How every former Wisconsin Badger performed in NFL Week 11 2023
Another weekly recap of the performances of former Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL, another terrific weekend for Russell Wilson.
The former Wisconsin star was in a rough place in 2022 under Nathaniel Hackett. Now, the Broncos have won four straight games under Wilson and Sean Payton and the signal-caller leads the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio. His last-minute touchdown on Sunday Night Football was a pretty good example of what this season has been like in Denver.
There were also some defenders in the headlines. T.J. Watt added to his sack total, Jack Sanborn registered his first NFL sack and T.J. Edwards continues a terrific year.
For that, plus an older Wisconsin product who found his way back on an NFL field, here is how every former Wisconsin Badger performed in NFL Week 11:
QB Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos)
Week 11 Stats: 27/35 passing, 259 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions, 106.7 quarterback rating, two carries, one rushing yard
Season Stats: 69% completion, 2,065 yards, 19 touchdowns, four interceptions, 104.3 quarterback rating, 42 carries, 232 rushing yards
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 11 Stats: Bye Week
Season Stats: 85 carries, 323 yards, two 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 11 Stats: Six tackles, one sack, 1.5 run stuffs
Season Stats: 36 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 4 run stuffs, two 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 11 Stats: Five tackles, two passes defended
Season Stats: 40 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 11 Stats: Four tackles, one sack
Season Stats: 59 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 11 Stats: Nine tackles, one interception, one pass defended
Season Stats: 121 tackles, two sacks, 12 run stuffs, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two 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 11 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 11 Stats: One tackle, 0.5 run stuffs
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 11 Stats: Three receptions, 16 yards
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 11 Stats: Two tackles
Season Stats: 12 total tackles, one sack, 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 11 Stats: Two tackles
Season Stats: Eight 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 11 Stats: Three receptions, 32 yards
Season Stats: 39 receptions, 386 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 11 Stats: Three tackles
Season Stats: 44 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 run stuffs
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 11 Stats: Four tackles
Season Stats: 26 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 11 Stats: Bye Week
Season Stats: 16 tackles, 0.5 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 11 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 11 Stats: One reception, 12 receiving yards
Season Stats: One reception, 12 receiving yards
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2015
NFL Season: 8th
Notes: Elevated from Chargers practice squad in Week 11