Former Wisconsin football linebackers TJ Edwards and Jack Sanborn reunite in Chicago

There will be a reunion between two Wisconsin football alums in the Windy City.

In the news reported by Ian Rappoport, former Badgers linebacker TJ Edwards has signed with the Chicago Bears on a three-year deal.

Source: The #Bears are on the board, signing star former #Eagles LB TJ Edwards to a 3-year deal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023

Edwards joins Jack Sanborn in Chicago, giving the Bears a significant boost to their linebacker room. Both players were undrafted free agents after their time in Madison ended, and now, they’ll join forces again.

Edwards, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles for four years, had a season to remember. In 17 games played, the former Badger posted 159 total tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. He also hauled in two interceptions on 13 defended passes.

Sanborn was a standout linebacker for the Chicago Bears in his rookie year after being picked up as an undrafted free agent. The former Badgers linebacker made his first start in week nine and finished the season with 64 total tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. Sanborn was injured near the end of the regular season but should be back to full health in 2023.

The former Badgers were teammates during the 2018 season when Sanborn was a freshman and Edwards was a senior.

Edwards was Wisconsin’s most prolific defender, as he posted 112 total tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Meanwhile, Sanborn appeared in four games during the 2018 season, where he notched seven total tackles and a forced fumble.

The Badgers saw limited time together on the field in Madison but could be the potential starting linebackers for Chicago. After impressive seasons from the Wisconsin football alums, they’ll join forces and terrorize offenses in 2023.

How did Wisconsin football alums fare at the NFL Combine?

Wisconsin football alums Keeanu Benton, Joe Tippmann, and Nick Herbig attended the NFL Combine this past weekend.

Here’s a look at how the former Badgers fared at the combine and what analysts are saying following their showings.

Nick Herbig

Herbig earned himself a prospect grade of 6.23 following his performance at the NFL Combine.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound EDGE completed the 40-yard dash and the bench press but did not participate in other workouts. Herbig posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, coming in at 15th among all EDGEs. He also completed 25 bench press reps, good for 8th in his position.

Here is what NFL analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Herbig:

“A three-year starter as a 3-4 outside linebacker, Herbig is lacking in size and strength but possesses plenty of athleticism and potential. He can be a slippery rusher with subtle hands and a wicked inside move that leaves tackles in the mud. His lack of play strength limits his speed-to-power rush and his ability to stand his ground against tackles looking to widen him off the mark. He would benefit from a year in the weight room to get ready for NFL edge work, but he might have the instincts and athletic ability for consideration as an off-ball linebacker.”

Herbig is now a projected day-three pick for the NFL Draft after previously being projected as an undrafted player. Although a small jump, Herbig raised his draft stock after a solid showing at the combine.

Keeanu Benton

Benton was the only Wisconsin football alum to complete a full workout at the NFL Combine.

Here are Benton’s numbers:

40-yard dash: 5.08 seconds
Vertical jump: 29.5″
Broad jump: 9′ 3″
3-cone drill: 7.3 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.65 seconds
Bench press: 25 reps

Benton’s 40-yard dash time was good for the eighth spot among all defensive tackles. On top of that, the 6-foot-4, 304-pound DT finished in the top five in every other drill.

Here’s Lance Zierlein’s analysis of Benton:

“Benton is a powerful interior defensive lineman with size and persistence. He lacks the early rep explosiveness needed to get decisive wins at the point of attack on the pro level, though. Block engagements become drawn-out brawls at times, but he does a nice job of defeating block sustains and often finds himself near the play. He lacks a wide base and sturdy anchor, so he’ll need to improve his pad level to prevent double teams from moving him around too easily. He’s solid but needs to become a more consistently impactful force in the middle to make noise as an NFL starter.”

After impressing at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, Benton is a projected third-round pick who could be a good backup as he works his way to a starting spot. Wisconsin football fans know this, but whoever takes Benton will get a damn good player.

Joe Tippmann

Tippmann did not participate in workouts at the NFL Combine, but he did take his measurements.

Here are Tippmann’s measurements:

Height: 6” 6″
Weight: 313 lbs
Arm: 32 3/4
Hand: 10 3/4

Tippmann has the highest projection among Badgers who declared for the draft, as he is a projected second to third-round pick who can be a day-one starter.

Here’s what Lance Zierlein has to say about Tippmann:

“Two-year starter with the weight room strength and athleticism for work in a variety of run schemes. Tippmann is taller than your average center, but he can bend enough to neutralize at the point of attack. He’s a fluid move blocker who can make wide pulls, climbing cut-offs and adjustments to moving targets in space. He’s recognized for his football intelligence in the pivot and is an effective communicator. He needs to play with better posture and tighter hands to stay mirrored in protection and to improve his body control through engagement. Tippmann’s size, strength, smarts, and athleticism should help him become a starter in the NFL.”

Although Tippmann did not complete a workout, he will likely be the first Badger selected in the NFL Draft in April.

With the combine now over, the draft is just a month away. Be sure to watch where these former Badgers are taken as they begin their NFL journeys.

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Wisconsin Football Alum Keeanu Benton’s NFL Draft Profile

Former Wisconsin football nose tackle Keeanu Benton has entered the combine with some hype after the senior bowl.

Initially projected to be a fourth-round pick, there have been projections as high as the end of the first round.

The former three-star recruit from Janesville, Wisconsin, had a good year on the defensive line for the Badgers.

Keeanu Benton was a bright spot for Wisconsin football this year. The former Badger has an impressive profile that should interest GMs around the league.

Measurements

Height: 6’4″
Weight: 309 lbs
Arm Length: 33 7/8″
Hand Size: 9 3/4″

Combine Testing

40-yard Dash: 5.08 seconds
Vertical Jump: 29.5″
Broad Jump: 9’3″
Short-Shuttle: 4.65 seconds
Three-Cone: 7.34 seconds
Bench Reps: 25 Reps

Strengths

• Uses his hands well and is very violent with a strong punch.
• Benton does an excellent job using leverage.
• Plays with good power and does a good job keeping his eyes in the backfield.
• Former Wrestler

Weaknesses

• Lacks a suddenness or quickness with his first steps.
• Doesn’t have a consistent, effective pass rush move.
• Needs to get better at collapsing the pocket on passes.

Scouting Report

Keeanu Benton had a solid year anchoring the Wisconsin football defensive line at nose tackle. He was outstanding against the run and made an impact on the defense. One of the many attributes he has is his long arms. His long arms and quick and violent hands make him a tough guy to block. In addition, his ability to shed blocks and disrupt run plays in the backfield is impressive.

I like Keeanu Benton ALOT. #Browns #SeniorBowl
pic.twitter.com/DJCN8cffH1

— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) February 2, 2023

Keeanu Benton had 4.5 sacks his senior for the Badgers. Most would say that Keeanu’s weakness is his pass rush. When you watch the film, it is evident that he doesn’t have a move he can fall back on to get to the quarterback. At the Senior Bowl, he showed that he had been working on pass moves and was impressive.

Keeanu is an intelligent player with an excellent interior defensive lineman frame. His ability to keep his eyes in the backfield in recognizing plays is hard to teach. He can be drafted and be an impact player as he improves his ability to rush the passer. I believe Benton will be drawn in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jimmy Malchow on Twitter. @JimmyMalchow

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