Sports

Hawthorne’s dominant reign at Wisconsin nearing end

Four years ago in Hamden, Conn., the University of Wisconsin, along with almost every other major football school, was attempting to lure one of the most promising defensive tackles in the nation to come join Bucky’s crew. Whereas defensive tackles usually take a year or two to gain bulk and adjust to their new sizes, this guy was ready made for the college game — with size, speed and agility that made recruiters salivate. An instant contributor at defensive tackle, Anttaj Hawthorne was about as common as a golden ticket in a Wonka bar.

Somehow, some way, the Badgers managed to sell him on Madison and the Wisconsin football program. The rest is history.

Hawthorne, possibly the most talented player to wear a Badger uniform, has been a stalwart at defensive tackle since the end of his freshman year, stuffing the run with all the effectiveness of a brick wall and chasing quarterbacks down for sacks like a linebacker. Hawthorne is often referred to as the best player on the best line in the country. He’s considered by many to be the best interior lineman in the country — high praise for a player who used to have a reputation for taking plays off.

“I think he has had his moments. He has improved on it,” defensive line coach John Palermo said, adding that Hawthorne has grown and matured throughout his years at Wisconsin.

Hawthorne has gone from being a blue-chip prospect to a blue-chip college performer. The senior captain has racked up 31 tackles this season, best on the team among defensive linemen, and has 9.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, second only to Erasmus James and linebacker Mark Zalewski — this after recording 75 tackles and a Big Ten best 20.5 tackles for loss last season.

The honors rained upon Hawthorne after last year. Being named first-team all-Big Ten and a pre-season All-American by several sports magazines has caused Hawthorne to receive much attention this year, as he has attracted double-teams on a very consistent basis.

If the true mark of a great player is the ability to make those around him better, Hawthorne fits the bill. Just ask James or fellow defensive tackle Jason Jefferson. James has enjoyed one of the finest seasons a defensive end has ever had at UW and has been nominated for many awards for his play.

“He makes my job really a lot easier. He helps me go by unnoticed. [With] everybody thinking about how they are going to stop him, it makes it a little easier for me to play,” Jefferson said, when asked how much easier his job is when Hawthorne is in the game. “He is a really, really [good] football player, you know? He is powerful, strong … All you can say is he is a really good player. He deserves all the attention and accolades that he is receiving.”

Hawthorne has evolved into more than just a great player on the field — he has taken the lead of the Wisconsin defense off the field in his senior season. He was named defensive captain prior to the 2004 season.

“He’s embraced it and taken to his role as captain. He is one of the leaders, so we pretty much follow his lead,” Jefferson said, adding that Hawthorne has done much to shed the negative reputation he has had in the past. “He brings energy, excitement; he plays hard and he just enjoys what he does.”

Although there are still two games left in Hawthorne’s career, thoughts are already beginning to turn to a pro career that looks to be very promising. Hawthorne was rated as the 11th-best prospect in the nation in the preseason by draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. and is currently rated as the third-best tackle in the nation by the ESPN draft analyst.

“He is obviously a very good player. I think his future is bright. He has obviously been very good for us,” Palermo said.

When asked about Hawthorne’s draft destiny, Palermo was reserved in his prediction, saying, “I don’t know that the first round is going to be the case, but I certainly hope it is.”

He certainly has much to offer NFL teams in terms of talent.

“He is a great run player, really good at the point of attack, has good quickness and has good hands,” Palermo said. “He is probably the best run defender I have ever coached, including the kids I had at Notre Dame.”

Most importantly to the Badgers, Hawthorne has excelled and has been a major part of a team that stretched perfection to the wire in 2004.

“The successes that we have had, he has been a big part of,” Palermo said.