re: Hey WI posters. Who are your stars? Who should we be concerned about?

quote:

---

Vegas seems to think it will be

---

No, Vegas sees their bettors thinking LSU will win. So they set the line accordingly. They're always foolproof anyway lol.

Those LSU FANS thinking this will be a cake walk are nuts. Think back to 2014 and that was in our backyard. LSU should win but if they come out flat or shaky, and wisky is ready to play, it's gonna be a game.

quote:

---

Vegas seems to think it will be

---

Will be close. Probably will be neck and neck until the 4th quarter.

quote:

---

If that is true, that's an absolutely ridiculously impressive statistic.

---

Sorry, I meant last six years. Going into the 2016 NFL Draft, Wisconsin was fourth nationally in Top-75 picks over the last five years until Ohio State had seven selected Top-75 selections in 2016.

I believe totals (2011-2016) look like:
1. Alabama (26)
2. LSU (18)
3. Florida State (17)
4. Ohio State (16)
5. Wisconsin (13)

fantastic reply. thanks for taking the time!

I find those theories believable when taken by themselves. However, it seems that another program would find themselves in the midst of at least some of those circumstances. But even teams that recruit in the 20's don't come close to replicating those NFL numbers.
Whatever the cause, it is a VERY significant anomaly.
Incredibly interesting discussion but somewhat off topic.

The one thing that really stands out to me during the game two years ago was your two starting DT got hurt during the middle of the game. They (Wisconsin) were dominating us up front until the second starting DT went down with an injury in the third quarter. Had they not been injured I believe more than likely we (LSU) would have lost that game.
I also remember Wisconsin's QB struggled that day and Diarse made a game changing touchdown that shifted the momentum for the Tigers. Wisconsin rallied late and almost pulled it out. Oh yeah, and that damn Melvin Gordon was a player!

quote:

---

- Walk-on program. As the only D1A program in the state, lots of kids would prefer to walk-on to getting a low D1A scholarship or a D1AA ride out of state. Out of maybe 15 or 20 walk-ons each year, only two or three need to be good to greatly boost on the field performance compared to recruiting rankings.

---

Without question, the foundation of Wisconsin's success comes from its walk-on program. There are several former players in the NFL, all of whom are from Wisconsin, that walked-on. The most notable of these names is J.J. Watt.

One thing you notice with many of the walk-on players that commit to Wisconsin is that many held FBS and FCS offers. These aren't Division II or III players. They have every opportunity to grow within the program for four- or five-years and be impact players by their senior season. Of course, some made significant impacts for multiple seasons.

For example, Wisconsin already has three preferred walk-on players for 2017 that have a combined 15 Division-I offers, a few of which include Northern Illinois, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Wyoming, North Dakota State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, and South Dakota State.

quote:

---

(Three important players last season - Stave, Erickson and Schobert were walk-ons)

---

To piggy-back off this, Wisconsin's leading passer (Stave), rusher (Ogunbowale), and receiver (Erickson) last season were all former walk-ons. The last time Wisconsin had a scholarship receiver lead the team in receiving yards was 2010... Take your pick as to whether that's a good thing or not, but Jared Abbrederis and Alex Erickson have had no difficulty burning some of the better CB's in the B1G.

Defensively, one of its two best players (Schobert), was an All-American and won B1G Linebacker of the Year.

quote:

---

Can't talk about Wisconsin walk-on's this much without linking this great article.

---

I forgot about Leonhard. At 5'8" he was undersized for a safety, but had 11 interceptions his sophomore year and 21 in all. Intercepted two passes against Minnesota, one with a broken arm. He stayed in the game and played until he broke his other arm.

Had a ten year NFL career and was named captain of the Jets defense as well as Baltimore's.

Was hired as a Wisconsin assistant this season.

That's pretty awesome. Always seemed like a great guy when he was in the league, and seems to be very good at getting along with his players. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if we see his name floating around as a HC candidate at big schools soon.


Is he one that Wisky is his dream job, or would he coach other places?

LSU by 24 this year. This team has something to prove, and will be looking to make a statement right out the gate.