NFL Cuts: How Did Former Wisconsin Badgers fare?
A look back at Wisconsin Badgers that went on to make a name for themselves in thE NF
Tuesday was the final cut-down day for NFL rosters.
With one of the most successful programs in the country at producing NFL talent, a number of Wisconsin Badgers were among those making rosters or falling just short.
Here’s a list of former Badgers and how they’re doing these days. This story will be updated as practice squad information becomes available.
Who made rosters?
Dare Ogunbowale: The fifth-year running back made the Jacksonville Jaguars’ initial 53-man roster. He played 14 games for Jacksonville last year, starting two and running for 145 yards on 32 attempts. Ogunbowale could see a bigger role this year with projected starter Travis Etienne out for the season.
Corey Clement: Running back Corey Clement was not one of the five running backs to make the New York Giants’ initial 53, but he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys for their 53-man roster. The former Super Bowl champion is in his fifth NFL season after four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ryan Connelly: Connelly made the Minnesota Vikings’ initial roster. Connelly, an Eden Prairie, Minnesota native, played 14 games for Minnesota last season, recording six tackles.
Joe Schobert: After a trade from Jacksonville earlier this month, Schobert will begin his sixth NFL season as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has played in 16 games in four of his five seasons, and made the Pro Bowl in 2017 as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
Isaiahh Loudermilk: Loudermilk, a fifth-round draft pick in 2021, is the fourth Wisconsin product on this year’s Steelers roster, joining the Derek and T.J. Watt and Schobert.
The following players also made opening day rosters, as expected:
- J.J. Watt (Cardinals)
- T.J. Watt (Steelers)
- Derek Watt (Steelers)
- T.J. Edwards (Eagles)
- Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
- Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
- Melvin Gordon III (Broncos)
- Ryan Ramczyk (Saints)
- Zack Baun (Saints)
- James White (Patriots)
- Rob Havenstein (Rams)
- David Edwards (Rams)
- Quintez Cephus (Lions)
- Tyler Biadasz (Cowboys)
- Kevin Zeitler (Ravens)
- Michael Deiter (Dolphins)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (Dolphins)
Other notes
Michael Deiter: Deiter beat out Matt Skura for the Dolphins’ starting center position, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Deiter was a third-round pick by Miami in 2019. He started 15 games in 2019 but did not start a game in 2020, according to the Dolphins’ website.
Vince Biegel: Biegel was placed on injured reserve last week. He tore his Achilles last year, causing him to miss all of the 2020 season. He started 10 games for the Fins in 2019.
Nick Nelson: The Indianapolis Colts waived-injured 24-year-old defensive back Nick Nelson on Aug. 17. He cleared waivers and reverted to the Colts Injured Reserve list. Nelson was a fourth-round pick for the Oakland Raiders in 2018, spending time on the practice squad and active roster before being waived in September 2020.
Who missed the cut or ended up on a practice squad?
Rachad Wildgoose: Sixth-rounder Rachad Wildgoose did not make the Buffalo Bills’ initial roster, but the Bills added him to their 16-man practice squad.
Beau Benzschawel: The Washington Football Team cut Benzschawel, a 25-year-old former undrafted free agent.
Garrett Groshek: The Las Vegas Raiders released first-year running back Garrett Groshek. Groshek was undrafted in 2021.
Cole Van Lanen: Green Bay native and former Wisconsin lineman Cole Van Lanen did not make the Packers’ initial roster, but the Packers added him to their practice squad. Van Lanen was picked in the sixth round in 2021.
Eric Burrell: The New Orleans Saints cut undrafted free agent safety Eric Burrell.
Natrell Jamerson: The Saints also released defensive back Natrell Jamerson. Jamerson, a 25-year-old defensive back, has previously spent time with the Texans, Packers and Panthers before returning to the team that drafted him in 2018 this offseason.
Alex Erickson: Erickson missed the cut for the Houston Texans roster. The 28-year-old spent the first five seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, mostly as a kick and punt returner.
Troy Fumagalli: The New England Patriots released former Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli in August. The 26-year-old tight end was in his first season with the Patriots after two years with the Broncos in which he caught just 14 passes for 118 yards.
Jon Dietzen: Dietzen was cut in August as the Packers cut their roster down earlier in the preseason.
Leon Jacobs: The Jacksonville Jaguars released Jacobs in July after he tore his ACL near the beginning of last season.
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