Zack Baun accepts invitation to 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl

Wisconsin senior outside linebacker Zack Baun has accepted an invitation the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Senior outside linebacker Zack Baun emerged as one of the top breakout stars in all of college football this season, earning consensus First Team All-Big Ten honors last week on the heels of a phenomenal regular season of play. Taking into account his performance in the loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, Baun has now tallied a team-high 12.5 sacks to go along with 19.5 tackles for loss, numbers that are both good for No. 2 in the conference and No. 7 in the nation.

His rise to stardom has landed him squarely on the radars of NFL franchises as they prepare for the draft in the spring, as evidenced by his invitation to the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl. After accepting his invitation on Monday afternoon, Baun will have the chance to make even more of a name for himself in NFL circles.

Baun is the first Badger to accept an invitation to this year’s Senior Bowl, an annual showcase of some of the top senior players in all of college football. Hundreds of NFL coaches, scouts, general managers and other front office personnel flock to Mobile, Ala. each year to take in the game, and, more importantly, take stock of the players throughout the three days of practice sessions that precede it.

Along with college pro days and the NFL Scouting Combine, the Senior Bowl is one of the most important events leading up to the draft for prospects, and it offers its participants the opportunity to greatly increase their stock. For example, it was his performance at the 2018 event that catapulted Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in that year’s draft.

Last year, offensive linemen Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel and fullback Alec Ingold represented Wisconsin in Mobile. Ingold, in particular, had a big week on the North team that was coached by Jon Gruden and the Raiders’ coaching staff, and that played a major role in Oakland picking him up as an undrafted free agent following the draft.

Wisconsin fans can watch Baun in the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 25.