Wisconsin Football: NFL Draft Projections, O-Line Coach’s Philosophy, More

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Wisconsin football program, ladies and gents, but fear not because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important news you may have missed. 

Wisconsin Badgers NFL Draft Projections 

When the NFL draft takes place on April 27, several members of the Wisconsin football program expect to hear their names called. 

At the top of that list are Joe Tippmann and Keeanu Benton, who, according to Fox Sports NFL draft rankings, are projected to go 26th and 33rd overall, respectively. 

And even though most services have Nick Herbig as a seventh-round draft pick due to profiling as a situational pass-rusher, Pro Football Focus lists him as one of their sleepers ahead of the NFL draft. 

All three will participate in the NFL combine on February 28, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can increase their stock between now and draft day. 

Jack Bicknell Talks Wisconsin Football O-Line Philosophy 

Among the many new faces on the Wisconsin football coaching staff is Jack Bicknell, the new offensive line coach who comes to UW after working with Phil Longo at North Carolina this past season. 

Bicknell, a former center at Boston College, joins the Badgers with an impressive resume (as would be expected at O-Line U), having coached in the NFL for the Giants, Chiefs, Steelers, and Dolphins, while also making collegiate stops at UNC, Ole Miss, Louisville, and Auburn. 

During a recent media availability, Bicknell discussed the tradition of offensive line play in the Wisconsin football program – and that he wanted to give all players in the o-line room a clean slate. 

After having Joe Rudolph and Bob Bostad coach the position group the past two seasons, both of whom had differing opinions on developing offensive linemen, Bicknell shared that he prefers to move guys around to see where they fit best. 

“There is no left and right..just trying to figure out who can play center-guard and then guard and tackle.”

The Wisconsin football program returns plenty of players with starting experience next season, headlined by Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig, Jake Renfro, Tanor Bortolini, Riley Mahlman, Michael Furtney, and Joe Huber – in addition to plenty of high-pedigree talents behind them pushing for snaps. 

"I think Coach Fickell and the way he runs this program, you know, everything is positive. I love that."

"We don’t dwell on the negative, we search out the positive things and talk about that." – @CoachBicknell

🔗: https://t.co/ZKEvSqcg5h

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 21, 2023

Other Wisconsin Football News

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Jack Coan balled out this past Sunday, picking up his first win as the San Antonio Brahmas defeated the Orlando Guardians 30-12. 

Coan, who went undrafted in 2022, completed 16-of-24 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns – finishing with a 125.9 passer rating while chipping in an additional 23 rushing yards. 

Jack Coan connects with Jalen Tolliver and the @XFLBrahmas extend their lead 20-6 pic.twitter.com/QCDuG9YwjI

— All Access XFL (@All_Access_XFL) February 26, 2023

Should the 6-foot-3 QB put together some solid tape while starting in the XFL, Coan might get another crack at signing with an NFL team needing another arm during camp/preseason. 

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