Former Badger Zack Baun is already making a DPOY case and it's only game 1

Philadelphia Eagles star Zack Baun was incredible in the inaugural game for the NFL. At the end of the night NBC had listed him as the defensive star of the night and that might be the first of many such accolades that could lead to a Defensive Player of the Year sort of season.

Baun was the leading solo tackler for either team with six. He had a team high and a game high (tied) for total tackles with nine. He also had a pass defense and one DPOY highlight reel play where he used his speed to track down Miles Sanders to save a touchdown. That wasn't even the only amazing play he made on that drive.

Dallas could have truly won that game without Baun's performance and leadership for the defense. Instead, it was the Eagles.

Zack Baun shows in game one that he could be the top linebacker and defender in the NFL

Related: The Eagles almost lost the game but former Badger Zack Baun made two incredible plays

Baun was an NFL All-Pro last season and a Super Bowl champion. He went into the offseason as a free agent, but the Eagles were able to sign him to a three-year $51 million contract. That deal is already showing how much value the Eagles are getting. He's one game into the season, and he's showing All-Pro caliber defense once again.

The fact that he could outrace Miles Sanders to catch him from behind shows how much of an athletic freak he is. It's not just the mental side of linebacker; he can cover, make sacks, and get into the backfield to blow up runs. In fact, in this first game, he also had a tackle for loss.

Of course, the season is long and there's a lot to play, but former Badger Zack Baun has to be at least on some Defensive Player of the Year watchlist.