Breakout star linebacker first former Badger to appear on NFL's Top 100 list

As the NFL continues their countdown of the top 100 players in the league, one former Badger has made the list for the first time in his career after a breakout season.

Former Wisconsin linebacker and current Minnesota Viking Andrew Van Ginkel landed at No. 88 in this year's list of the best players in the NFL. Following an impressive season that included 11.5 sacks and two pick-sixes, Van Ginkel is the first Badger to crack the list so far.

Wisconsin continues to show why it is 'LinebackerU'

Wisconsin is no stranger to producing top-tier NFL linebackers (see TJ Watt, Leo Chenal, Zach Baun, Nick Herbig etc.), and now Van Ginkel has cemented himself as one of the best edge players in the league. His unique ability to rush the quarterback and defend the pass makes him a very versatile player on defense.

After starting for two seasons on the Badgers, racking up 12 total sacks, Van Ginkel was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He had solid play for several years in south Florida, but it wasn't until last year when he made his way to Minnesota did he have a true breakout. He finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and established himself as yet another Wisconsin linebacker to dominate in the pros.

As the top-100 continues its countdown, there will be several more Badgers making their way onto the list, with players like Watt and Jonathan Taylor potentially cracking the top-50.