Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Some would call Wisconsin Badgers red-shirt freshman,Vince Biegel, a prodigy.
The definition of a prodigy spawns from Latin, and holds ties to a person being associated as a son or daughter.
At the game in Madison, Saturday, will be Biegel’s biggest fans – his parents. Both Jamie and Rocky Biegel know a thing or two about the game of football. Specifically, Rocky.
Like his son, Vince, Rocky grew up in Wisconsin Rapids and was a high school star in three sports. Football, specifically the linebacker position, eventually became his calling at BYU, though before heading west he excelled as much if not more, on the wrestling mat. He went undefeated in both his junior and senior seasons, and for two straight years his opponents never even made it to the third period.
Once at college as a linebacker, he quickly became noticed by his coaches as one of the hardest working athletes on the team, and his love for the game, practicing and getting better in the weight room became infectious.
Come Saturday, the BYU blue that runs through the veins of Rocky Biegel might be hard to suppress. Vince admits that although he tries to look at each game as important ones, this one holds a little high significance because of his family ties to the university he almost called home.
“I would be lying to you if I said this game wasn’t in the back of my mind for awhile now,” Vince said. “It’s a big game for myself and the Biegel family.”
Vince was highly recruited out of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School. On top of his list was Wisconsin, but not far behind of course was BYU who both his father and uncle, played and starred for after their high school days in Rapids. His grandfather, Ken, is also a BYU alumni. Just one more tie between the Biegel family and BYU.
“I know many of the coaches and players and I have a lot of respect for that program,” Vince said of his teams opponent this weekend. “They heavily recruited me. (I know it will be hard), but I plan on approaching this game like I do every week. BYU is a great football team and will be ready for them come this Saturday.”
In an interview back in March, coach Gary Andersen was asked about Biegel and how he thought his skills would fit well into the 3-4 defensive scheme Wisconsin has showcased so far this season.
“He’s athletic (and) he’s very smart,” Andersen said. “He’s playing a little bit in a position he’s not used to, but athletically he fits the bill very, very well. I think he’s excited about that spot, has been for a number of weeks. We’ll see how he evolves as we move along.”
Reading up on Biegel’s father, Rocky, a star at BYU in the late 80’s, it somewhat easy to see how the prodigy aspect comes into play as his head coach back then had a lot of the same things to say about the elder Biegel.
“The thing the other players admire most about Rocky is his work ethic. I don’t think he’s missed a practice this fall. He loves to work and he loves to practice.”