Three former Badgers receive invites to 2023 NFL combine
In recent years, the Wisconsin Badgers have churned out some of the best talent in college football. Many of those athletes go on to successful careers in the NFL. Examples include newly retired J.J. Watt, superstar running back Jonathan Taylor and new Hall of Famer Joe Thomas.
Each season, the NFL hosts its scouting combine for the incoming draft class, showcasing the athletes to the teams that will potentially select them in April. In 2022, Wisconsin had four players invited to the combine, linebackers Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal, tight end Jake Ferguson and offensive lineman Logan Bruss.
Here’s a look at the three athletes that received invitations for the class of 2023:
Nick Herbig: Linebacker/Edge
Nov. 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Herbig was the last remaining member of the big three linebackers the Badgers had in 2022 after the departure of Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn, but his production didn’t drop off with the added attention from the opposing offensive lines. The edge rusher finished with a team-high 11 sacks while making 47 total tackles and forcing two fumbles in his final campaign with Wisconsin.
Career (31 Games)
Tackles: 134
Sacks: 21
Pass Deflections: 7
Forced Fumbles: 4
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Keeanu Benton: Nose Tackle/Defensive Lineman
Sept. 3, 2022; Madison; Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) celebrates following a tackle during the second quarter against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Benton spent four seasons as a member of Jim Leonhard’s defense with Wisconsin, increasing his production each year. In his fourth and final season with the Badgers, he racked up a career-highs at tackles (36) and sacks (4.5). The defensive lineman has impressed already at the Senior Bowl and could be the next great Badger defensive lineman at the next level.
Career (39 Games)
Tackles: 81
Sacks: 9
Pass Deflections: 4
Forced Fumbles: 2
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Joe Tippmann: Offensive Lineman
Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Tippmann (75) looks for someone to block during the first quarter of their game against Eastern Michigan Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Tippmann spent only three seasons with the Badgers, but he looks to become the next successful NFL offensive lineman to come through Wisconsin’s program in recent years. With Travis Frederick, Joe Thomas and Super Bowl winners Rob Havenstein and David Edwards among others making the leap from Madison to the pros already, Tippmann has a good shot at panning out somewhere.
