Badgers Drafted Into the NFL in 2015

Which Badgers players were drafted into the NFL in 2015? Even though they aren't one of the more prestigious schools out there, the Wisconsin Badgers do seem to have a few players that are drafted each year. This year they had two. Let's take a look at those.

Melvin Gordon/RB- Melvin Gordon entered this draft as one of the premier running backs available. He ended up being the second one taken. Todd Gurley was selected by the St. Louis Rams at number 10 overall. Gordon was selected number 15 overall by the San Diego Chargers. Gordon will go to a team that has been searching for a number one running back since LaDainian Tomlinson left in 2009. Gordon has good speed and will fit well in the Chargers offense.

Rob Havenstein/OL- The other Wisconsin Badger selected in the 2015 NFL draft was offensive lineman Rob Havenstein. Rob Havenstein was taken by the St. Louis Rams with the 57^th selection overall, late in round two. He will should be an important part of the Rams line early, and will be important in keeping new quarterback Nick Foles upright and will be asked to open holes for rooking running back Todd Gurley as well.

There were other Badgers that were draft prospects but didn't get drafted. Still, that does not mean their NFL dreams are over. Wide receiver Kenzel Doe was invited to the New England Patriots mini-camp but did not earn a contract. Defensive lineman Warren Herring actually signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons, and has a good shot to make the team, or at least the Falcons practice squad. Defensive back Peniel Jean did not get picked up by anyone.

Badgers Need No Stinking Quarterback In 2014 | Random NCAA Notes

As those of you who read this blog on a weekly basis no, I have spent a great deal of time making jokes of the Badgers current quarterback situation. Well last Saturday Melvin Gordon decided that to completely deem the Badgers quarterback is irrelevant. Gordon set an NCAA record with 25 carries for 450 yards and four touchdowns. By the way, Joel Stave finished 7-11 for 46 yards and a touchdown. I still say the quarterbacks need to play better because Gordon is not going to run for 450 yards every week. The Gophers slipped up against Ohio State last week, but it is no big deal as right now the Buckeyes are one of the hottest teams in America. I still think the Gophers may actually finally have what it takes to beat the Badgers this season for the first time in quite a while.

I originally ruled out Oregon after their crushing loss at home against Arizona. But somehow they have crawled their way back and now find themselves on the inside track to the playoffs this season. Also crawling their way back in has been Alabama. At halftime of the Arkansas game, I thought we were watching the beginning of the end for the mighty Crimson Tide under nick Saban. But they gathered themselves and fought their way right back into the playoffs. Auburn has ran into some struggles this season after last season’s miracle run. Still, they are not out of it yet and could still win the SEC, although with two losses already the playoffs may be unlikely.

Todd Gurley Comes Back To Bulldogs and Random Notes

 Over in the SEC East Todd Gurley returned for Georgia. On his first touch coming off his suspension, Gurley returned a kickoff for a touchdown but is was brought back due to a holding penalty. His day got worse and he tore his ACL, effectively ending his season. Florida has finally made a decision on head coach Will Muschamp, he will not return in 2015. Many have been calling for the hiring of Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen. You know what, that kind of crap sickens me. These big poster schools can not stand let someone else have the spotlight for five minutes. Let the man at least finish the season before you make any such demands.

Badgers 2013 Bowl Opportunities | Should Wisconsin Find A New Quarterback?

The Wisconsin Badgers are going to finish the 2013 college football regular season at 9-3, and 6-2 in Big Ten Conference Play. The Badgers are now headed for the Capital One Bowl following the events of the Auburn-Alabama game this weekend, as Vern Lundquist called it, “an answered prayer”. The Alabama loss puts Ohio State into the national championship game if they beat Michigan State this Saturday. If Michigan State does indeed win that game, the BCS selection committee would probably bring Ohio State into the BCS as an at large team, therefore placing Wisconsin into the Capital One Bowl regardless. Yes the Badgers run of three straight Big Ten Championships is over, but overall a successful season.

Well if the Badgers had a successful season, they why are we talking about them needing to make a change at quarterback? The success this season for Wisconsin had nothing to do with Joel Stave. Rather the 9-3 record is due to the play of running backs Melvin Gordon and James White, as well as the fact that this defense was sixth in the nation in points per game at 14.8. Stave had nothing to do with it. In fact, Stave at times hampered Wisconsin. 

Does Wisconsin Replace Quarterback Stave?

I understand the Badgers are not exactly known for great quarterback play, but their quarterbacks have always been good caretakers of the football and of time of possession. Stave’s play in 2013 started out okay, but got gradually worse as the season went on, and this last Saturday, in the 31-24 loss against Penn State, Stave was just plain awful. He finished the game 29-53 with 339 yards and three interceptions. Don’t let the passing yards fool you, he played terrible.

I don’t think they will make a change before the bowl game. There is no reason to play Curt Phillips in the bowl game and it wouldn’t be a good idea to give any of the freshmen the start. They have gone this far with Stave, might as well let him finish the job. There are a lot of people who think that just because a player isn’t going to be in the team’s plan next season, he should be benched. I say let him finish the job he signed up for. But come the offseason, it may be time to look at other options. Right now, outside of Stave, and senior Curt Phillips, the Badgers have a lot of unknowns on the roster. Two freshmen who certainly look the part, Thad Armstrong and Bart Houston come to mind. Conner Senger, a freshman from Milwaukee that I have personally interviewed, is undersized but is a good football player. Another option would be a sophomore named Tanner McEvoy.

Bottom line, whether it is Joel Stave, or someone else, the Badgers need better play out of the quarterback play out of the quarterback position then what Stave gave them this season.