MADISON, Wis. – There is a common theme happening in the eyes of Vince Biegel and the linebackers who he has played with and who have come after him at the University of Wisconsin. It’s a group that is collecting NFL paychecks.
After having such few of its linebackers drafted in years before (two from 2009-15), Wisconsin has seen Biegel, Joe Schobert, Jack Cichy, T.J. Watt, Ryan Connelly, Leon Jacobs and Andrew Van Ginkel get their named called in the last four years. Throw in free agent T.J. Edwards and it appears Wisconsin is becoming the next “Linebacker U” thanks to its switch to the 3-4 defense in 2013.
“If you look at the demographics, the guys who are in the state of Wisconsin, those are predominantly linebacker bodies,” Biegel said. “Guys who can play inside and guys who can play outside linebacker. You don’t have crazy freaks, 6-foot-6 and 270-pound kids in the state of Wisconsin who play defensive end. You have guys who are 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-4 range, great athleticism, smart, tough, dependable, those are the guys who are going to be key for your defense. They can play inside, can play outside, can play special teams.
“That’s what Wisconsin is, and I think that’s why from now on we’ll produce good, solid linebackers that can translate to the NFL.”
Later this week, Zach Baun and Chris Orr will join that list when the NFL Draft begins Thursday.
While still the biggest event in the NFL’s offseason calendar, this year’s seven-round draft will be a fully virtual experience with remote interactions, including the eligible players to be selected by one of the league's 32 teams. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NFL scouts have been off the road for over a month, individual workouts and in-person interviews have been canceled and many schools were unable to have their pro days.
On today’s podcast, Biegel – who is preparing to enter his fourth season in the NFL - will share his insight into what players have to go through leading up to the draft, the stress of the interview and workout process, dealing with NFL adversity and how the coronavirus is playing havoc with the draft process.
Click here to listen to the BadgerBlitz.com Podcast. Please subscribe and give us a review!
