How every former Wisconsin Badger performed in NFL Week 12 2023
Week 12 of the NFL season is complete, as Thanksgiving has moved into the rear-view and the final of the stretch of the season is imminent.
It was a Sunday, and Thursday, dominated by former Wisconsin Badgers yet again. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor ran his team to a comeback victory, Broncos QB Russell Wilson led his group to its sixth straight victory, a pair of Steelers linebackers got to the quarterback with ease and Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards led a turnover party.
There aren’t any nuggets to share better than Dare Ogunbowale kicking a go-ahead field goal. But it was still an eventful weekend for Wisconsin products in the NFL.
Here is how each of them performed:
QB Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos)
Week 12 Stats: 13/22 passing, 134 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions, 91.9 quarterback rating, 11 carries, 34 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Season Stats: 68.3% completion, 2,199 yards, 20 touchdowns, four interceptions, 103.4 quarterback rating, 53 carries, 266 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Years at Wisconsin: 2011
NFL Season: 12th
Notes: Nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion with Seattle (2014). One of the best quarterbacks of the generation.
RB Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
Week 12 Stats: 15 carries, 92 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns
Season Stats: 100 carries, 414 yards, four touchdowns, 16 receptions, 137 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2019
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro in 2021. One of the better young running backs in the NFL
OLB T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Week 12 Stats: Five tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble
Season Stats: 41 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 4 run stuffs, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defended, one interception
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2016
NFL Season: 7th
Notes: Five-time Pro Bowler (2018-2022), three-time First-Team All-Pro (2019-2021). Led NFL in sacks in 2020 (15), 2021 (22.5). 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year.
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Miami Dolphins)
Week 12 Stats: Two tackles
Season Stats: 42 tackles, four sacks, 4.5 run stuffs, one fumble recovery, four passes defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Scored a 78-yard fumble recovery in 2020, appeared in every game for the Dolphins in each of the last three seasons.
ILB Jack Sanborn (Chicago Bears)
Week 12 Stats: Two tackles
Season Stats: 61 tackles, one sack, six run stuffs, one interception, two passes defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2018-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Made Chicago Bears roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent, started six games in 2022 before injury ended his season
ILB T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears)
Week 12 Stats: Six tackles, one interception, one pass defended
Season Stats: 127 tackles, two sacks, 12 run stuffs, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three passes defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2014-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Went from undrafted free agent to starting all 17 games for NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, signed 3-year, $19.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears this offseason
RB Dare Ogunbowale (Houston Texans)
Week 12 Stats: Zero statistics recorded
Season Stats: Two carries, four yards, 1/1 field goal (29 yards)
Years at Wisconsin: 2012-2016
NFL Season: 7th
Notes: Former undrafted free agent now on his fourth team in seven years. Appeared in all 17 games each of the last two seasons, primarily on special teams
DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Week 12 Stats: Zero statistics recorded
Season Stats: 11 tackles, 0.5 run stuffs, two passes defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2020
NFL Season: 3rd
Notes: Appeared in 26 games in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh.
FB Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins)
Week 12 Stats: Zero statistics recorded
Season Stats: Two carries, zero yards, eight receptions, 82 receiving yards
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: One of the last true fullbacks remaining in the NFL. Has scored touchdowns in each of his four NFL seasons
OLB Nick Herbig (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Week 12 Stats: One tackle, one sack
Season Stats: 13 total tackles, two sacks, one run stuff, one forced fumble
Years at Wisconsin: 2020-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.
DE Matt Henningsen (Denver Broncos)
Week 12 Stats: One tackle
Season Stats: Nine tackles, 1.5 run stuffs, two passes defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Registered one sack last year in limited action. 6th-round pick of the Broncos in 2022.
TE Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys)
Week 12 Stats: One reception, 35 yards
Season Stats: 40 receptions, 421 yards, four touchdowns
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Caught 19 passes for 174 yards, 2 touchdowns in rookie season.
LB Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs)
Week 12 Stats: One quarterback hit
Season Stats: 44 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 run stuffs, one quarterback hit
Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Super Bowl Champion with Chiefs (2022). Appeared in all 17 games last year with eight starts.
DL Keeanu Benton (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Week 12 Stats: Two tackles
Season Stats: 28 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass defended
Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Second-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.
LB Zack Baun (New Orleans Saints)
Week 12 Stats: Two tackles, one run stuff
Season Stats: 18 tackles, 1.5 run stuffs, one interception
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2019
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Second-round pick of the Saints in 2020. 45 career games entering 2023, eight starts with most of his action being on special teams.
RB Melvin Gordon (Baltimore Ravens)
Week 12 Stats: Inactive (practice squad)
Season Stats: 13 carries, 53 yards, three receptions, 46 receiving yards
Years at Wisconsin: 2011-2014
NFL Season: 9th
Notes: Signed with the Ravens in late July
Alex Erickson (Los Angeles Chargers)
Week 12 Stats: One reception, 17 receiving yards
Season Stats: Two receptions, 29 receiving yards
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2015
NFL Season: 8th
Notes: Elevated from Chargers practice squad in Week 11
