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Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 12, Dezmen Southward

By Jim Oxley

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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 12 days until college football is back, is Dezmen Southward.

Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers /

Wisconsin Badgers

Southward, a Wisconsin defensive back from 2010 to 2013, Dezmen Southward made his name as one of the most durable defensive backs in school history.

He set a UW record while on campus by playing in all 54 games of his career, including all 13 games of his true freshman season.

He started three games as a sophomore, and finished his career by starting all 27 games of his junior and senior seasons.

Southward totaled 152 career tackles (11.5 for a loss), forced four fumbles and grabbed two pics. He also recorded 13 pass deflections during his career.

Southward turned in an impressive Pro Day prior to the 2014 NFL Draft, and it certainly helped him along the draft process.

Southward was a third round selection by the Atlanta Falcons, No. 68 overall. He totaled 23 tackles, an interception, a sack and two passes defended in his rookie season. Southward is currently transitioning to cornerback in Dan Quinn‘s defense.

Who wore No. 12 first?

• Quarterback Sam Behr was the first Badgers player to wear No. 12 back in 1928.

Who wears No. 12 now?

• Two Badgers currently wear No. 12. On offense, true freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook wears No. 12. Defensively, wide receiver turned cornerback Natrell Jamerson wears No. 12.

Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.

Next: Wisconsin Football Experience

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