Tag: UW football

Wisconsin star among best safeties in EA Sports College Football 25

Wisconsin star among best safeties in EA Sports College Football 25

Wisconsin star safety Hunter Wohler is tied for the fourth-highest overall rating among his position group in the newly-released EA Sports College Football 25 video game.

The Wisconsin native lands at a 90 overall, the same mark as Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman, Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr. and Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs (95 OVR) and Georgia’s Malaki Starks (95 OVR) are tied with the highest overall rating among safeties.

Iowa’s Sebastian Castro and Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. also landed above Wohler at a 92 and 91 overall respectively. The senior is the No. 84 overall player in the game and the No. 3-ranked strong safety behind Virginia’s Jonas Sanker (92 OVR) and Winston Jr. (91 OVR).

Wohler enters the 2024 campaign after being named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press and leading all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles in 2023. His 74 solo tackles last season also ranked No. 1 among all qualified defensive backs in college football. The safety’s strong effort led him to becoming the first Big Ten defensive back to record over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

Alongside Wohler, Wisconsin star cornerback Ricardo Hallman comes in at 91 overall in the video game. Badgers’ starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke lands at an 83 overall rating, and star wide receiver Will Pauling is ranked at 86 overall. The Badgers are the No. 18-ranked team in the game with an overall rating of 87.

EA Sports College Football 25 became available to the public on July 15.

WATCH: Wisconsin football’s EA Sports College Football 25 entrance revealed

WATCH: Wisconsin football’s EA Sports College Football 25 entrance revealed

Wisconsin football’s entrance in the upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 has been released in a recent post on X.

The clip coincides with Sunday’s image of Wisconsin’s menu screen and Saturday’s footage of Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi scoring a 70-yard touchdown against Iowa in a gameplay preview.

The 30-second video opens with Bucky Badger flexing its muscles and hyping-up the crowd, then transfers to a segment featuring Wisconsin players slapping the “the road to championships begins here” emblem on their way toward Camp Randall’s gridiron.

The clip then pans to excited student section spectators before the platoon, surrounded by the student band and cheerleaders, runs onto the field to a raucous home crowd.

Just as it would during a regular home game, “On, Wisconsin!” can be heard from the band as Luke Fickell’s team sprints out the tunnel and onto the turf.

EA Sports College Football 25 will become available to the public on July 19. With multiple teaser trailers and clips appearing on social media platforms as early as May, it’s safe to say Badger fans are more than excited to play as UW online this summer.

LOOK: Highlight of Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi in EA Sports College Football 25

LOOK: Highlight of Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi in EA Sports College Football 25

Popular Youtube creator UserLurk showcased Chez Mellusi scoring a 70-yard touchdown in the upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 video game on Saturday.

In the video, Wisconsin’s starting running back takes a snap from quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and evades Iowa Hawkeye tacklers for the 70-yard score at UW’s Camp Randall Stadium.

Despite being only 12 seconds, the clip provides fans an early glimpse of what playing with Wisconsin will look like at Camp Randall. Bucky Badger is visible on the sidelines. as well as the student band adjacent to the end zone.

Of Wisconsin’s most notable players, S Hunter Wohler and CB Ricardo Hallman  are ranked 90 OVR and 91 OVR, respectively. QB Tyler Van Dyke lands at an 83, Mellusi is ranked at an 84 OVR and WR Will Pauling enters this fall with an 86 OVR.

EA Sports College Football 25 will be released to the public on July 19 after much anticipation from college football fans throughout the nation. As of right now, the Badgers are the 18th-best program in the video game.

Wisconsin one of college programs with most active NFL players

Wisconsin one of college programs with most active NFL players

Wisconsin football is No. 24 among NCAA Division I college football programs with the most active players in the NFL, according to Spotrac.

Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Georgia and Notre Dame are the only programs across the NCAA Division I landscape to boast over 50 former players currently active in the NFL. Thirty-two former Badgers currently play across 20 different NFL franchises.

The Pittsburgh Steelers take the cake for most Badgers on a single roster. UW alumni Russell Wilson, T.J. Watt, Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Tyler Beach currently don the yellow and black for Pittsburgh.

What’s more, Wisconsin’s 11 active offensive linemen in the pros tie Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame for second in the nation. Only Michigan has more with 14.

Dallas Cowboys’ tight end Jake Ferguson, Miami Dolphins’ full back Alec Ingold, Washington Commanders’ offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz and Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor are among several Badgers to make at least one Pro Bowl in their NFL careers.

Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden, offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini, cornerback Jason Maitre, tight end Hayden Rucci, running back Braelon Allen and quarterback Tanner Mordecai will make their NFL debuts this fall — if all stay on NFL rosters.

Allen and Bortolini were the two former Badgers selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

Wisconsin’s 2015 defensive unit led the nation in significant team statistic

Wisconsin’s 2015 defensive unit led the nation in significant team statistic

The Wisconsin Badgers defense recorded the fewest points allowed per game of any qualified program in 2015, per ProFootballFocus.

The Badgers’ defense allowed just 13.7 points per game in 2015, the eighth fewest by any program since 2014’s inaugural College Football Playoff season. The NCAA champion-winning 2023 Michigan Wolverine defense allowed just 10.4 points per game, the lowest mark by any program over the last decade.

Big Ten rivals Northwestern and Illinois also made the list. The Wildcats allowed 15.9 points per contest in 2020, while the Illini gave up just 12.8 points per game in 2022.

Wisconsin registered a more effective defensive point mark than the aforementioned 2020 Wildcats and 2014 Ole Miss Rebels.

With help from defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, head coach Paul Chryst led the 2015 Badgers to a 10-3 overall mark and 6-2 Big Ten record. Despite the winning mark, UW fell to No. 3 Alabama and unranked Iowa in two of its first five games. Wisconsin allowed 35 points to the Crimson Tide, their highest total of the season.

The Badgers orchestrated several blowout victories, including a 58-0 triumph over Miami (Ohio), 28-0 win vs. Troy and 48-10 vs. Rutgers.

Starters on the terrific unit included T.J. Edwards, Joe Schobert, Vince Biegel, Jack Cichy, Michael Caputo, Chris Orr and Darius Hillary.

Luke Fickell’s job security considered ‘safe and secure’ by CBS Sports

Luke Fickell’s job security considered ‘safe and secure’ by CBS Sports

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is considered ‘safe and secure’ in CBS Sports’ recent analysis of the job status of every college football coach.

CBS Sports senior writer Dennis Dodd created six categories for his recent evaluation of all 134 FBS coaches’ job securities ahead of the 2024 campaign. Ranging from ‘untouchable’ to ‘win or be fired,’ Luke Fickell landed alongside 43 other head coaches in the ‘safe and secure’ bucket.

For context, Fickell was placed in the same category as Big Ten rivals Sherrone Moore (Michigan), Jonathan Smith (Michigan State), Matt Rhule (Nebraska), David Braun (Northwestern) and James Franklin (Penn State).

Fickell’s spot on this tier is due to the recency of his hire and his track record before arriving in Madison, Wisconsin. The former Ohio State nose tackle became the Badgers’ 31st head coach in program history on Nov. 27, 2022,  and will enter his second full season manning the sidelines this fall.

Other faith surrounding Fickell relates to his success on the recruiting front. 247Sports has Fickell’s 2025 cycle, complete with six blue-chip athletes, ranked No. 21 in the nation with an average player rating of 88.29.

Fickell’s previous accomplishment of leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to the College Football Playoff also offers a blueprint for what he could do at UW. The Badgers went 7-6 in 2023 but will aim to kick-start a resurgence in 2024.

Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2027 athlete

Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2027 athlete

Wisconsin football extended an offer to fast-rising class of 2027 athlete George Lamons Jr. on Monday.

Lamons Jr. became the fifth 2027 athlete to pocket an offer from UW, joining Darryl Flemister (Detroit, MI), Brayton Feister (Akron, Ohio), Xavier Sabb (Glassboro, NJ) and Tory Pittman III (Omaha, NE).

Despite being a 2027 recruit, the 6-foot-4, 213-pounder has already earned a laundry list of offers. Of his 17 current college opportunities, the most notable include from Georgia, Miami (Florida), Cincinnati, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, UCF, and now Wisconsin.

Representing Brooks County High School in Quitman, Georgia, Lamons has taken snaps at wide receiver and outside linebacker. Given his age and stage in recruitment, the rising sophomore will have ample time to discover his true position on the gridiron.

Although 247sports has yet to release a crystal ball prediction for where the athlete will land, On3’s recruiting prediction machine projects Florida State to secure Lamons’ commitment at this point in his recruitment.

Former Wisconsin QB leads NFL history in significant statistical category

Former Wisconsin QB leads NFL history in significant statistical category

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson holds the highest passer rating among quarterbacks with 5,000 or more rushing yards in NFL history.

With a career passer rating of 100.0, Wilson ranks first above two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton and four-time Pro Bowl QB Michael Vick. All four athletes have amassed over 5,000 rush yards during their professional careers.

The statistic speaks to Wilson’s duality as a passing and rushing threat for opposing defenses. The former Badger has notched a passer rating of 100.0 or more in seven of his 12 NFL seasons and rushed for more than 500 yards in four of his professional campaigns.

At Wisconsin, Wilson provided a glimpse of what would arrive on NFL gridirons. In his sole season as a Badger, the future Super Bowl champion set the NCAA record for pass efficiency (191.8). The output earned him 2011 Big Ten Quarterback of the Year nods, and a second-round selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

After being selected by the Seahawks, Wilson would ultimately captain to its first title in franchise history in Super Bowl XLVIII. He recorded a 123.1 passer rating and rushed for 26 yards in the 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Wilson reached another Super Bowl in 2014, and totaled nine Pro Bowls in 10 seasons as Seattle’s starting quarterback.

Despite recent storylines surrounding his two-year tenure with the Denver Broncos, Wilson still recorded a passer rating of 98.0 and rushed for 341 yards.

In what will likely be his final seasons in the NFL, Wilson can remain atop the impressive statistical category with a strong season in Pittsburgh.

Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. shines again in upset win vs. Michigan State

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. continues to put up huge numbers for his new team

If you haven’t yet, it’s time for NFL fans to take notice of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., thanks to another dominant performance.

The transfer from Indiana continued his impressive start to the 2022 season with his new team, racking up 397 yards and four touchdowns through the air Saturday night in a 38-29 upset win over No. 11 Michigan State.

Listed at 6-3, 214 pounds, the southpaw slinger is showing off all the physical and mental traits that will grab the attention of pro scouts and decision-makers when it comes to finding a potential franchise quarterback.

If Penix continues to perform at this level, especially against top competition, don’t be surprised if his name starts to climb up draft boards throughout the league.

[listicle id=639140]

Michael Penix Jr. thriving under pressure at Washington

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was phased by pressure in last week’s season opener

If you’re a transfer quarterback who wins the starting job at a Power 5 program, the pressure is on.

Good thing for the Washington Huskies that Michael Penix Jr. is their man.

The Indiana transfer was unshakable in Saturday night’s season opener against Kent State, throwing for 345 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions.

The most impressive number of the night for Penix was his success under pressure, as Pro Football Focus gave him the highest grade of any quarterback in the nation this weekend when under duress.

We’ll see if Penix can keep up these kinds of numbers in conference play, but the early returns are encouraging for Huskies fans.

[listicle id=639140]