SPORTS
NFL rests heavily on minds of juniors leading up to bowl game
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Also by Ben Voelkel:
- Rocky trip Outback for UW (January 1, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Georgia receives invite to meet UW in Tampa (December 1, 2004)
- Tennessee named as bowl foe (December 3, 2007)
- 'Let's go Outback': Badgers bound for Tampa bowl (November 29, 2007)
- Arkansas to take on Wisconsin in Capital One Bowl on New Year's day (December 4, 2006)
- Michigan and Ohio State accept bowl bids (November 26, 2001)
by Ben Voelkel
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The extra practices allotted to the Wisconsin football team in preparation for its matchup against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl present a unique situation.
While on the one hand the coaching staff uses the additional 15 practices allowed under NCAA rules to game-plan, scheme and stay sharp with the starting offensive and defensive units, there is also a careful eye to the future with the knowledge that not all of the players seeing regular action will be back the following year.
There are some for whom that is a certainty — namely outgoing seniors — but in some special cases, it could mean juniors with an eye on a potential jump from the collegiate ranks to the greener, richer pastures of the National Football League.
That is the situation facing the Wisconsin coaching staff this December, as juniors Travis Beckum and Jack Ikegwuonu are weighing their options with the possibility of leaving school early.
"We joke about it," Ikegwuonu said. "You talk with your agent, we just joke about it a little bit, but I think being here … it's really hard not to think about it. But, at the same time, you have to stay focused and get the job done here. If you don't get it done here, there's going to be nothing after."
Of the two, Beckum would seem to be the one who, at this point, would be more appealing to NFL scouts. The tight end is coming off his second consecutive exceptional season. Despite being named first-team All-Big Ten this season, Ikegwuonu struggled at times, including in Wisconsin’s final regular-season game against Minnesota, when Gophers’ wide receiver Eric Decker — Ikegwuonu’s main responsibility — caught six balls for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
"At some point we’ll talk, but we haven’t talked to him yet about it," offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said of Beckum.
Likewise, the junior tight end has yet to make any decisions regarding his future.
"That stuff will come," Beckum said. "I am going to send in and get my draft grade, and after the season sit down and talk to the coaches and go over that.
"Whatever happens, happens with that."
Two years ago, Beckum was a reserve defensive end coming off a quiet season in which he played in 10 games but registered only one solo and one assisted tackle.
Now, just two seasons into a highly successful switch to tight end, Beckum is in a position to have legitimate reason to consider the NFL.
"It’s crazy," Beckum said. "I think in college football you just need one good year (to open eyes of scouts). If you love the game, good things are going to come, and I absolutely love it."
While Chryst knew Beckum was a phenomenal athlete, the success he has enjoyed since moving to tight end still wows the coach.
"He always amazes me," Chryst said. "We should talk about [the NFL], and it’s a credit to him and the things he’s done."
The things Beckum has done are truly remarkable. In each of the last two seasons, Beckum has led all Wisconsin receivers in receptions, total receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and yards per game. His 73 catches thus far this season are nearly three times more than any other Badger has hauled in. Beckum's 960 yards receiving and 80-yard-per-game average are also tops in the country for tight ends.
"I don’t think I really have anything to prove," Beckum said. "I’ve done what I’ve done and I think I’ve done a good job of helping our team move the chains and be a threat in certain situations where we needed it."
While Beckum acknowledges room for improvement — "I’ve got to get better at every aspect of my game" — by returning to school he would also run the risk of having a down year while adjusting to a new quarterback or suffering an injury.
"Just me and my family," Beckum said of whom, along with the coaching staff, will be involved in the decision-making process. "Just in general, I think looking at what’s best for me, what’s best for my family."
Jack in the box
Beckum and Ikegwuonu should receive their grades well before the Outback Bowl, but regardless of that, Ikegwuonu says he will make no decision until after the season.
"I've obviously got another game to play, so that can sway my decision either way," Ikegwuonu said. "Until the season's over, until after the bowl game, I'm really in the middle on it. I don't really know what the future holds."
In addition, Ikegwuonu said he will look at factors outside of his individual play when it finally comes time to make a decision.
"You have to look at guys you're going against, and what the corner class is going to look like next year," Ikegwuonu said. "There's so many things that go into it."
When it is all finally said and done, however, Ikegwuonu will be the one to decide whether he returns to anchor the Wisconsin defensive backfield for his senior season, or if next season will be spent chasing professional wide receivers around the field.
"Obviously, I'm the one that's going to have to live with it," Ikegwuonu said. "So as much as I have to listen to other people, I've got to follow my heart and do what my heart tells me to do."
Anonymous (December 6, 2007 @ 7:02pm):
Ike is clearly declaring for the draft. He said in this article that he's talked to his "agent," and college athletes aren't allowed to have agents until they declare for the draft. He isn't even supposed to have an agent now.
Anonymous (December 6, 2007 @ 10:36pm):
He was kidding... He said, "We joke about it," Ikegwuonu said. "You talk with your agent, we just joke about it a little bit..."
Ike should come back and get another All Big-Ten year behind him, put the whole B&E incident behind him, earn a Big Ten Championship ring and set himself up for the first round.
Unfortunately, I think it is in Beck's best interest to go out now - while he is on top. He may even go in the first round. That is money he can't get back if he doesn't have another huge year or gets hurt.
They are both great players and great kids. UW is better for having them.
On Wisconsin!
Anonymous (December 6, 2007 @ 11:34pm):
To the poster above - actually they are allowed to have "advisors" - they aren't supposed to call them agents, but that is exactly what they are. Just without a contract or any payment. So, by him having an "agent" doesn't force him to declare.
And of the 2 of them, Ike is more likely to come back given his shaky season.
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