The Wisconsin Badgers’ leading tacklers from the 2021 season:
In 2021, the Wisconsin Badgers’ defense was one of the best in the country and was able to shut down its opponents with physical and suffocating defense.
A huge part of this fantastic defense was the Badgers’ ability to wrap up, especially behind the line of scrimmage. This article is going to look at some of the Badgers’ leading tacklers from last season, who helped to make this defense so dominant.
There are several notable players included in the Badgers’ most prolific tacklers from last season like linebackers Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, as well as safety Scott Nelson.
Below are the Wisconsin Badgers’ leading tacklers from 2021:
Two Badgers from last season lead PFF’s ranking of the highest-graded Wisconsin pass rushers since 2016:
On Tuesday afternoon, Pro Football Focus ranked Wisconsin football’s highest-graded pass rushers since 2016 and two Badgers from last season topped the list.
Linebackers Leo Chenal and Nick Herbig top the ranking for Wisconsin after leading one of the nation’s top defenses last season. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt, was ranked third by PFF with a 91.0 grade from his 2016 season with the Badgers.
Even when compared to some of Wisconsin’s phenomenal defenses over the last few seasons, last year’s squad continues to show how dominant they were. Although Leo Chenal is heading to the NFL Draft, the Badgers will still be returning Nick Herbig next season.
Highest pass rush grades in a season for a Wisconsin defender since 2016
🥇 Leo Chenal (’21): 91.8 🥈 Nick Herbig (’21): 91.4 🥉 T.J. Watt (’16): 91.0 pic.twitter.com/cNNDd4FFDI
Five players that boosted their stock during spring football practice:
Spring football has officially come to a close for the Wisconsin Badgers, who wrapped up their spring evaluation period last Friday night.
Head coach Paul Chryst made a significant amount of changes along the coaching staff this offseason, so this initial installation period allowed those coaches their first real look at their respective position groups.
UW essentially has players competing for meaningful snaps at every position heading into fall camp. The offense lost six preferred starters from last season, while the nation’s top defensive unit needs to replace eight starters of their own in 2022.
Spring football is about trying new things, generating competition, and forcing players out of their comfort zones.
So, it’s important that fans understand no starting positions are going to be won in the spring. However, it can lead to additional opportunities once camp opens in the fall.
Today, we’re going to examine five players that boosted their stock during the Badgers 15 spring practices:
Nick Herbig seen as a top returning edge defender in college football
After a fantastic 2021 sophomore campaign, Nick Herbig is expected to lead a 2022 Wisconsin defense that is losing a number of key pieces.
Herbig was essential to Wisconsin’s highly-rated defense, as his ability to get to the quarterback changed games for the Badgers. The Hawaii native finished the season with 9 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.
The Wisconsin Badgers finished the dress on on a high note in the Las Vegas Bowl. Here are the game balls.
Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (9-4) found a way to end their roller-coaster season on a high note – with a 20-13 victory over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
UW had a 20-13 lead over Arizona State with 9:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, what happened next was slow and methodical.
The offense would take over on their own 3 yard line and finish the game with an 18 play, 90 yard drive that ran out the clock.
The Grit Factory turned in one last strong performance, holding Arizona State to 13 points and just 219 total yards (4.1 yards per play).
So, without further ado, it’s time to hand out game balls from the Las Vegas Bowl.
Offense: Braelon Allen
Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) is named Most Valuable Player of the Las Vegas Bowl after the Badgers defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 20-13 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Braelon Allen capped off his stellar freshman season with 29 carries for 159 yards rushing (5.5 YPC).
Allen finished with 3 carries of 10+ yards, and 100 yards rushing after contact. It was another great showing for the Wisconsin native, making him a no brainer selection for Las Vegas Bowl MVP.
Defense: Nick Herbig
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Linebacker Nick Herbig #19 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts from the sideline following a play against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Sophomore outside linebacker finished a breakout season with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
Perhaps the most impressive feat was the 7 total pressures in his 18 reps as a pass rusher. Nick Herbig showed exactly why many are already viewing him as the programs next superstar edge rusher.
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The Badgers showed this talent individually by having two players ranked in the top 15 in tackles for loss per game last season in the Bi…
Wisconsin football has become known throughout the Big Ten for its dominant defensive play, and despite some struggles this season, the Badgers were still ranked as one of the best defensive units in the country.
The Badgers showed their exceptional performance through two players ranked in the top 15 in tackles for loss per game last season in the Big Ten. True freshman outside linebacker Nick Herbig and inside linebacker Leo Chanel were some of the best in the Big Ten last season at causing chaos in the backfield of their opponents, and it will be exciting to see what they can do in a full season in 2021.
Below is the ranking of the top 15 players in tackles for loss per game from the Big Ten Conference 2020 season. Players from Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Rutgers, Purdue and Northwestern made the rankings.
The Badgers showed this talent individually by having two players ranked in the top 15 in tackles for loss per game last season in the Bi…
Wisconsin football has become known throughout the Big Ten for its dominant defensive play, and despite some struggles this season, the Badgers were still ranked as one of the best defensive units in the country.
The Badgers showed their exceptional performance through two players ranked in the top 15 in tackles for loss per game last season in the Big Ten. True freshman outside linebacker Nick Herbig and inside linebacker Leo Chanel were some of the best in the Big Ten last season at causing chaos in the backfield of their opponents, and it will be exciting to see what they can do in a full season in 2021.
Below is the ranking of the top 15 players in tackles for loss per game from the Big Ten Conference 2020 season. Players from Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Rutgers, Purdue and Northwestern made the rankings.
Nevertheless, the program is set up well for success both through the end of this year and for the future. So, here are 10 people Wisconsin football has to be thankful for this season and beyond:
The Wisconsin Badgers entered Evanston, Illinois yesterday with the chance to knock off the 4-0 Northwestern Wildcats and take control…
The Wisconsin Badgers entered Evanston, Illinois yesterday with the chance to knock off the 4-0 Northwestern Wildcats and take control of the Big Ten West division.
If you’ve followed Badger football over the years you know Northwestern is always a tough place to play and makes for a perfect trap game scenario. Well, that was the case yesterday as Paul Chryst and his team fell 17-7.
There is a lot to take away from the game, including young players continuing to break out, an impressive performance on one side of the football, a key player practically losing the game for the Badgers and more.
Here are five main takeaways from the Badgers’ loss yesterday to Northwestern:
The No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers entered Evanston, Illinois today with Big Ten title and College Football Playoff aspirations after they sat…
The No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers entered Evanston, Illinois today with Big Ten title and College Football Playoff aspirations after they sat idle for Weeks 2 and 3 of the season and watched the rest of the nation play football.
With today’s win, Northwestern moves to 5-0 on the season and takes a stranglehold of the Big Ten West division. Wisconsin, on the other hand, now sits at 2-1 on the season with a rivalry showdown against Minnesota coming next weekend.
Here are studs and duds from the Badgers’ disappointing loss:
