Wisconsin Football: Jack Cichy Says Farewell to Madison

Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy penned a heartfelt Player’s Tribune post announcing the next step in his football career.

Badger football weathered a big blow before the first snap of the 2017 season.  Star(ting) linebacker Jack Cichy tore his ACL during practice and lost for the year.

As you can tell from the season results, the Wisconsin defense was still elite.  But it’s hard not to wonder what it would have been like with arguably its best linebacker not named TJ Edwards.

As a redshirt senior, Cichy had the option of petitioning the omnipotent NCAA for a sixth season in Madison.  But in a Player’s Tribune post he announced he will forego that option.

"I’ve decided not to apply for a sixth year of eligibility and to instead declare for the NFL draft…I’m going to take my shot and see what happens."

Instead, Cichy will enter the NFL Draft and hope somebody is satisfied with his recovery.  Given the timing of his injury, it’s unlikely Cichy will be able to workout for NFL scouts at the NFL Combine or the Wisconsin Pro Day.

Related Story: Wisconsin Football Depth Chart at ILB Things Again

But given his injury history, he would be taking a chance on returning to Madison and trying to put together a fully healthy 2018 campaign.

He’ll be depending on his impressive body of work from three active seasons with the Badgers to justify a draft pick.  Keep in mind, his junior season was abrogated due to a pectoral injury.  So he only played in seven games a season ago.

Nonetheless, he still notched 60 tackles, the same number from his 13-game sophomore season.   He also tallied 15 total tackles-for-loss over his previous two seasons.

Related Story: Wisconsin Loses Star LB Jack Cichy to ACL Tear

The entire post is well worth your time.  Cichy documents growing up a massive Badger fan in Wisconsin and really only ever considering Wisconsin.

"From the time I was a little kid growing up in Somerset, Wisconsin, I always wanted to be a Badger….When I got the opportunity to walk on at Madison after high school, it was an absolute no-brainer"

He also speaks effusively and warmly about the Wisconsin football program.  Finally, Cichy clearly loved his college years in Madison and the friendships and memories created.

Next: Wisconsin Badgers Earn AP All American Honors

So we certainly wish Cichy well as he chases his NFL dreams.  Of course Wisconsin will miss his passion and production.  Hopefully he’ll get a mid round NFL chance and somebody will be getting a tremendous value wherever he is drafted.