NFL stats from recent seasons prove that Wisconsin has become Linebacker University

Madison, WI — When NFL scouts compile their draft boards on Saturday, one Big Ten program keeps flashing on the linebacker line: Wisconsin. A five-year audit of professional production compiled by Deeg Sports shows that no college has sent more impactful linebackers to the league since 2019, cementing the Badgers’ claim to the unofficial title of Linebacker University.

Over that span, Wisconsin alumni listed as either inside or outside linebackers have combined for more sacks, tackles-for-loss, forced fumbles and interceptions than any other school. Only Georgia and LSU have totaled more solo tackles from the position, leaving Wisconsin atop every other major category that measures play-making at the second level.

The surge has been anchored by star edge rushers T.J. Watt and Andrew Van Ginkel, whose strip-sacks and quarterback pressures account for a hefty portion of the Badgers’ NFL havoc rate. Yet the off-ball contingent has matched the pace: T.J. Edwards, Zack Baun, Jack Sanborn, Leo Chenal, Nick Herbig and 2020 Pro Bowl selection Joe Schobert have all logged starter-level snaps, giving Wisconsin both star power and depth.

That breadth of talent is the separator. While other schools tout one or two headline alumni, the Badgers have assembled a critical mass of pro-ready defenders. The cumulative effect shows up every autumn Sunday, when fantasy box scores and advanced metrics alike light up in cardinal and white.

Credit for the pipeline traces back to the developmental blueprint drawn by former head coach Paul Chryst and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who prioritized instincts, block-shedding technique and positional versatility. The baton has since passed to Luke Fickell’s regime, which will try to replicate the success with incoming pros such as Mason Reiger and Darryl Peterson — both draft-eligible this spring — and Christian Alliegro, expected to follow suit after finishing his collegiate career at Ohio State.

The future inventory appears stocked as well. Sophomore Mason Posa and touted freshman Cooper Catalano are already drawing comparisons to the standouts who preceded them, hinting that the assembly line is far from idle.

For a program historically branded as an offensive-line-and-running-back factory, the linebacker renaissance offers a new identity. The numbers do not simply suggest Wisconsin belongs in the conversation — they insist the conversation starts in Madison.

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