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ESPN writers name former Badger Ryan Ramczyk top player at OT

By Tanner Nestle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #32 overall by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #32 overall by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Ramczyk was named by ESPN NFL Insiders as one of the best players in the league under the age of 25.

Ryan Ramczyk was one of the great stories in college football for the one season he played in Madison. He transferred to Wisconsin from a division three program and eventually became an All-American and first-round NFL draft pick. Wisconsin may not always dominate the high school recruiting trails, but it finds elite talent anyway.

Wisconsin is known for producing dominant offensive linemen, and that’s no secret. Some of the best linemen in the NFL, in the last decade, have come from the Badgers. Former Badger Joe Thomas is one of the greatest linemen of all time. This year, the Badgers look like they’ll have the best unit in the country and more Badgers will populate the NFL Draft’s first round in 2019.

It’s easy for any former Badger offensive lineman to get looked over because the list is so lengthy. Ramczyk, having only played one season, is especially prone to this. But being named to a list like this goes a long way in ensuring nobody forgets just how talented Ramczyk was, and is.

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Some of the other names on ESPN’s list have already been anointed the future of the NFL. Ramczyk is well on his way to becoming one of the best tackles in the league.

Ramczyk was part of a power run scheme in Madison where most of the work was done by running backs. As a pro in New Orleans, Ramczyk gets to play in a wildly different scheme. Drew Brees is a legend at the quarterback position and the Saints move the ball mostly through the air.

Next: Ten reasons Wisconsin is overlooked

Ramczyk’s success in both schemes shows how truly great and versatile he is. The skills that landed him on this list should keep him around in the league for many years as he looks to join the elite ranks of his position.