The preseason wrapped up Thursday night. Many former Wisconsin football players are locks on their rosters, while some are fighting for their football futures. See which former Badgers made the team.
The end of the preseason often brings two feelings. The first is excitement. NFL fans everywhere look forward to this since the start of training camps. Real football is finally starting. Badger fans are excited to watch former Badger players represent Wisconsin football too. This is an extremely exciting time to be a football fan.
Then, there’s fear. Actually, fear may be a little strong. Anxiousness may be a better word. After the fourth and final preseason game, many NFL players sit around by their phones, waiting for the call that determines their fate.
There are many Badgers in the NFL like Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt, and Melvin Gordon who are guaranteed to make their teams. They get to go home, relax and start prepping for their week one games.
Others are hoping to make the 53-man roster; or at the very least, catch onto the practice squad somewhere. Anything to keep their football dreams alive. With all of the cuts done, let’s take a look at the fate of each former Badger.
Made the team
QB Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks
RB Melvin Gordon – Las Angeles Chargers
RB James White – New England Patriots
RB Corey Clement – Philadelphia Eagles
FB Derek Watt – Las Angeles Chargers
TE Lance Kendricks – Green Bay Packers
WR Alex Erickson – Cincinnati Bengals
OT Kevin Zeitler – Cleveland Browns
OT – Ryan Ramczyk – New Orleans Saints
OT Rob Havenstein – Las Angeles Rams
OL Ryan Groy – Buffalo Bills
OL Rick Wagner – Detroit Lions
OL Travis Fredrick – Dallas Cowboys
DL J.J. Watt – Houston Texans
DL Beau Allen – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Joe Schobert – Cleveland Browns
LB T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
LB Jack Cichy – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Leon Jacobs – Jacksonville Jaguars
DB Nick Nelson – Oakland Raiders
DB Natrell Jamerson – Houston Texans (claimed on waivers; cut from the New Orleans Saints)
WR Tanner McEvoy – Miami Dolphins (claimed on waivers; cut from the New Orleans Saints)
Practice Squad
DL Alec James – Arizona Cardinals
LB Garret Dooley – Minnesota Vikings
LB Vince Beigel – New Orleans Saints (cut from Green Bay Packers)
OT Tyler Marz – Tennessee Titans
RB Dare Ogunbowale – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DB Dezmen Southward – Carolina Panthers
Cut
DB Darius Hilary – Cincinnati Bengals
DL Connor Sheehy – Green Bay Packers
TE Austin Traylor – Denver Broncos
DB Sojourn Shelton – Cincinnati Bengals (Injury Settlement)
Placed on Injured Reserve/PUP
TE Troy Fumagalli – Denver Broncos (Injured Reserve)
DB Chris Maragos – Philadelphia Eagles (PUP)
Wisconsin football is well represented not only by the number but also the quality. Russell Wilson is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league this season. Melvin Gordon is one of the exciting young backs and J.J. Watt will likely continue to terrorize quarterbacks. Other former Badgers that are budding into stars include T.J. Watt and Ryan Ramczyk.
With Wisconsin football enjoying its recent success on the field and on the recruiting trail, don’t be surprised to see this list grow in the next few years.