MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin football program has developed a history of producing NFL-ready players. And with the 2012 NFL draft starting this week, that reputation still appears to be in fine form.
At least eight Badgers are expected to go in the draft, which runs from Thursday to Saturday. And several more could be picked up in free agency following the draft.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema expects to be plenty busy keeping track of his former players.
“It just takes the right team to like you and you'll go,” Bielema said. “It'll be a fun time.”
A rundown of 20 NFL prospects with ties to the state of Wisconsin, either through the Badgers or state high schools:
Ben Armer, P, Western Michigan (5-11, 224). Armer went to Janesville Parker High School and became a four-year starter at Western Michigan, where he tied the program record for games played (50). Armer averaged 40.4 yards per punt during his college career. Last season, he averaged 41.0 yards per punt. For comparison's sake, that would rank last among NFL teams. The Chicago Bears had the lowest average last year at 42.7 yards per punt.
Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (Ohio) (6-5, 343). Brooks attended Milwaukee Riverside and was an all-state player in high school. At Miami, he played in 45 games. Brooks possesses the size and strength to make him an appealing offensive line prospect for several NFL teams. He has played left guard, left tackle and right guard during his college career.
Patrick Butrym, DL, Wisconsin (6-4, 285). Butrym had a fine career at Wisconsin, playing in 53 games. He collected 80 total tackles with 10 1/2 tackles for a loss. Butrym was an honorable mention selection in the Big Ten last season.
Jake Byrne, TE, Wisconsin (6-4, 260). Byrne became a regular in Wisconsin's playing rotation during his junior season. He started 13 of 14 games as a senior. During his career, he caught six passes for 57 yards with one touchdown. Byrne could be a free agent pick-up after the draft.
Derek Carrier, WR, Beloit College (6-3 1/2, 238). Carrier might be the most interesting prospect in the state of Wisconsin because he played at the Division III level in college. Carrier tallied 75 catches for 1,250 yards with 12 touchdowns last season. But he really impressed scouts when he attended the University of Wisconsin's pro day on March 7 and has a real opportunity to get drafted in the late rounds.
Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin (5-11, 239). Ewing hardly cracked the stat sheet at Wisconsin, but that was never his primary responsibility. His ability to block for running backs and pass protect for quarterbacks made him a perfect fit in Wisconsin's pro-style offense. Not many NFL teams have a need for a fullback such as Ewing, but he should latch on somewhere in the late rounds. Ewing caught 20 passes for 246 yards last season but didn't run the ball a single time.
Antonio Fenelus, DB, Wisconsin (5-9, 190). Fenelus was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, so the guy can clearly play. His biggest hindrance will be his height — or lack thereof. During his career, he played in 52 games and tallied 155 total tackles. He recorded nine interceptions, including four last season.
Aaron Henry, DB, Wisconsin (6-0, 210). Henry was one of Wisconsin's most outgoing, engaging personalities. He also played in 52 games and made 181 total tackles. Henry registered seven interceptions and 23 pass deflections. Last season, he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media.
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin (6-5, 315). Konz will almost certainly be the first Wisconsin player selected in the NFL draft. Many presume he'll be taken late in the first round. Konz suffered a dislocated ankle during a November game against Minnesota, and it has taken him months to fully recover. He didn't participate in Wisconsin's pro day in March, but he held his own in April to show that he was near full strength.
Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin (6-3, 210). Even though Wisconsin possessed a potent, high-scoring offense, Nortman still got plenty of punting work in during his college career. He punted 199 times and averaged 42.1 yards per punt. If he does wind up with an NFL team, it likely will be as a free agent sometime after the draft.
Drew Nowak, DE, Western Michigan (6-4, 295). Nowak attended De Pere High School in Green Bay and had an impressive college career. He appeared in 47 games with 32 starts and registered 180 total tackles. During his senior season, he had 91 total tackles with 8 1/2 sacks and was named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Louis Nzegwu, DB, Wisconsin (6-4, 255). Nzegwu played in 48 games for the Badgers and started every game his last two seasons. Last year, he recorded 38 total tackles and led Wisconsin in sacks with 4 1/2.
Josh Oglesby, T, Wisconsin (6-7, 330). Oglesby was rated in some circles as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country coming out of high school, and he never lived up to that billing in large part because he had six knee surgeries during his college career. Still, he finished his career well and started every game for Wisconsin during his senior season. Ogeslby didn't have a particularly good Combine workout, and that could hinder him in his ability to get drafted by an NFL team.
Donavan Robinson, DE, Jackson State (6-3, 250). Robinson, a Milwaukee Riverside High School graduate, was dominant while playing in the SWAC. As a senior, he tallied 58 tackles with 23.5 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks, which tied a school record.
He led the SWAC as a junior with 18.5 tackles for a loss. Who knows how Robinson's skills would have translated in a BCS conference? If he isn't drafted on the third day, he'll likely be given a shot with a team in free agency.
Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin (6-3, 220). Toon has the build and the skill set to be a mid-round draft pick. He is third in school history in career receptions (171) and yards (2,447). He also ranks fifth at Wisconsin with 18 career receiving touchdowns. His numbers were never spectacular in any individual season, but he was consistent when healthy. He also comes from a football bloodline. His dad, Al Toon, played eight NFL seasons with the New York Jets.
Scott Wedige, C, Northern Illinois (6-4, 310). Wedige attended Elkhorn High School in Wisconsin. He started two years at center for Northern Illinois and was a two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. He didn't receive an invite to the NFL Combine but could latch on to a team in free agency.
Phillip Welch, P, Wisconsin (6-3, 205). Welch is the Big Ten leader in career extra points made with 207. He also holds the school record in extra point percentage (.981) and field goal percentage (.776). Welch was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media last season. He could be picked up after the draft in free agency.
Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin (5-11, 210). Wilson made his one season at Wisconsin count after transferring from North Carolina State. He led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl and set the single-season school record for passing yards (3,175), touchdown passes (33) and passing efficiency (191.8). His biggest obstacle in NFL circles is his height. At 5-11, he would be one of the shortest quarterbacks on an NFL roster. Still, he has succeeded wherever he has been, and some team likely will take a chance on him in the middle rounds.
Kyle Wojta, LS, Wisconsin (6-2, 230). There aren't many teams clamoring for a long snapper, but Wojta certainly has the experience at the position. He served as Wisconsin's long snapper for 39 games over three seasons after joining the team as a walk-on.
Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin (6-4, 315). If not for Peter Konz, Zeitler would almost certainly be the first Wisconsin player selected in the upcoming NFL draft. He was a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association last season. He started all 14 games last season at right guard and was a three-year starter at the position. Many draft projections have him going in the second round.
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