The 2014 college football season is winding down, and Badger of Honor is bidding farewell to the Wisconsin football players who will leave the team following the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2015.
Up next in our countdown is one of the best defensive players on the 2014 Wisconsin Badgers squad, linebacker Derek Landisch.
Landisch has been Wisconsin’s best pass rusher this season, totaling a team-high nine sacks. He’s third on the team with 77 total tackles (45 solo, 32 assisted), and leads the team with 16 tackles for loss.
Badger of Honor Top 10 Football Play of the Year nominee: Landisch with a big sack against Purdue http://t.co/BI8TuGIkz7
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) December 17, 2014
Landisch also added an interception early in the season.
Badger of Honor Top 10 Football Play of the Year nominee: Derek Landisch interception against USF
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) December 16, 2014
http://t.co/JI9NPRFYH9
Landisch surprised many in his first season starting in place of the graduated Chris Borland. He had only started three games prior to the 2014 season, although in four years at Wisconsin he’s played in 51 games since playing special teams as a true freshman in 2011.
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The first-year regular starter even has some NFL eyes on him, as before the season NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler projected him to be the 42nd best inside linebacker in the country, and said he had the chance to bring similar qualities to the field as his predecessor.
"“Landisch has similar size as Chris Borland and the athleticism is comparable, but where he needs to show improvement is his instincts to read, diagnose and attack, performing that sequence quicker and more consistent.”"
While Landisch likely hasn’t lived up to the high bar Borland set for Wisconsin linebackers, Landisch hasn’t disappointed Badgers fans.
His high-speed play and playmaking abilities will be missed on the 2015 Badgers team.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our countdown of the Top 10 Badgers We’ll Miss. Up next, number 3, Marcus Trotter.
Statistics courtesy UWBadgers.com.
Badgers We’ll Miss:
11. The rest of the senior class
10. Peniel Jean
9. Kenzel Doe
6. Sam Arneson