Wisconsin football places five guys on the Associated Press All American Teams for the 2017 college football season
A historic Wisconsin football season kept earning accolades on Monday as announced by the UW Athletic Department. The Badgers placed five on the AP All American teams.
A balanced Wisconsin team had honorees on both sides of the ball and its pretty consistent with previous award lists.
For starters, freshman RB Jonathan Taylor and senior TE Troy Fumagalli earned nods on the 2nd Team. On the defensive side, ILB TJ Edwards was also on the AP 2nd Team.
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Elsewhere, the right side of the OL is on the AP 3rd Team. Both RG Beau Benzschawel and RT Dave Edwards are on the third tier of the AP All American teams. This is fairly consistent with Wisconsin’s AP All American history:
"Over the last 10 seasons, the Badgers have produced 13 offensive linemen that earned All-America honors."
According to the news release, Taylor is the only true freshman to earn AP All American recognition. In addition, 2010 was the last time Wisconsin put five Badgers on the AP All American teams.
So here are my reactions to where the Badgers were placed.
- Putting Taylor on the 2nd Team is probably the right move. Heisman finalist Bryce Love and the nation’s leading rusher Rashaad Penny (San Diego St) were on the 1st Team. Literally the only guys who rushed for more yards than Taylor so probably a good call AP
- Fumagalli I think gets by a lot on reputation. Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate his role on the Wisconsin offense. But there isn’t a statistical argument for putting him ahead of a lot of other guys at the position.
- I’m a TJ Edwards believer so happy to see him honored. Based on numbers its fair to put Malik Jefferson (Texas) and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) over Edwards. But I think there’s an argument that TJ Edwards should be ahead of Dorian O’Daniel (Clemson). O’Daniel has more tackles (84-75) and sacks (5-2) than Edwards. But Edwards has better pass coverage numbers. So it depends on what you value, pass rushing, or pass coverage.
- You can’t logically have an All American team without including Wisconsin OL. I do think the Badger historical reputation makes it tougher to highlight one guy. Clemson and Notre Dame did have two OL honored.
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Ultimately, Wisconsin acquitted itself quite well. Clemson placed six on the All American teams while Oklahoma had five. Those are the only teams to exceed or match the Badgers. Importantly four of five Wisconsin AP All Americans can return to the 2018 Badgers.