Wisconsin Football: How the Badgers Are Doing in the NFL Combine

Athletes tend to live their lives by their stat sheets.

The NFL scouting combine provides aspiring professionals to put a name, face, feet and hands to their college resumes. 

The combine is a part test and part screening process where the strain of simply showing up can make some players crumble. Scrutiny is too weak a word to describe the character dissection, physical analysis and intelligence testing hopefuls endure throughout the week in Indianapolis. 

The Wisconsin Badgers are sending eight former stars into the fray. They are running, lifting, jumping, throwing and catching like their jobs depended on it—because they do.

Bradie Ewing: Fullback

Height: 6'

Weight: 239 lbs. 

40-yard dash: 4.76 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 14

Vertical: 36.5"

Broad Jump: 10'

Analysis from NFL.com: 

"

Ewing is the beneficiary of a thin fullback crop this year, although there's growing sentiment that the position is being eliminated entirely from offenses in the NFL. A throwback player—a block first guy who will need to be selected by an offense that intends to use him that way, and as a special teams contributor. Ewing came into Wisconsin as a running back, and was Wisconsin's special teams player of the year as a senior.

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Antonio Fenelus: Defensive Back

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 190 lbs. 

40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 20

Vertical: 32"

Broad Jump: 9'1"

Analysis from National Football Post:

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A tough, instinctive little corner who lacks ideal size for the position. Isn't a guy you can trust to press on the outside and play up near the line of scrimmage. Works hard to stay in to play vs. the run game, but can be rag dolled at times on the edge and sealed from the action easily. Is a willing tackler on the outside though who takes good angles and will chop down ball carries on contact. At times however, will struggle to get into the body of his target. 

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Peter Konz: Center

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 314 lbs. 

40-yard dash: DNP

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 18

Vertical: DNP

Broad Jump: DNP

Analysis from NFL.com:

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Konz is the premier center in this year's draft, and his selection will likely be solely based off team needs towards the end of the first round. He has a massive frame for the center position but has impressive knee bend, which allows him to play the position effectively. He made all the calls at the line and was the centerpiece of a dominant Wisconsin line loaded with NFL size and talent.

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Brad Nortman: Punter

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 213 lbs.

40-yard dash: DNP

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: DNP 

Vertical: DNP

Broad Jump: DNP

Analysis from NFL.com: 

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Nortman has been a steady, reliable punter for Wisconsin, employing a strong leg and consistency. He can routinely boot it more than 45 yards and has potential to be drafted in the late rounds by a team with a need at the position.

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Josh Oglesby: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 338 lbs. 

40-yard dash: 5.8 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 22

Vertical: 28.5"

Broad Jump: DNP

Analysis from National Football Post: 

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Oglesby certainly passes the eyeball test. The 6'7", 330-pound lineman has a massive set of arms and for a big guy, natural girth through the lower half and some bend sitting into his stance. However, despite some natural body control/coordination on his kick slide in pass protection, he wasn't a real compact/explosive puncher into contact.

 

"

Nick Toon: Wide Receiver

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 215 lbs.

40-yard dash: 4.54 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 18

Vertical: 37.5"

Broad Jump: DNP

Analysis from ESPN.com among wide receivers: 

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Wisconsin's Nick Toon ranked 12th in bench press (18 reps at 225 pounds) and ranked 12th in vertical jump (37.5 inches).

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Russell Wilson: Quarterback

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 204 lbs.

40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: DNP

Vertical: 34"

Broad Jump: 9'10"

Analysis from National Football Post:

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A shorter quarterback prospect with decent bulk on his frame, Wilson plays the game with a physical nature. He's a "plus" athlete who plays fast in tight quarters and is a strong kid who accelerates well once he gains a step and can certainly create with his legs once he gets into the open field. He isn't an elite athlete running the football, but certainly offers enough short area quickness, power and speed to hurt NFL defenses once he gets into the open field. 

"

Kevin Zeitler: Offensive Guard

Height: 6'3" 7/8

Weight: 314 lbs.

40-yard dash: 5.39 seconds

225-lbs. Bench Press Reps: 32

Vertical: 29"

Broad Jump: 8'5"

Analysis from ESPN.com among offensive linemen:

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Wisconsin G Kevin Zeitler tied for third in bench press (32 reps at 225 pounds); tied for 14th in vertical jump (29 inches); eighth in 20-yard shuttle (4.61 seconds).

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