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Joel Stave - QB - Badgers

Wisconsin's QB situation appears to still be a three man race.

Joel Stave, Curt Phillips, and junior college transfer Tanner McEvoy are all competing for the top spot. The first two started a few games for the Badgers in 2012, in relief of failed transfer Danny O'Brien. "First-year coach Gary Andersen said recently Phillips and Stave had separated themselves from the others during spring practices," writes beat writer Tom Oates.
Source: Madison.com
Apr 30 - 5:35 PM
Ricky Wagner - T - Badgers

Ravens selected Wisconsin OT Ricky Wagner with the No. 168 overall pick.

Wagner (6-foot-5 7/8, 308) was a three-year college starter, playing right tackle in 2010 before succeeding Gabe Carimi as the Badgers' starting left tackle in 2011 and 2012. Wagner has plus athleticism and 34-inch arms, but he's going to have to add strength. Also displaying inconsistent feet, Wagner is a bit of a 'tweener left/right tackle. His NFL ceiling may be a swing-tackle reserve. The Ravens still need a starting left tackle.
Apr 27 - 3:43 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

Broncos selected Wisconsin RB Montee Ball with the No. 58 overall pick.

The pick is an acknowledgement that 2012 third-round Ronnie Hillman is no more than a change-of-pace back. Willis McGahee will likely be cut shortly. Ball (5-11, 214) rushed 924 career times for 5,140 yards (5.56 YPC) and 77 touchdowns as Wisconsin's bellcow back. His 83 all-purpose TDs set an NCAA record. With a downhill mentality and one-cut style, Ball is an efficient inside runner but lacks lateral shake and "special" qualities. He ran 4.66 at the Combine with a 1.59 ten-yard split. Ball was used sparingly in the Badgers' passing game but is a willing pass blocker, which will help him see the field early. If Ball wins the starting job and stays on the field on passing downs as a rookie, he will prove every bit worth a second- or third-round fantasy pick.
Apr 26 - 8:21 PM
Travis Frederick - C - Badgers

Cowboys selected Wisconsin G/C Travis Frederick with the No. 31 overall draft pick.

Frederick (6-4, 312) entered the draft following his redshirt junior season after making 31 starts for the Badgers, 13 at left guard and 18 at center. Despite sub-par athleticism, Frederick is a heady (34 Wonderlic score), powerful phone-booth blocker whom ex-Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema deemed "pound for pound one of the strongest (players) I've ever coached." Assuming center Phil Costa's health holds up, we would anticipate Frederick starting at right guard as a rookie.
Apr 25 - 11:39 PM
Ricky Wagner - T - Badgers

One NFL scout believes Wisconsin T Ricky Wagner will be a starter at the NFL level.

"Look at the league," the scout said, supposedly in reference to the caliber of starting tackles in the NFL. "Are you kidding me?" Another scout added "I like him as a right tackle. He is one tough guy. Reminds me of (Oakland LT) Jared Veldheer, but he's not athletic enough for left tackle. He's more of a technique-power player than a foot athlete. I like Wisconsin players."
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Apr 19 - 2:10 PM
Travis Frederick - C - Badgers

National Football Post's Russ Lande writes that Wisconsin C Travis Frederick has the tools to be a starting center.

"An added bonus is that unlike many center prospects who enter the NFL as "center only" prospects, Frederick has the size, playing strength, good athleticism and experience playing guard (He started in 2011 at guard alongside center Peter Konz) to be viewed as a center/guard prospect who can start at either spot in the NFL," Lande writes. "Overall, I believe that Frederick’s selection will not get much publicity and may even be criticized due to his poor 40 time, but two years from now when he is a good starting center or guard in the NFL he will start to receive the positive publicity his on field play has always warranted."
Source: National Football Post
Apr 18 - 4:35 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

Wisconsin RB Montee Ball is visiting the Bucs on Monday.

The Bucs obviously have their feature back in Doug Martin, but he is backed up by LeGarrette Blount and seventh rounder Michael Smith. Ball improved during his senior season, showing better vision to pick up yards that were not blocked for him. A second day selection is likely.
Source: Jenna Laine on Twitter
Apr 8 - 3:16 PM
Travis Frederick - C - Badgers

Wisconsin OL Travis Frederick will visit the Cowboys.

Frederick played center and guard throughout his collegiate career, and the Cowboys could use an upgrade at each. We expect him to be a second day selection, along with a plethora of offensive linemen the team has been showing interest in.
Source: Mike Fisher on Twitter
Apr 2 - 11:14 AM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

Wisconsin RB Montee Ball ran two official 40-yard dash times of 4.46 and 4.53 at his pro day.

Ball also improved his shuttle time from 4.40 at the combine to 4.11. Ball revealed he had a sinus infection and was on medication when he ran his combine 40 of 4.66. "I think a lot of it plays into it running in Indy," Ball said. "You’re a little tired, waking up early and stuff and doctors poking at you and then the last day they want you to go out there and run. It’s kind of the process they do, (see) if you can work under pressure."
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Mar 6 - 5:37 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

After one report stated that RB Montee Ball ran an unofficial 4.48 forty at Wisconsin's Pro Day, draft insider Tony Pauline is hearing the time is actually around 4.57 seconds.

Either way, both are an improvement over his 4.66 time in Indianapolis. As we stated early, Ball's game is more about making the most of his blocks and slicing through lanes at the second level.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Mar 6 - 2:25 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

RB Montee Ball ran an unofficial 4.48 forty at Wisconsin's Pro Day.

Ball recorded an official 4.66 at the NFL Combine, but followed the trend of recording a faster time during his Pro Day work out. His play speed is somewhere in between, and Ball doesn't thrive on running away from defenses so much as running through them.
Source: Benjamin Worgull on Twitter
Mar 6 - 1:37 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

A couple of scouts have noted that there are concerns over Wisconsin RB Montee Ball's character.

The two scouts spoke anonymously to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn and told him that Bell needs to be checked out. Bell was once arrested for trespassing while another time, TMZ reported last August that there was a fight at his house. Ball has recently been praised by tape guru Greg Cosell for his fluidity as a runner.
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Feb 25 - 6:39 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

NFL Films' Greg Cosell heaped praise on Wisconsin RB Montee Ball.

Ball is a "really smooth and fluid runner," Cosell said. "He is almost a glider, but he's got a pretty sharp change of direction. I liked him a lot." The Badger running back certainly has enough tape out there, and we would add a note about his improved vision in 2012 compared to previous years.
Source: Shutdown Corner Podcast
Feb 19 - 2:52 PM
Montee Ball - RB - Badgers

Wisconsin RB Montee Ball acknowledged the criticism he has heared about lacking a special quality at the position.

He went on to cite Curtis Martin and Terrell Davis as two other backs that received the same evaluation. "They say I’m not especially fast," Ball said. "They say I’m not especially big. Well, fine, I’ll take that as a compliment... They’re just saying that I don’t do one thing special. So what? If you’re pretty good all the way around, then you can be a very good running back."
Source: ESPN
Feb 19 - 11:29 AM
Travis Frederick - C - Badgers

Sources tell draft insider Tony Pauline that Wisconsin G Travis Frederick could be a surprise first-round selection.

"One general manager has referred to Frederick as the best interior run blocking line(man) the draft has witnessed in more than a half-decade," Pauline writes. He continues to cite other sources that suggest the Colts or the Falcons as possible destinations. Pauline expects Frederick to weigh in around 315 pounds at the Combine.
Source: TFY Draft Insider
Feb 13 - 1:17 PM

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