Tag: Will McDonald

Everything Kirk Ferentz had to say about Iowa State ahead of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series

What are Kirk Ferentz’s thoughts on Iowa State? Here was what Ferentz had to say about the Cyclones ahead of the rivalry date.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won the past six in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. While week one left some lingering questions about the Hawkeyes’ offense, Iowa turns the page to its annual rivalry date against the Iowa State Cyclones hoping that last week was nothing more than some early-season jitters and growing pains.

Running back Gavin Williams appears primed for a return, so that should help to offset the continued absences of wide receivers Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini. Defensively, it will be interesting to see how Iowa manages without both linebacker Jestin Jacobs and cornerback Jermari Harris.

Of course, Iowa State typically presents one of the most exciting challenges every season and this year’s contest figures to be no different. With the emotionally charged rivalry set to resume on Saturday, here was everything Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz had to say about the Iowa State Cyclones.

Wisconsin OLB Nick Herbig is the top-ranked edge rusher in this PFF stat

Wisconsin outside linebacker Nick Herbig lands at the top of all edge rushers in this PFF stat:

On Wednesday night, Pro Football Focus ranked returning edge rushers with the highest pass rush win rates last season, and Wisconsin outside linebacker ranked first with a pass rush win percentage of 27.1.

Related: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen named USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American

Herbig had a fantastic year in 2021 and was a constant threat against opposing quarterbacks on the edge. He finished last season with 61 total tackles, nine sacks, four passes defended and a forced fumble. The Kauai, Hawaii, native ranked just ahead of USC transfer Romello Height and Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald IV.

Nick Herbig has improved every season that he has been with the Badgers, and it would be no surprise to see him continue to follow in the footsteps of other legendary Badgers’ edge rushers this season.

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Wisconsin Lands PWO Commitment From Three-Star DE Will McDonald

The Badgers land a preferred walk-on commitment from an in-state three-star defensive end:

On Wednesday, Paul Chryst and his coaching staff broke out of a recruiting slump when they received a verbal commitment from 2023 three-star defensive end Will McDonald out of Hudson, Wisconsin, who will join the program as a preferred walk-on.

According to 247 sports, McDonald is the No. 111 DL in the country and the No. 2 player in Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound DL committed to UW despite holding scholarship offers from Akron, Army, Illinois State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kent State, Lehigh, Long Island, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, and South Dakota.

You can watch his junior season HUDL film here. 

The Hudson High School standout will join his older brother Cade McDonald, who currently plays defensive end for the Badgers, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing together.

The Wisconsin native announced his commitment to the Badgers via his Twitter account:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Best player the Oklahoma Sooners will face each week during the 2022 season

Who are the best players the Oklahoma Sooners will face each week during the 2022 season?

Looking at ESPN’s matchup predictor for the 2022 season, the Oklahoma Sooners are the projected favorite in all but one game; the Red River Showdown. Though there’s been a lot of turnover in Norman, the talent level is still quite high. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, like week three on the road in Lincoln, or the Red River Showdown, but the Sooners will once again be one of the teams in contention for the Big 12 title.

Along the road to return to Arlington for the Big 12 championship game, the Sooners will have to contend with some talented individuals in the conference. Most teams won’t have the depth of talent that the Sooners have, but they have talented individuals that can make life difficult Oklahoma each week.

With the season opener against the UTEP Miners 30 days away, let’s take a look at the best player the Sooners will face each week during the 2022 college football season.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel named to Walter Camp Player of the Year award watch list

In addition to the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel was named to the Walter Camp award watch list.

When you’re the quarterback at the [autotag]University of Oklahoma[/autotag], the expectations are high. In addition to being named to the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell award watch lists, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] was added to the Walter Camp Player of the Year award watch list.

Oklahoma is tied for second all-time in Walter Camp Player of the Year awards with four. USC is No. 1 in the country with six, including inaugural award winner O.J. Simpson.

Former Sooners who’ve won the award are [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] (2017), [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag] (2000), [autotag]Billy Sims[/autotag] (1978), and [autotag]Steve Owens[/autotag] (1969).

Garbiel is joined by eight other players from the Big 12 and a few familiar faces at quarterback on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list.

Wisconsin extends PWO offer to in-state 2023 DE Will McDonald

Wisconsin football extends a PWO to in-state 2023 defensive end Will McDonald:

On Wednesday morning, Wisconsin football extended a preferred walk-on offer to in-state 2023 defensive end Will McDonald per an announcement on his Twitter.

Related: Two Wisconsin interior linemen named to Outland Trophy Watch List

The three-star recruit has played the last few seasons for Hudson High School in Hudson, Wis. He is ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of Wisconsin by 247Sports and currently holds scholarship offers from Kansas, Iowa State, Army and Akron. In addition to his talents on the football field, McDonald is also a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American.

It will be interesting to see if the Badgers can persuade the talented three-star recruit to stay in the state as a walk-on, or if he will take a scholarship offer elsewhere.

3 Oklahoma Sooners to watch vs. the Iowa State Cyclones

As the Sooners offense prepares for their matchup with Iowa State, these three players are key to Oklahoma bouncing back.

While the Sooners entered their bye week a few weeks ago flying high offensively, they came out of the bye, went to Waco, and struggled against the Baylor Bears defense.

The team as a whole lost, but at multiple moments throughout the game, the defense showed they were ready to compete. The same cannot be said about an offense that looked as flat as a fresh piece of paper. It’s time to flip that page and start anew.

More precisely, three players on the offensive side of the ball must bury last week’s shortcomings and ready themselves for another war against Iowa State. Their contributions are paramount to Oklahoma’s chances to win this game.

Caleb Williams, QB

Earlier this week, we mentioned Caleb Williams is one of a handful of players that needed a major bounceback this game. With that being the case, it’s only right your starting true freshman quarterback is also a key to the game this week. It’s quite simple. When Williams plays to the level we’ve seen, Baylor notwithstanding, Oklahoma can operate on offense at a level Sooner fans have grown accustomed to.

Maybe it was the first true road game atmosphere in very hostile territory that rattled him but he’s back home and has had all week to work through things.

Iowa State runs a 3-3-5. There’s likely to be a lot of Cover 3 or Cover 1 played for the Sooners and the Cyclones will try to speed up Williams decision making. Decisiveness with the ball will be key.

After seeing quite a few blitzes last week, maybe Williams is better prepared and his coaches also tweak their game plan to give him some quick throws when Iowa State brings pressure. If he plays well, the Sooners win this game.

Up Next: Williams needs help up front

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