Wisconsin Football Countdown : No. 46, Jeff Mack
By Jim Oxley
As the countdown to the first Wisconsin football game of the season continues, Badger of Honor is taking a look at Badgers by the numbers, checking in on a different Badger or Badgers players who wore the number corresponding with the remaining days until the Badgers head to Texas to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, Sept. 5.
Next up in our countdown, signifying 46 days until college football is back, is Jeff Mack.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have actually had two players named Jeff Mack in school history, but the one we’re focusing on was a linebacker at Wisconsin from 2000 to 2003. (The other Jeff Mack wore No. 39 and played receiver from 1972 to 1974. He has 1,108 career reception yards, 22nd best all time at UW. But we’re talking No. 46 today…)
Mack, a Madison native, was a strong tackler for the Badgers .
A four-year starter at linebacker, Mack totaled 298 tackles over the course of his career.
He shared Alamo Bowl MVP honors with Brooks Bollinger in 2002 after the Badgers upset No. 14 Colorado.
He led the team with 98 tackles in his senior season in 2003, and was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection that season. He was also a team captain in 2003.
Who wore No. 46 first?
• Milwaukee end James Davies was the first Badgers player to wear No. 46 in 1927.
Who wears No. 46 now?
• Redshirt senior tight end Austin Traylor currently wears No. 46 for the Badgers. Traylor is Wisconsin’s best blocking tight end, and played a minor role in the passing game next season. With Sam Arneson graduated, Traylor figures to see heavy playing time along with Troy Fumagalli this season. The Badgers love to use two tight-end sets, and when multiple tight ends are on the field, it’s a safe bet Traylor is one of them.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.
Next: Wisconsin Football Experience