Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: Naming our MVP for the Linebackers

By Noah Seligman

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines is brought down by Ryan Connelly #43 and T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines is brought down by Ryan Connelly #43 and T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Badger of Honor offers it Wisconsin football season MVP for the linebackers and the choice cannot be much of a surprise.

Despite the revolving door at defensive coordinator, strong linebacking play has been a constant for Wisconsin football.  The Badger linebackers are the force in the run defense and the juice in the pass rush.

Wisconsin football LB are six of the top nine in total tackles.   They’re also six of the top seven in total sacks.

Interestingly, there is now a single Badger LB among the top 31 tacklers in the Big Ten.  The highest is the team’s leader tackler Ryan Connelly with 80 total tackles.

Wisconsin Badgers Football
Wisconsin Badgers Football /

Wisconsin Badgers Football

That’s a testament to the balance and range of contributions Wisconsin gets from the unit.  They aren’t dependent on one individual to make the LB group sing.

Yet there is one guy that stands out to me as the MVP of the unit.  Especially given the preseason injuries that seemingly destroyed depth.  And that’s junior TJ Edwards.

Edwards is that sideline-to-sideline menace effective on any down and distance.  He is second on the team in tackles with 75 and chipped in seven pass breakups along with four interceptions.

Edwards really doesn’t have to come off the field ever thanks to his incredible instincts and athleticism in pass coverage.  He’s really an unequaled weapon for the Badger defense this season and the easy choice for LB MVP.

I appreciate what Connelly has done all year and Garrett Dooley’s pass rush.  But Edwards is the most complete LB on the team and will be the hardest to replace when he’s done in Madison.

He has a season of eligibility left, but I am certain that Edwards has to be carefully studying his options.  LB with his combination of size and speed aren’t plentiful and his pass drops has some serious value in the NFL.