Nick Toon will carry on a family tradition on the football field as an NFL player.
Toon, the former Wisconsin wide receiver, was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, with the 122nd overall pick. Toon's father, Al, played eight seasons with the New York Jets before retiring in 1992 from concussion symptoms.
"My dad was a great football player and a great resource of mine growing up," Toon told The Associated Press on Saturday. "He has been a great sounding board for me throughout my career, my entire life — a great blue print as far as a football player. Just a good person and a good leader."
Toon was one of three former Wisconsin players selected on the third and final day of the NFL draft. Fullback Bradie Ewing (Atlanta Falcons) and punter Brad Nortman (Carolina Panthers) also were chosen later in the draft.
In total, six Badgers were taken over the seven-round draft. Right guard Kevin Zeitler went in the first round (No. 27 to Cincinnati), center Peter Konz in the second round (No. 55 to Atlanta) and quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round (No. 75 to Seattle).
Toon caught 64 passes for 926 yards with 10 touchdowns during his senior season. He finished his career third in school history in receiving yards (2,447) and receptions (171). He also ranks fifth in school history with 18 career receiving touchdowns.
"We like the way this guy can run routes right now," Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt told The Associated Press. "He's competitive. He'll fight you for the ball. He's a good blocker. He's in good shape right now. He's excited to be here, so we're expecting the best."
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Toon could see playing time as a rookie for New Orleans. Former Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent during the offseason. He caught 40 passes for 620 yards with six touchdowns last season.
Ewing was taken in the fifth round by the Falcons, at No. 157 overall. The 6-foot, 239-pounder from Richland Center, Wis., caught 20 passes for 246 yards last season. He did not run the ball a single time.
Ewing came to Wisconsin as a walk-on running back but became one of the top college fullbacks in the country.
The Panthers selected Nortman in the sixth round, with the 207th overall pick. Nortman left Wisconsin ranked third in school history in career punting average at 42.1 yards per punt. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season.
Six former Badgers reportedly signed free agent deals following the NFL draft: safety Aaron Henry (Oakland Raiders), cornerback Antonio Fenelus (Indianapolis Colts), tight end Jake Byrne (New Orleans Saints), defensive end Louis Nzegwu (Atlanta Falcons), defensive tackle Patrick Butrym (San Francisco 49ers) and long snapper Kyle Wojta (Chicago Bears).
Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Josh Oglesby reportedly will travel to Washington D.C. for a physical. If he passes, he'll ink a free agent deal with the Washington Redskins, becoming the 13th Badgers player off last year's team to enter an NFL training camp.
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