Wisconsin Football: Which former Badgers made the cut in the NFL?

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.