Regular season superlatives for the Wisconsin football team
By Dillon Graff
![Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates scoring a 71-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Nebraska during their football game Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Wiscvsnebraskafb 1120210262djpb Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates scoring a 71-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Nebraska during their football game Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Wiscvsnebraskafb 1120210262djpb](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/739d192bd5d783a61e183fb2c6bb6bcbd5368b4144b31e9773d6317fb37583d6.jpg)
Best Offensive Player: Jake Ferguson
Braelon Allen aside, there was no more reliable player on offense than senior tight end – Jake Ferguson. He was Wisconsin’s highest-graded offensive player (85.2) among their preferred starters.
Jake Ferguson caught 43 passes (team-high) for 417 yards (2nd on team) en route to being named a very deserving 1st team All-Big Ten member.
Barry Alvarez’s grandson was a terrific four-year contributor for Wisconsin and his on-field production is going to be sorely missed.
Best Defensive Player: Leo Chenal
The pride of Grantsburg, WI was an absolute monster at ILB for the Wisconsin football team in 2021. That’s why it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when Chenal was named the Big Ten linebacker of the year.
Leo Chenal finished the regular season having registered: 106 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
- Overall grade: (91.2) – 1st on Wisconsin’s defense
- Run-defense grade: (93.6) – 1st on Wisconsin’s defense
- Pass-rush grade: (92.2) – 1st Wisconsin’s defense
- Tackling grade: (85.5) – 1st on Wisconsin’s defense
There are no guarantees that Chenal will be back for a Senior season, but he certainly gave fans a season we won’t soon forget. Leo Chenal is one of the best linebackers who have donned the cardinal and white.