Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a rough start to the season for Badgers junior kicker Kyle French. Beginning the season as Wisconsin’s starting field goal kicker, French was benched after the game against Northwestern and announced later in the week that he will forgo his senior season.
French is 5-for-8 on the year, and in an era where kickers are becoming more and more accurate, the start to the season has been disappointing to say the least. Tack on a missed extra point as well and this season has not been kind to French at all. For his career in Madison, French has gone 18-for-29.
On Thursday night French originally posted on Facebookthat the Badgers coaching staff asked him to forgo his senior season and focus on career outside of football. He then tweeted Friday that the decision was mutual between him and the coaching staff:
"Thanks for all the support. It was mutual agreement that is best for everyone. #OnWisconsin"
Sophomore Jack Russell will now take over the field goal kicking duties as the Badgers play Illinois Saturday night. Coach Gary Andersen however surprised many, myself included, when he said that star senior linebacker Chris Borland would be long distance kicker for the Badgers if they need to try from 45 yards or further out.
French is on track to graduate with a degree in personal finance in the spring and could possibly graduate with his degree in economics by next fall.