Tag: Linebackers

Former Wisconsin linebacker captains Eagles to Super Bowl LIX appearance

Former Wisconsin linebacker captains Eagles defense to Super Bowl LIX appearance

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun flashed his brilliance in his fourth career NFL playoff game on Sunday.

Baun, who earned a spot on the coveted 2024 AP All-Pro first team, continued his outstanding 2025 postseason run against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.

A weekend after finishing with six tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 28-22 divisional-round win over the Los Angeles Rams, Baun tallied 12 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 55-23 win vs. Washington.

“It’s something that I’ll remember for my [whole] life,” Baun said after the win while holding his infant son.”We got one more to go. It’s really cool, and this is exciting… but we got work to do.”

As he did all season, Baun made an impact early for the Eagles. With roughly six minutes remaining in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, the linebacker forced Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown to fumble near Washington’s 45-yard line.

Philadelphia would go on to execute a six-play, 48-yard scoring drive to establish a 14-3 edge into the second quarter.

Baun would recover another Commanders’ fumble late in the third quarter to punctuate arguably his most impressive playoff game of his five-year NFL career. The 2024 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection will now head to his first Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Two former Wisconsin Badger linebackers set to square off in Super Bowl LIX

Two former Wisconsin Badger linebackers set to square off in Super Bowl LIX

Following three action-packed rounds of the 2025 NFL playoffs, two former Wisconsin Badgers will advance to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 9.

Entering Sunday, a total of five UW alumni suited up for the NFC or AFC Championship contests. In the early window, Washington Commanders offensive linemen Tyler Biadasz and Michael Deiter laced up for a match against the Philadelphia Eagles and former Badger linebacker Zack Baun.

Baun, fresh off his All-Pro regular season in his first campaign with Philadelphia, was the defense’s driving force in the Eagles’ 55-23 blowout win. The five-year NFL veteran finished with 12 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.

Baun will play in his first career Super Bowl, while it is the organization’s second in the last three seasons.

In the AFC championship game, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Leo Chenal defeated the Buffalo Bills and guard David Edwards in another thriller.

Chenal finished with two total tackles Chiefs’ narrow 32-29 win. Remarkably, Chenal will appear in his third consecutive Super Bowl. The Chiefs, led by all-time great quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have a chance to be the first team to ever win three straight Super Bowls.

Baun’s individual season is among the most outstanding across the league in 2024, while Chenal’s team is inarguably the most prolific of the past decade. In about two weeks, only one of the former Badger greats will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Former Wisconsin linebacker snags interception in Eagles playoff win over the Packers

Wisconsin Badger linebacker snags interception in Eagles playoff win over the Packers

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun starred in his third career NFL playoff game on Sunday.

Baun, who recently earned a spot on the 2024 AP All-Pro first team, continued his stellar play in the Eagles’ 22-10 Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Brown Deer, Wisconsin native logged eight total tackles, including four solo stops, as one of Philadelphia’s defensive cornerstones. His most impactful play, however, did not involve a tackle.

With 45 seconds remaining in the first half, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love dropped back in the pocket on a second-down sequence and heaved a ball down the middle of the field. Down just 10-0, the Packers possessed the ball at the Eagles’ 48-yard line and threatened to score.

Baun, who shifted over from the right hash, tracked down the pass and reeled in the football for his third career interception — first in the playoffs.

While Philadelphia ultimately did not capitalize on the ensuing possession, Baun prevented Love and the Packers from gaining any type of momentum prior to the half.

Love threw three total interceptions during the contest. The turnover to Baun was easily the most devastating.

Baun and the Eagles will continue their season next weekend against either the Los Angeles Rams or Minnesota Vikings.

Former Wisconsin linebacker named to AP NFL All-Pro first team

Former Wisconsin linebacker named AP First Team All-Pro

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun received yet another impressive accolade on Friday.

Baun, who represented the Badgers from 2015-19, was named to the 2024 AP All-Pro first team. He is one of three inside linebackers on the unit along with Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers) and Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens).

Other notable names on the unit include edge Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), edge Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), lineman Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) and cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos).

With the nomination, the Brown Deer, Wisconsin native becomes the 15th former Badger to earn NFL All-Pro status.

Baun did virtually everything for the Eagles this season. In 16 starts, the 28-year-old tallied 151 total tackles 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections and 3 1/2 sacks. With the output, he became the first player in NFL history to record at least 150 tackles and five forced fumbles in a single season.

ProFootballFocus also named Baun its ‘Breakout Player of the Year’ for the 2024 slate with a 90.1 overall grade, the highest among any linebacker in the league. On top of everything, Baun is also a Pro Bowler for the first time in his five-year career.

The most impressive part of Baun’s season revolves around his previous four years as a pro. After amassing 88 combined tackles and two sacks from 2020-23 with the New Orleans Saints, Baun shattered his previous career-high totals in historic fashion.

Fueled by Baun’s stellar play at inside linebacker, the Eagles defense finished the season leading the league in total defense (280.9 yards allowed per game) and third in points allowed per game (18.1). The NFC’s No. 2-seed will now square off against a dynamic Green Bay Packers offense on Jan. 12 in Philadelphia.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

Former Wisconsin linebacker named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 NFL ‘Breakout Player of the Year’

Former Wisconsin linebacker named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 NFL Breakout Player of the Year

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 ‘Breakout Player of the Year’ on Wednesday.

The honor is nowhere near surprising. After amassing 88 combined tackles and two sacks from 2020-23 with the New Orleans Saints, Baun emerged as the engine of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive unit in 2024.

Baun shattered his previous career bests with 151 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections and 3 1/2 sacks during the regular season. His 151 tackles were tied for the sixth-most in the NFL behind Zaire Franklin (Colts), Budda Baker (Cardinals), Robert Spillane (Raiders), Jamien Sherwood (Falcons) and Roquan Smith (Ravens).

The former Badger also pocketed a 90.1 PFF grade for his contributions leading an NFL-best defensive unit, the highest among any linebacker in the league. He and San Fransisco 49ers superstar Fred Warner were the two inside linebackers on the outlet’s First-Team All-Pro unit. To put that into context, Baun didn’t crack PFF’s top 32 linebacker power ranking before the season began.

Baun’s ascendance is inarguably the most impressive by any defensive player this season. The output earned him a Pro Bowl nod alongside fellow Badgers Andrew Van Ginkel and T.J. Watt.

His Eagles now sit at No. 2 in the NFC playoff picture prior, set to host the No. 7-seed Green Bay Packers in Wild Card Round.

Former Wisconsin linebacker named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Former Wisconsin linebacker named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Former Wisconsin linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of Week 16 on Tuesday.

Van Ginkel, who played at Wisconsin from 2017-18, earned the designation for his contributions in the Minnesota Vikings’ 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

In that contest, the UW alumnus recorded five tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and three QB hits. Those two sacks also led the conference in Week 16.

With the performance, the former Badger star became the second player since 1982 to record at least 10 sacks and two pick-sixes in a single season. The other: Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor with the Miami Dolphins in 2006.

Van Ginkel has notched 69 total tackles, 11.0 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, one forced fumble and five pass deflections in 15 starts in 2024. He’s also reeled in a pair of pick-sixes, which leads the NFL.

The Rock Valley, Iowa native joined Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey on the NFC ‘Players of the Week’ standouts from Week 16.

Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Vikings this offseason after five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He’s been worth every penny for Brian Flores’ defensive unit this season.

Van Ginkel joins Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor as former Badgers to receive ‘Player of the Week’ recognition this season.

Former Wisconsin linebacker joins elite company in win over Seahawks

Former Wisconsin linebacker joins elite company in win over Seahawks

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel joined elite company in Minnesota’s 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Van Ginkel tallied five total tackles and two sacks in the three-point win. The performance brought his season-long totals to 69 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions and five pass deflections.

With those numbers, the former Badger star became the second player since 1982 to record at least 10 sacks and two pick-sixes in a single season. The other — Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor with the Miami Dolphins in 2006.

Van Ginkel’s first sack arrived on 3rd-and-11 with Seattle attempting to morph a 20-17 deficit into a late edge. After Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith dropped back to pass, the former Badger took little time to get to the pass-thrower to force a six-yard loss.

The second sack quickly followed. On a first-down play at Minnesota’s 43-yard line, Smith scrambled to the right hash before being brought down by Van Ginkel for another six-yard loss. Seattle missed a field goal attempt on that possession before later coughing up an interception in the final sequence.

The former Badger received a substantial payday from the Vikings this offseason. He’s lived up to the contract and then some, and is now joining rare company.

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery signed with Illinois on Tuesday.

Lowery entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 after one year at Wisconsin. He commits to a Fighting Illini program that is fresh off a 9-3 2024 season. It is preparing to face No. 20 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida.

Prior to his stint with UW, Lowery played four seasons at Syracuse from 2020-23. He appeared in 29 games in that time and logged 77 total tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

The veteran pass-rusher did not translate that level of production to Wisconsin. During his lone season with the Badgers, he recorded 29 total tackles (18 solo), one tackle for loss and one sack.

Wisconsin’s outside linebacker room mostly struggled to pressure the quarterback in 2024. Lowery, alongside top outside linebackers Darryl Peterson, John Pius, Aaron Witt and Sebastian Cheeks, combined for 6 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. That lack of production was one reason the Wisconsin defense was unable to return to its pre-2023 form.

Lowery was one of Wisconsin’s first players to enter the portal when it opened in early December. He is set to play his final season of eligibility for a team that Wisconsin will face in 2025. The Fighting Illini visit the Badgers on Nov. 22, 2025, at Camp Randall. 

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker helps Bengals clinch ‘Monday Night Football’ win

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker helps Bengals clinch ‘Monday Night Football’ win

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker Maema Njongmeta recorded his first signature NFL highlight in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

The moment arrived in one of the most miraculous situations of the 2024 NFL season to date. Pinned at its 29-yard line with exactly two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and tied at 20, the Bengals lined up to punt.

As soon as punter Ryan Rehkow fielded the long snap, Cowboys special teamer Nick Vigil squeezed through Cincinnati’s offensive line and blocked the punt. The ball took a few big bounces toward Cowboys territory and glanced off a Dallas player before Njongmeta, who tracked the ball the whole way through, grabbed it at the Bengals’ 43-yard line.

The recovery handed the Bengals the football with a fresh opportunity to win the game. Joe Burrow and the offensive capitalized on a 40-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, clinching the 27-20 win.

Njongmeta hasn’t seen much action this season, but he certainly made the most of it. He may have missed the block on Vigil on the initial punt, but he didn’t give up.

This same mentality netted the UW alumnus a spot on the Bengals’ 53-man roster in late August. In three preseason games, the two-year starter at Wisconsin notched 29 total tackles, 18 solo tackles, two pass deflections and respectable special teams play to elevate to the 53-man.

Since then, Njongmeta has logged eight total tackles and five solo tackles for Zac Taylor’s team in 12 games. Most of his time comes during special teams action.

At Wisconsin, Njongmeta totaled 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and three fumble recoveries during his tenure in Madison. His opportunities could grow following the highlight.

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues All-Pro campaign in Eagles’ ninth straight win

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues All-Pro campaign in Eagles’ ninth straight win

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun bolstered his All-Pro campaign in the Eagles’ 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Baun registered 11 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hits in the win, captaining the Eagles’ defense alongside fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean.

He also recorded an overall grade of 89.3, the highest mark of any Eagles defender.

As he has almost every week, Baun made several show-stopping plays for Vic Fangio’s defensive unit. His first big-time sequence came with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

On third-and-seven, Baun burst through the right side of Carolina’s offensive line and tracked down a scrambling Young for a solo sack to force a punt and flip in possession.

In 13 starts, Baun has now logged 129 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three pass deflections. If he adds 47 more tackles to his 2024 total, he would double his combined tackle output from his previous four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-23.

While quarterback Jalen Hurts, superstar running back Saquon Barkley and dynamic wide receiver A.J. Brown garner most of the media attention on the Eagles, Baun is orchestrating arguably the best season of any linebacker in the NFL this season.

The Eagles sit at 11-2 and rival the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills as the best team in the NFL. Without Baun, the Eagles might not be a part of that conversation.

The team’s next match is slated for Dec. 15 vs. Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers.