For the first time in five years, no Wisconsin Badger is expected to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, by the time the festivities wrap up this weekend in New York, as many as six UW alumni could have contracts with NFL teams.
The headliners of the Badger class are cousins Al and Ben Johnson. Al is expected to be one of the top centers selected.
“Al Johnson may go as high as round two, or round three at the latest,” draft expert Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown.com said.
Al Johnson will likely be battling Notre Dame’s Jeff Faine for the right to be the first center off the board. Faine is considered to be the top prospect by most experts, with Johnson as the second best center. As an expected first-day pick, Al Johnson should be the first Wisconsin player drafted. He showed solid quickness for a lineman by recording 40-yard dash times anywhere from 4.99 to 5.04 seconds at Pro Day in Madison, an improvement over his performance at the NFL Combine.
The next Badger to be drafted will likely be Al Johnson’s cousin, Ben Johnson. The massive tackle (6-foot-6, 329 pounds) could be picked soon after his cousin.
“I think Ben Johnson has a shot at going in round three but could slip to day two of the Draft,” Wright said.
After spending the majority of his college career at left tackle, Johnson projects as a right tackle in the NFL. Most observers cite run blocking as his specialty, which he did plenty of for Barry Alvarez and the Badgers. At the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Johnson showed off his strength for the scouts, benching 225 pounds 30 times.
The Johnson cousins have long been projected as NFL Draft picks. Two of their teammates, on the other hand, made use of pre-draft workouts to put themselves on the NFL radar. Quarterback Brooks Bollinger has been rapidly gaining the attention of some scouts, even though he played in a run-first offense the past four years.
“Bollinger wasn’t really able to show all that he can do in Wisconsin’s offense, but he is a guy I have heard a lot of people talk about as a sleeper,” Wright said. “He has a chance to be drafted late in day two, possibly round six or seven.”
Bollinger could intrigue some teams with his pure athletic ability. After a decent showing at the combine (running the 40-yard dash in the high 4.8’s), Bollinger improved his 40-yard dash times to a reported 4.71 seconds at Pro Day. Teams also like his leadership and feel for the game; he is one of only seven Big Ten quarterbacks to win 30 career games. Wright lists Bollinger as Wisconsin’s third-best draft prospect, behind Al and Ben Johnson.
If Bollinger’s name is called this weekend, it would not be the first time he has been drafted, either. In 2000, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 50th round of the June baseball draft.
Also climbing the charts after the combine is cornerback B.J. Tucker, who wowed scouts with blazing times in the 40-yard dash. At the combine, he was clocked as low as 4.38 seconds. In Madison, Tucker ran even faster, reportedly running in 4.32. Some scouts question his instincts, but everyone loves his speed. With cornerbacks always in demand, Tucker could be selected early Sunday.
Badgers’ defensive lineman Jake Sprague and offensive lineman Jason Jowers have outside hopes of being drafted in the late rounds. Sprague led Wisconsin in sacks this past season with six and has improved his speed and strength. He showed the versatility in college to line up at both defensive end and tackle. If he can add more weight to his 274-pound frame, he may find a home as a pass rushing defensive tackle.
Like Sprague, Jowers will be helped by the fact that he can play multiple positions. During his career at Wisconsin, Jowers saw time at center, guard and tackle.
While the Badgers may not boast a first-round selection, when all is said and done they should be well represented in the mid to late rounds this weekend.