Every year football fans and draft geeks poor over the scouting reports and performances of players in the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game and usually it’s a time for Wisconsin fans to just tune in to see the very few Badgers that get invited. After 2 straight Rose Bowl trips things are seemingly changing as Wisconsin is sending a record six players to the Senior Bowl and another to the East-West Shrine Game.
Up first on the calendar is the East-West Shrine Game which takes place on January 21, 2012. The game is televised on the NFL Network and kicks off at 3pm Central. There is only one Badger on the rosters and that’s Safety Aaron Henry. He’ll be representing the West squad.
After pooring over some very early grades he could have a shot at improving himself into the upper part of the middle rounds of this draft. He was rated by Mel Kiper Jr. as the 5th best Safety in the draft and is the 2nd best Free Safety according to cbssports.com, which has him rated as the 70th best player overall in the draft. So, with that type of hype he could really do himself some good with a great showing during practices and the game itself.
The next weekend sees the six Badgers take the field in the Senior Bowl. The game takes place on January 28, 2012. It will be televised on the NFL Network at 3pm Central as well. Additionally you’ll be able to witness a lot of the practices throughout the week on the NFL Network.
Who are the six Badgers? They are QB Russell Wilson, WR Nick Toon, Guard Kevin Zeitler, FB Bradie Ewing, P Brad Nortman, and DS Kyle Wojta (long snapper).
Overall this is a group that really needs to get in front of the scouts big time. Ewing, Wilson, and Toon all have shots at being late round picks and Ewing of the three may have the most to gain because he’s already been on the radar of a few teams (the Packers confirmed tape requests). Toon needs to show he’s a better route runner and can be a bit faster to be more than a late round pick and right now most have him being maybe a solid 4th or 5th WR on most NFL rosters at this point. Wilson needs to show the scouts what NC State fans and now Badger fans already know: The guy can flat out play the game and has the arm and mobility to play at the next level.
On the other side of things, the guy who might not have a lot to gain in terms of name recognition, but could also improve his draft status is guard Kevin Zeitler. Right now most have him as the 3rd or 4th best guard in the class, switching spots with Keleche Osemele of Iowa State. Most assume he’s a solid 2nd round pick, but his ability to fill in at Center and a good showing at the Senior Bowl could vault him into a late 1st round status. Will that happen, I’m not sure it will, but we’ve seen stranger things happen coming out of the Senior Bowl.
The one guy who may not get a lot of attention during the game or during the media stuff will be Kyle Wojta, but I can tell you right now he’ll be getting a lot of attention from Special Teams scouts as he’s a rock solid NFL prospect as a long snapper. I’ll give you a minute to think about this one…. When was the last time you remember a bad snap on a punt, field goal attempt, or point after attempt? ……… Still coming up empty? So am I and that’s the point. He’s Mr. Consistent and that will garner attention of NFL teams real quick.
So while we wait for NFL games on Sunday’s of those two weekends make sure to take some time and watch future members of the Badgers in the NFL family take the field to impress the scouts and have some fun against the best of the best in the 2012 NFL Draft pool.
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