo should be able to respond. Behind Davis and Pryor will be Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz. Two of Wisconsin’s better run blockers at the wide receiver position. Abbott appeared in seven games a year ago mostly on special teams or in mop-up duty while Bracey redshirted but he did travel with the team for road games at times.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Tight End: 1. Jake Ferguson, 2. Cormac Sampson, 3. Jack Eschenbach 

Ferguson will return as the Badgers top tight end as he has improved over the past two years and that should continue for Ferguson as his 33 receptions for 407 yards ranked second in both categories. Sampson took on a larger role than previously expected for Wisconsin in 2019 as he served as Wisconsin’s blocking tight end and had success as he’ll be projected to fill that role again in 2020. Eschenbach a walk-on is a player the coaches are high on but he’ll need to continue to put it all together. A pair of redshirt freshman Hayden Rucci and Clay Cundiff will compete for a spot on the depth chart as the duo have important springs ahead of them as they continue to grow into the tight end position.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Offensive Line: LT Cole Van Lanen, LG Josh Seltzner, C Kayden Lyles, RG Logan Bruss, RT Tyler Beach

Wisconsin lost three starters from its 2019 offensive line all coming on the interior in guards David Moorman and Jason Erdman and center Tyler Biadasz. Who ultimately starts along the offensive line when the Badgers open up the season against Indiana won’t be determined until fall camp. As spring will serve as an opportunity for offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Joe Rudolph to use a variety of different combinations along the offensive line. But what is listed above seems to make the most sense with what Rudolph will roll out to start with and go from there when he tries out different line combinations. Lyles and Seltzner both started four games a season ago at left and right guard respectively. Lyles is capable of sliding over to center and with Bruss being capable of sliding over to guard will allow for Tyler Beach to start at right tackle.

Wisconsin Football Season Review: Tight Ends

How did Wisconsin’s tight ends do over the course of the 2019 season?

Wisconsin finished its fifth season under head coach Paul Chryst as Chryst improved his overall record to 52-16 and has a posted a 34-10 record in conference games. After not winning the Big Ten West Division title in 2018 the Badgers were back in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game as the West representative for the fourth time in the last six years since the Big Ten went to its current format.

In this Badgers Wire feature we will examine the play of Wisconsin’s tight ends from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:

Wisconsin’s tight ends were hit hard by injuries in 2019.

Considering the Badgers only had two healthy tight ends at their disposal during the 2019 season. Luckily, Jake Ferguson or Cormac Sampson didn’t add their names to the injury list at the tight end position.

Tight ends coach Mickey Turner lost Luke Benzschawel and Gabe Lloyd both for the season during fall camp. Benzschawel was expected to be the number two tight end behind Ferguson. Lloyd who has appeared in 21 career games was expected to be a contributor as well.

In an attempt to absorb those two losses Zander Neuville was granted a sixth year of eligibility. However, Neuville like Benzschawel and Lloyd was lost for the season in early September before he could officially make his return to the team.

With Ferguson and Sampson being relied on so heavily over the 2019 season the two held up well. Ferguson finished the season second on the team in both receptions (33) and receiving yards (407) and had two touchdowns.

Ferguson for the second consecutive season caught at least one pass in every single game this season as he now has 69 career catches in 27 career games.

Sampson didn’t register a catch nor was he targeted in the passing game as his primary responsibility came in the run game. Sampson did well of helping open up running lanes for Jonathan Taylor and the rest of the backs. Sampson was able to help fill in the void of Benzschawel, Lloyd, and Neuville as the three were all going to be counted on as run blockers before they were lost for the season.

Redshirt freshman Jack Eschenbach appeared in four games at tight end. Eschenbach a walk-on from Downers Grove, Ill still needs to develop but gaining that playing experience this past year will help with his growth and confidence when the Badgers begin spring football.

2020 Wisconsin Tight Ends

Ferguson will continue to develop at tight end and with Wisconsin set to get back both Benzschawel and Lloyd at tight end in 2020 the Badgers depth should be a lot better at the position. In addition, spring football will be important for both Hayden Rucci and Clay Cundiff as both redshirted this past season. Cundiff only appeared in one game last year against Central Michigan but both will need to be consistent in all areas of what Turner asks from his tight ends in order for them to possibly see the field consistently. In addition the Badgers will add a pair of true freshman in Cam Large and Cole Dakovich to the tight end room.

Grading Wisconsin’s 28-27 Loss to Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game

What grades did Wisconsin earn in their 28-27 loss to Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game?

Grading No. 8 Wisconsin’s 28-27 loss to No. 6 Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game.

Offense: D

Four turnovers.

Simply put Wisconsin beat themselves on offense at times. Four turnovers all occurring in Wisconsin territory was a killer as Oregon turned Wisconsin’s miscues into 21 points.

Wisconsin fumbled the football three times as Jonathan Taylor, Danny Davis, and Anthony Lotti all lost fumbles while Jack Coan threw an interception.

The dagger came when Davis fumbled the football in the fourth quarter on a jet sweep as the fumble was forced by Rose Bowl Defensive MVP Brady Breeze and was recovered by Bryson Young. Oregon only needed one play to take the lead for good as Oregon’s quarterback Justin Herbert registered a 30-yard rushing touchdown with 7:41 to go in the game.

Davis was also called for an offensive pass interference call on Wisconsin’s last offensive possession of the game, which wiped out a first down catch by Jake Ferguson on third down. Wisconsin’s ensuing offensive play resulted in an incompletion on third and 20 forcing the Badgers to punt the football away with 2:54 to go in the game.

Davis’ 19 yards rushing was second on the team behind Taylor’s 94 yards rushing on 21 carries. Taylor’s 94 yards put him over 2,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season joining Iowa State’s Troy Davis (1995, 1996). Taylor also added 43 yards receiving on two receptions.

Taylor struggled to get into a rhythm on offense as the Ducks defense did well of containing him as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry as his longest rush was 18 yards against the Ducks defense.

With Oregon doing well of keeping contain of Taylor on the ground meant Coan attempted 35 passes, which was a season-high. Overall Coan finished the game 23-for-35 for 186 yards and one touchdown pass to Quintez Cephus.

Two of Coan’s favorite targets were Cephus (7-59-1) and Ferguson (4-44) as the two combined to catch 11 passes for 103 yards. Overall eight players caught a pass for the Badgers as half of the players who caught a pass registered at least three or more receptions.

Wisconsin’s offense at times struggled to get into a rhythm early in the game as the Badgers defense was able to set Wisconsin’s offense up with good field position when Jack Sanborn intercepted a pass giving the Badgers offense the football back at Oregon’s 27-yard line. But Oregon’s defense stepped up and was able to get off the field after three plays forcing for Wisconsin to settle for a field goal to give the Badgers a 10-7 lead. 

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Three Wisconsin Players Named to All-Big Ten Offensive Team

Three players for Wisconsin were named to All-Big Ten Offensive teams on Wednesday. Jonathan Taylor RB, Tyler Biadasz C, Cole Van Lanen LT

After the Big Ten Conference released its All-Big Ten defensive team and special teams selections on Tuesday it was the offenses turn on Wednesday.

Not surprising Wisconsin was well represented as for the third straight year running back Jonathan Taylor was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection. In addition, Taylor for a second consecutive year was awarded the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year.

Center Tyler Biadasz joined Taylor as a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection while starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen was named to the second-team All-Big Ten by the media but was an honorable selection by the coaches.

Taylor, like he has throughout his career at Wisconsin, has been able to terrorize opposing Big Ten defenses as through Big Ten play he has rushed for 1,338 yards on 225 carries and has rushed for 11 touchdowns. Taylor entering this year was strictly known as a runner but he was able to prove that he’s capable as a receiver too as he finished the regular season with 201 receiving yards on 22 catches and five touchdowns.

In order for Taylor to have success, it began with the performances of Biadasz, Van Lanen, along with the rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line. In particular, Biadasz and Van Lanen helped anchor Wisconsin’s offensive line and helped pave the way for Wisconsin to average 417.4 yards of total offense over conference play as 238.4 of those yards came on the ground.

Other Wisconsin players to receive honorable mentions on offense were right tackle Logan Bruss, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, and tight end Jake Ferguson were consensus honorable mention selections. Jack Coan was an honorable mention selection by the media.