Wisconsin Football: Freshman LB Jack Sanborn

Wisconsin Football linebacker Jack Sanborn is the next subject of the Freshman Focus series. Badger of Honor reached out to Sanborn for some info on this piece.

The highest rated player in the 2018 recruiting class for Wisconsin Football is four-star linebacker Jack Sanborn out of Lake Zurich High School in Illinois. Sanborn is ranked 347th overall by 247 Sports. He ranks 17th at his position, inside linebacker, and is 4th in the state of Illinois.

Sanborn had offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Iowa State, among others. With the NCAA’s early signing period, he was able to sign his letter of intent in December. “I felt in my gut that it was the best place for me. Wisconsin checked all the boxes,” Sanborn said of his commitment to the Badgers. “It’s probably obvious, but I’m excited to get started in Madison.”

In high school, Sanborn’s potential was evident early. In his sophomore year, he tallied 88 tackles and 7 sacks. He had 80 tackles and 3 sacks the following year as a junior. Looking at those stats, you could imagine there were probably high expectations for his senior season.

Before his final high school year could begin, there was a little hiccup.

From an article from Jesse Temple on Land of 10, Sanborn was working on a blocking drill when we felt a pinch of pain in his shoulder. Initially, he thought it was just a stinger. After it didn’t get better, he got an MRI. It revealed he had a tear in the labrum behind his left shoulder.

The doctor told him he could play if he wanted to, but it would be painful and he would need surgery after the season. Sanborn decided to play his senior year despite the injury. He never doubted playing. “Not at all. Not playing my senior year never really came up,” he said.

Looking at his stats from his senior season, you wouldn’t be able to tell he had an ailing shoulder. He finished his final high school season with 120 tackles as he led his team to a 13-1 record and captured the 7A Illinois state championship.

You can see some of his senior highlights here.

What to expect

Of course, we may not get to see Sanborn right away. Wisconsin football’s linebacker unit ranks among the best in the country, led by All-American T.J. Edwards.

Joining Edwards at the inside linebacker position are Ryan Connelly and Chris Orr. Sanborn knew when he committed to Wisconsin that he would probably have to wait his turn. With time to sit behind and learn from one of the best linebackers in the country, what should we expect from Sanborn when he gets his chance? “It will be very beneficial. I believe I can learn a lot from them. They have a lot of experience and I’m sure they will be able to help me out and I am looking forward to it,” he said of the veteran linebacker group.

An evaluation from 247 Sports:

"Productive player who does a great job of reading his keys and getting to the football quickly. Does a great job of making his way through traffic. Takes good angles to the ball carrier. Does a good job of taking on blocks because he does it with good technique, pad level and aggressiveness, but he still has room to get stronger at the next level. He does a nice job of using his same smarts and instincts in the passing game, but can still work on his man to man coverage."

With the guidance from Wisconsin’s linebacking group and coaches Bob Bostad and Jim Leonhard, Sanborn has an opportunity to be one of the next great linebackers for the Wisconsin football program.

Next: Three season-defining road games in 2018

Whether Sanborn can get on the field this year or not, remember his name. In a few years, he will be the one flying around Camp Randall making play after play.