The 25 best players in Wisconsin football history

The primary two-time All-American in Wisconsin soccer historical past (1941-42), Schreiner is likely one of the nice tight ends within the historical past. He was the Massive Ten’s Most Beneficial Participant in 1942, the identical season he caught three landing passes in a single quarter of a sport. Schreiner, who was a part of the 1943 East-West Shrine Recreation, handed up an opportunity to play within the NFL to serve with america Marines in World Warfare II. He died from wounds suffered in the course of the Battle of Okinawa. Schreiner was inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1955.

Hirsch performed only one season with the Badgers, but it surely was ok to earn him All-American honors and have his No. 40 retired by the college. In serving to lead Wisconsin to an 8-1-1 file in 1942, the person referred to as “Crazylegs” rushed for 767 yards, threw for 226 and likewise intercepted six passes. From From there, nonetheless, Hirsch took his act to Michigan, the place his coaching was to happen after he enlisted within the U.S. Marines. A member of each the Faculty and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, Hirsch would return to Wisconsin, serving as the college’s athletic director from 1969-’87.

Generally known as “The Horse” and the delight of Kenosha, Wis., Ameche has typically been thought of the best soccer participant to go well with up for the Badgers. He received the college’s first Heisman Trophy in 1954, and is one in every of six soccer gamers to have his quantity retired by the Wisconsin program. Although he was an early two-way standout for the Badgers, Ameche made his bones as a fullback. In 1951, he turned the primary freshman to steer the Massive Ten in dashing (774 yards). In 1952, Ameche helped led Wisconsin to its first-ever bowl look within the Rose Bowl. Ameche, a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, ended his profession because the NCAA’s profession dashing chief with 3,345 yards.

Earlier than Richter loved a profitable run as Wisconsin’s athletic director (answerable for hiring the soccer coach Barry Alvarez and basketball bosses Dıck Bennett and Bo Ryan), he branded himself as maybe the best athlete in Badgers historical past. He lettered 3 times every in soccer, basketball and baseball. When it got here to the gridiron, Richter led the Massive Ten in receptions in each 1961 and ’62. In the course of the 1963 Rose Bowl, Richter recorded 11 receptions for 163 yards. For his profession, the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer posted 110 receptions for 1,710 yards and 14 touchdowns at Wisconsin, the place his No. 88 was retired.

Recruited as a linebacker, it is comprehensible that Krumrie had a severe nostril for the ball whereas taking part in on the inside line of defense for the Badgers. A 3-time All-Massive Ten decide, Krumrie ranks third at school historical past with 444 profession tackles, and is this system’s all-time chief with 276 solo stops. He led the convention in tackles every of his 4 seasons at Wisconsin earlier than heading to the NFL, the place Krumrie was a two-time Professional Bowl choice for the Cincinnati Bengals. Nonetheless, he may greatest be remembered for struggling a damaged leg throughout Tremendous Bowl XXIII.

It may be argued that Toon was Wisconsin’s first marquee huge receiver. For years, Toon was the college’s all-time file holder for receptions (131), receiving yards (2,103) and receiving touchdowns (19). Getting into the 2023 season, Toon’s profession receiving yardage ranks sixth at Wisconsin, the reception whole was tied for ninth and TD depend sharing the fourth spot. As well as, Toon’s 252 receiving yards versus Purdue on Nov. 12, 1983, are second-most at school historical past for a single season. Toon’s son Nick adopted in his father’s footsteps and at present sits fourth at Wisconsin with 2,447 profession receiving yards and 171 receptions.

Earlier than having fun with a stellar NFL profession, Vincent was a reasonably particular participant for the Badgers. He ranks among the many prime 25 at school historical past with 31 breakups, together with a then-school-record 13 in the course of the 1990 season. He completed with 192 tackles and his 773 profession punt return yards rank among the many prime 5 at school historical past. Vincent was named Massive Ten Co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months and completed second in voting for the Thorpe Award in 1991. In January 2023, it was introduced that Vincent earned induction into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Bevell was not a extremely adorned performer throughout his time at Wisconsin, which adopted a stint at Northern Arizona and two-year Mormon mission. Nonetheless, his collegiate accomplishments are worthy of a spot on this record. His 7,686 passing yards are essentially the most at school historical past for a profession, whereas he additionally owns program data for all-time completions (646) and passing touchdowns (59). Bevell’s 61.4 completion proportion ranks fourth amongst all Badgers. He additionally holds Wisconsin’s single-game mark with 423 passing yards recorded towards Minnesota from Oct. 23, 1993.

After sitting out his freshman season because of Proposition 48, Gibson made a gradual development into the most effective school offensive lineman in the course of the mid-to-late Nineties. He began at proper sort out as a junior, and when his school profession ended a 12 months later, was an All-Massive Ten first teamer and consensus All-American choice. Gibson can be the primary Wisconsin participant to be named a finalist for each the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He performed within the NFL from 1999-2004, seeing motion with three completely different groups.

In terms of true school soccer dominance, there aren’t many higher than Dayne. The bruising operating again, and Wisconsin’s most up-to-date Heisman Trophy winner (1999), rushed for six,397 non-bowl-game dashing yards (7,125 with these bowls), and was the all-time chief within the period (previous to 2002) when statistics in mentioned bowls weren’t counted within the profession whole. Dayne burst on the scene as a freshman, operating for a career-high 1,863 yards and averaging 6.3 per carry. Throughout his historic senior marketing campaign, Dayne gained 1,834 yards and scored 19 regular-season touchdowns on the bottom, giving him a career-total 63 (71 together with bowls). Dayne’s No. 33 was retired at Wisconsin in 2007.

Neck points ultimately led to a short NFL profession for McIntosh, however his collegiate success with the Badgers must be extensively celebrated. One of many nice tackles within the Massive Ten in the course of the Nineties, McIntosh was a key determine whereas Wisconsin made consecutive Rose Bowl appearances to cap the 1998 and 1999 seasons. A member of the College of Wisconsin Athletic Corridor of Fame, McIntosh was named Massive Offensive Lineman of the 12 months, a consensus All-American and finalist for the Outland Trophy in 1999. Following his taking part in days, McIntosh returned to Wisconsin in numerous administrative roles earlier than taking on as the college’s athletic director in 2021.

In Fletcher, we might be speaking about the perfect defender within the historical past of Wisconsin soccer. A 3-time All-American, Fletcher is tied for the Badgers’ profession lead with 21 interceptions and 459 interception return yards. He is the one participant in Massive Ten historical past to steer the convention in interceptions for 3 consecutive seasons. He additionally totaled 5 touchdowns throughout his profession, and is the college’s file holder with 57 profession passes defensed. Fletcher recorded 21 of these — together with seven interceptions — in 2000, when he received the Jim Thorpe Award and a consensus All-American.

Evans is Wisconsin’s all-time chief with 3,468 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. In 2001 as a junior, Evans set profession highs with 75 receptions and 1,545 yards. Then after lacking the 2002 season because of an ACL harm, Evans returned in 2003, catching 64 passes for 1,213 with a personal-best, single-season Badgers file 13 receiving touchdowns. The 2-time first-team All-Massive Ten choice additionally ranks third at school historical past with 175 receptions. In the meantime, Evans’ 258 receiving yards towards Michigan State from Nov. 15, 2003, stay a college file.

There are many high quality defensive standouts from Wisconsin to spotlight. Nonetheless, James will get the nod from us. Why? James was identified for his disruptive nature — a stellar mixture of brute power and skill-position pace. For his profession, James registered 25.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks. As well as, he recorded 28 quarterback hurries, seven compelled fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 6 go deflections. In 2004, James was named a consensus All-American, and each Massive Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months and Defensive Lineman of the 12 months, whereas a finalist for the Nagurski, Bednarik, Lombardi and Hendricks Awards.

One of the beloved gamers in Wisconsin throughout his taking part in days, Leonhard proved walk-ons can obtain nice issues throughout one’s athletic profession. Leonhard shares Wisconsin’s all-time interception lead with the aforementioned Jamar Fletcher at 21. Nonetheless, Leonhard is the college’s profession chief in single-season picks, recording an astonishing 11 in 2002. Getting into the 2023 season, Leonard additionally ranked among the many prime 25 in Wisconsin historical past with 281 profession tackles. In the meantime, Leonhard, a two-time All-Massive Ten First Workforce choice, was the league’s profession chief with 1,347 punt return yards till 2006. He served because the Badgers defensive coordinator from 2017-22.

Is Thomas the best offensive lineman in Wisconsin soccer historical past? Maybe, and he is actually the most effective to ever play the place at each the faculty and professional degree. A two-time, first-team All-American (2005, ’06), Thomas was the primary Wisconsin participant to win the Outland Trophy, honoring the nation’s most excellent inside lineman. He was additionally a two-time semifinalist for the Lombardi Award (2006). Drafted third total by the Cleveland Browns in 2007, Thomas was a 10-time Professional Bowler who was elected into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2023. He is additionally a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. 

Carimi joins the aforementioned Joe Thomas as the one Wisconsin Badgers to win the Outland Trophy. That got here for his work throughout Wisconsin’s Massive Ten-championship 2010 season, the place Carimi was additionally named Massive Ten Offensive Lineman of the 12 months. Carimi was a four-year beginning left sort out for the Badgers, showing in 52 whole video games. He was chosen within the first spherical of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, and likewise performed for Tampa Bay and Atlanta earlier than his professional profession ended following the 2014 season. 

Lately, Watt could be essentially the most well-known soccer alum of the Wisconsin program. Although, his two brothers may argue that time. A primary-team All-American in 2010, Watt really started his profession at Central Michigan, the place he performed tight finish. Nonetheless, he ultimately determined to stroll on at Wisconsin, the place he was redshirted for the 2008 season, however noticed important time in 2009 at defensive finish. His completed that season with 4.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5 passes defensed. Watt was destined for stardom following his stellar 2010 marketing campaign, when he recorded 62 tackles (42 solos), 21 for loss and 7 sacks.

Wilson’s time in Madison spanned only one season. Nonetheless, it primarily made him a star and paved the way in which for a profitable NFL profession. As a graduate switch for the Badgers (following a profitable profession at North Carolina State) in 2011, Wilson set single-season college data for passing yards (3,175), touchdowns (33) and passer ranking (191.8). His 72.8 completion proportion is second for a season at Wisconsin, which received a Massive Ten championship and earned a spot within the Rose Bowl throughout his transient marketing campaign in Madison.

Like different distinguished backs on this record, Ball did not actually hit the bottom operating by way of collegiate success. Following a strong freshman season, Ball made a reputation for himself by dashing for 996 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. In his closing two seasons at Wisconsin, Ball totaled 3,753 dashing yards. His 5,140 profession dashing yards rank third at school historical past, whereas his 77 dashing touchdowns are essentially the most by any Badger, as are his 33 from the 2011 marketing campaign. The 2012 Doak Walker Award winner and two-time Consensus All-American (2011, ‘12) additionally ran for greater than 200 yards 4 instances whereas at Wisconsin.

One of the spirited performers within the historical past of Wisconsin soccer. Borland is sixth at school historical past with 420 whole tackles, sits fifth with 234 solos and fourth with regards to tackles for loss (50). He is additionally Wisconsin’s all-time chief with 15 compelled fumbles and is tied for second with eight fumbles recovered. The Massive Ten Freshman of the 12 months in 2009 and the league’s defensive participant of the 12 months in 2013, Boland was a three-time, first-team all-conference performer. Borland was named first-team All-American as a senior. 

One other beloved Badger who started his school profession as a walk-on, Abbrederis loved fairly the profession at Wisconsin. His 202 receptions are tied with Brandon Williams for essentially the most on the college. In the meantime, his 3,140 profession yards are second-most in program historical past, and the 23 touchdowns recorded are tied for second amongst all Wisconsin gamers. Abbrederis ended his Badgers profession as a two-time first-team All-Massive Ten performer, and was the 2013 winner of the Burlsworth Trophy, honoring the nation’s most excellent participant to start his profession as a walk-on.

One other in a gradual line of outstanding Wisconsin operating backs. Gordon’s 4,915 dashing yards rank fourth amongst all Badgers. In the meantime, his 2,587 yards from 2014 are second-most for a single season in NCAA FBS historical past, and the 408 he gained versus Nebraska on Nov. 15, 2014, sit third within the annals of FBS motion. The 2014 Doak Walker Award winner and All-American, Gordon additionally ranks among the many Badgers’ prime 10 in dashing touchdowns (45), and is this system’s all-time chief with a profession 7.79 common yards per carry.

The one middle in Wisconsin soccer historical past to win the Rimington Trophy (2019), awarded yearly to the nation’s prime participant on the place. Biadasz redshirted to start his collegiate profession with the Badgers, however quickly turned the anchor of the workforce’s offensive line. Biadasz began all 14 video games in 2017, and each contest in 2018, as nicely. After recovering from hip surgical procedure, Biadasz began all 14 video games and was named an unanimous All-American throughout his Rimington-winning ’19 marketing campaign, his final in Madison.

Taylor joins Ron Dayne as the one Badgers to prime 6,000 dashing yards for a profession. And, in spectacular style, Taylor’s 6,174 dashing yards came to visit simply three seasons for the Badgers. As well as, the three-time first-team All-Massive Ten choice, two-time unanimous All-American and two-time recipient of the Doak Walker Award (2018, ’19), Taylor ranks second at school historical past for profession yards per carry (6.67), second in single-season dashing yards (2,194 in 2018), third in single-game dashing yards (321 in 2018) and third in dashing touchdowns (50).