MADISON, Wis. – Former University of Wisconsin athletes Jonathan Taylor and Zack Baun each had to wait longer than they wanted to hear their names called in the 2020 NFL Draft. It was worth it.

Two Badgers who appeared in first-round mock drafts leading up to the actual draft, Taylor – Wisconsin’s record-setting running back – was selected with the ninth pick in the second round (No.41 overall), while Baun – UW’s force at outside linebacker last season – was picked with the 10th pick in the third round (No.74 overall).

Both players were selected by teams who traded with the Cleveland Browns to move up in the draft.

“When you go into a situation like this, you have a range that you think you're going to get picked, but once you see the other teams start picking and kind of how everything plays out, you get impatient and you want to just hear your name called,” Baun told reporters. “Nonetheless, it's such a special moment and to be picked by such a great organization is so big for me and my family and everyone that helped me get to this point.”

After watching LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire get picked with the final pick in the first round and Georgia’s D’Andre Swift taken with the third pick of the second round, Taylor saw the Colts jump three spots – and give up a fourth-round pick - to take him.

The Colts are coming off of a season in which they ran for more than 2,000 yards as a team — ranking seventh in the league in that category — and starting running back Marlon Mack rushed for 1,091 yards. The Colts also have tailbacks Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines and a one of the top offensive lines in the league, led by Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson.

“The biggest thing is I'm excited,” Taylor said. “They traded up, so you knew that they were really excited and felt like you could be a special player in that organization. I'm somebody that's gonna come in and soak up everything, every bit of information and try to learn as much as possible so if and when my number's called, I'm able to get in, do my job, and do it at a high level.”

A unanimous All-American last season and the two-time reigning Doak Walker Award winner, Taylor is one of the most accomplished players in college football, as he ranks second all-time in Big Ten history in rushing yards (6,174) despite playing just three seasons.

He was critiqued by some for fumbling too much in college (18 fumbles, 15 lost) and not having much experience as a pass catcher, but Taylor made it known he’s a workhorse.

“(The Colts are) definitely getting a tough back who's able to run between the tackles, but has a track background so they're able to hit the edge and take one the distance,” he said. “I think that's the biggest thing is you've got a guy who can run well inside, and also be able to hit the edge. It's kinda hard to defend, you've gotta make sure everyone's all over the field.”

While teams knew what they were getting with Taylor, Baun was a little more unique because the Brown Deer native doesn’t project as an every-down outside linebacker at the professional level. He certainly made the position work for the Badgers, as Baun recording 12½ sacks and 19½ tackles for loss while earning consensus first-team All America honors. Before that breakout year, Baun had just 2½ career sacks.

Baun was the fourth linebacker selected on the second day of the draft after the Saints traded their 2020 third-round pick and next year’s third-round pick to the Browns to move up 14 spots.

“We lost a lot of production after the 2018 season,” Baun said. “I just knew that someone had to step up as a leader and in production on the field. Right after the season, I went up to my position coach and I said, hey coach, I'm trying to be the best player I can be. I know I have the athletic ability and gifts to be one of the top players in this league and I'm willing to do whatever it takes, whether that's getting stronger in the weight room, extra film study, NFL study, bringing young guys to the field and just doing all I could. And I did that all throughout until the season and it really paid off.”

Labeling himself as an underdog since high school (his only other scholarship offer was to South Dakota State), Baun told reporters he is most comfortable on the edge, but labels himself as a versatile linebacker who can, “do a lot of different things.”

“Every kid has those dreams of playing in the NFL and reaching that level growing up,” Baun said. “When you tell people those dreams, they tell you and they bring out the statistics about how there's a .05% of athletes that go to the league, but I just wanted to beat all those odds no matter what position it was. I was playing quarterback growing up and I just wanted to be the best player could be. I guess I didn't know that was on the other side of the ball.”

Taylor was one of two offensive weapons the Colts drafted for veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers, landing USC receiver Michael Pittman Jr. He was one of four receivers in the FBS with at least 100 receptions last season when he finished with 101 catches for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“It's kinda like a seamless transition in a sense," Taylor said. “Coming from the University of Wisconsin where we want to focus on taking pride in dominating the line of scrimmage up front, it's the same thing with the Indianapolis Colts. So, I feel like I'm just seamlessly transitioning from one culture to the next, but it's the same exact culture.”

And while Baun admitted he’s only been to the city of New Orleans once; Taylor has already played two games at his new home of Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Now I get to call that my home," Taylor said. “In a sense, every Sunday is going to be Championship Sunday for me just because you've had those memories of that being the spot you go to when you're in college.”