Wisconsin Football: David Edwards declares for NFL draft

Unsurprisingly, Wisconsin Football junior right tackle David Edwards has decided to enter this spring’s NFL draft. How will the Badgers replace him next season?

David Edwards did not have the kind of season he had hoped for.

The redshirt junior right tackle’s play was up and down all year long as he dealt with a nagging shoulder injury that he suffered in fall camp, and it finally proved to be too difficult to play through by the end of the season, as he sat out Wisconsin’s last three games. Nonetheless, it looks like Edwards’ shaky performance and his injury has not damaged his stock in the eyes of NFL scouts.

Yesterday, he announced his decision to forego his final year of eligibility and enter this spring’s draft.

This is the second year in a row that Edwards had to make a decision regarding whether or not to turn pro, as he also considered a jump to the NFL after a big redshirt sophomore season in which he was a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection and was named a third-team Associated Press All-American. The NFL Draft Advisory Board gave him a second round grade, but Edwards still opted to return to Madison and help the Badgers reach their goal of a Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff berth.

Fast-forward one year, and Edwards should still be a second round selection. Per CBS Sports, he currently ranks as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 48 overall player in the class.

Depending on the decision of center Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin could now see as many as four of its offensive linemen drafted this spring.

Edwards’ decision represents the culmination of a wild ride for him at Wisconsin. The Illinois native played quarterback in high school but was recruited as a tight end for the Badgers, and he played at that position throughout his first year in the program. However, thanks to his huge 6’7 size and a deep tight end group on the roster, the coaching staff made the decision to move Edwards to the offensive line in 2016.

Looking back, it’s safe to say that change paid off quite well for Edwards and the team as a whole. I think I speak for all Badgers fans in saying that it was a pleasure of watching him emerge into the nation’s top offensive linemen while playing a huge role in the success of Wisconsin’s dominant rushing attack.

Edwards’ vacant spot on the line should be filled in nicely by Logan Bruss, who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2019.

Bruss played in all 13 games this season and performed admirably. He made three starts as an extra tight end in Wisconsin’s jumbo package, and started an additional three contests at right tackle for Edwards when he sat out with his injury at the end of the season.