Wisconsin Football: Badgers ILB T.J. Edwards

The next edition of the Wisconsin Football player spotlight series is on senior linebacker T.J. Edwards. He skipped out on the draft to come back to Madison and will be a leader on the defense in 2018.

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18 Wisconsin Football inside linebacker T.J. Edwards (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) /

Wisconsin Football has become synonymous with defense. T.J. Edwards is a large part of that and will likely continue the tradition as one of the leaders on the defense under Jim Leonhard. The Badgers lost several key pieces on the defensive side of the ball, but Edwards deciding to return for his senior year helps keep the unit a strength.

Edwards has been a contributor on defense since his freshman year. He played in every single game for the Badgers that he’s been eligible for and has made impacts along the way. Last year, Edwards recorded his best season yet with 11 tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions. He was rewarded for his play by being named first team AP All-American.

Edwards’ best game of the season came against Michigan where he had 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass break-up. He also played very well against Ohio State and Miami when the team needed him most. Playing his best football at the end of the year is a great jumping off point for 2018.

Looking ahead to 2018

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Wisconsin Football inside linebacker T.J. Edwards (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Edwards might be the best player on the defense in 2018, but he might also be in the best position group too. The inside linebackers are not going to be a concern, largely because of Edwards, but also because of Ryan Connelly and Chris Orr. The rest of the middle of the defense will be strong with Olive Sagapolu and Isaiahh Loudermilk on the line and D’Cota Dixon in the secondary.

The perimeter of the defense, outside linebackers and cornerbacks, lost a lot of talent after 2017. It’ll be up to the leaders of the defense, like Edwards, to help keep the defense sound and support the other position groups with elite play.

Edwards is potentially looking at an historic season at inside linebacker. There’s nothing an opposing team can throw at him that he won’t already have seen before. He has played against elite talent on big stages. His ability to cover is what can really put him over the top. The Badger defense will be in attack mode, as it has been for years. Edwards should be able to make plays from that pressure. He tied for the team lead in interceptions and defends passes as well as any linebacker in the country.

Next: Top 10 Wisconsin games since 2010

Wisconsin’s defense likely will not be ranking in the top five in major categories nationally like it did in 2017, but Edwards will be a big reason why it is still able to help Wisconsin win tight games.