Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football 2018 Postseason Awards

By Tanner Nestle

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers look on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers look on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 08: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates a touchdown with Tyler Biadasz #61 during the second half against the New Mexico Lobos at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Offensive Most Improved Player: Tyler Biadasz

Biadasz was already a great player for the Badgers. Over the course of the 2018 football season, he got even better. He earned first team All-Big Ten honors and is one of the anchors of the offense moving forward. It’s true for any offensive lineman on the roster, but without Biadasz this year the offense would have been much worse.

Biadasz joined Benzschawl on PFF’s All-American team and was the only other Badger lineman on the list. PFF said Biadasz had the best run-blocking grade of all centers in college football and also ranked in the top half of centers in pass-blocking.

Next year’s team will still feature Biadasz as one of the best linemen in the conference, and maybe the country. Look to hear his name a lot as the Badgers replace some of the other big names around him like Benzschawel, Deiter, and Edwards.

Defensive Most Improved Player: Isaiahh Loudermilk

Loudermilk was also one of the many defenders on the team hit with the injury bug. He started the season on the sidelines and was in and out of the lineup once he was finally able to return to play. When he was on the field he shined. Had he been healthy all year he was exactly what this team needed. It’s just unfortunate that injuries are such a commonplace in football. They eventually catch up to the better players on your team, like Loudermilk and Nelson.

Loudermilk’s numbers won’t stand out to anybody but the defensive end position in a 3-4 defense s a thankless one. Loudermilk’s job is to eat up multiple blockers and be a cog at the line of scrimmage. It sounds like an easy enough job but not anybody can do it. Loudermilk is a big body and has the skill set to also threaten the pass from his position. If he’s healthy next year he’ll be a lock to start on the defensive line and he’ll quickly become somebody offenses have to gameplan around.