In terms of the most effective of the most effective amongst Wisconsin soccer gamers, we expect we have give you a reasonably spectacular listing. Test it out. Listed in chronological order.
1 of 25
Dave Schreiner, Tight Finish (1940-42)
College of Wisconsin
The primary two-time All-American in Wisconsin soccer historical past (1941-42), Schreiner is without doubt one of the nice tight ends within the historical past. He was the Massive Ten’s Most Invaluable Participant in 1942, the identical season he caught three landing passes in a single quarter of a recreation. Schreiner, who was a part of the 1943 East-West Shrine Recreation, handed up an opportunity to play within the NFL to serve with the USA Marines in World Warfare II. He died from wounds suffered in the course of the Battle of Okinawa. Schreiner was inducted into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1955.
2 of 25
Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (1942)
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Photographs
Hirsch performed only one season with the Badgers, nevertheless it was adequate to earn him All-American honors and have his No. 40 retired by the college. In serving to lead Wisconsin to an 8-1-1 document in 1942, the person often known as “Crazylegs” rushed for 767 yards, threw for 226 and likewise intercepted six passes. From From there, nonetheless, Hirsch took his act to Michigan, the place his coaching was to happen after he enlisted within the U.S. Marines. A member of each the School and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, Hirsch would return to Wisconsin, serving as the college’s athletic director from 1969-’87.
3 of 25
Alan Ameche, Fullback/Linebacker (1951-54)
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Photographs
Referred to as “The Horse” and the delight of Kenosha, Wis., Ameche has typically been thought-about the best soccer participant to go well with up for the Badgers. He received the college’s first Heisman Trophy in 1954, and is one in every of six soccer gamers to have his quantity retired by the Wisconsin program. Although he was an early two-way standout for the Badgers, Ameche made his bones as a fullback. In 1951, he grew to become the primary freshman to steer the Massive Ten in speeding (774 yards). In 1952, Ameche helped led Wisconsin to its first-ever bowl look within the Rose Bowl. Ameche, a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, ended his profession because the NCAA’s profession speeding chief with 3,345 yards.
4 of 25
Pat Richter, Finish (1960-62)
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Photographs
Earlier than Richter loved a profitable run as Wisconsin’s athletic director (answerable for hiring the soccer coach Barry Alvarez and basketball bosses Dıck Bennett and Bo Ryan), he branded himself as maybe the best athlete in Badgers historical past. He lettered thrice every in soccer, basketball and baseball. When it got here to the gridiron, Richter led the Massive Ten in receptions in each 1961 and ’62. In the course of the 1963 Rose Bowl, Richter recorded 11 receptions for 163 yards. For his profession, the School Soccer Corridor of Famer posted 110 receptions for 1,710 yards and 14 touchdowns at Wisconsin, the place his No. 88 was retired.
5 of 25
Tim Krumrie, Defensive Deal with (1979-82)
College of Wisconsin
Recruited as a linebacker, it is comprehensible that Krumrie had a critical nostril for the ball whereas enjoying on the inside defensive position for the Badgers. A 3-time All-Massive Ten choose, Krumrie ranks third in class historical past with 444 profession tackles, and is this system’s all-time chief with 276 solo stops. He led the convention in tackles every of his 4 seasons at Wisconsin earlier than heading to the NFL, the place Krumrie was a two-time Professional Bowl choice for the Cincinnati Bengals. Nonetheless, he would possibly greatest be remembered for struggling a damaged leg throughout Tremendous Bowl XXIII.
6 of 25
Al Toon, Broad Receiver (1982-84)
X Twitter
It may be argued that Toon was Wisconsin’s first marquee extensive receiver. For years, Toon was the college’s all-time document holder for receptions (131), receiving yards (2,103) and receiving touchdowns (19). Getting into the 2023 season, Toon’s profession receiving yardage ranks sixth at Wisconsin, the reception whole was tied for ninth and TD rely sharing the fourth spot. As well as, Toon’s 252 receiving yards versus Purdue on Nov. 12, 1983, are second-most in class historical past for a single season. Toon’s son Nick adopted in his father’s footsteps and at the moment sits fourth at Wisconsin with 2,447 profession receiving yards and 171 receptions.
7 of 25
Troy Vincent, Defensive Again (1988-91)
College of Wisconsin
Earlier than having fun with a stellar NFL profession, Vincent was a reasonably particular participant for the Badgers. He ranks among the many high 25 in class historical past with 31 breakups, together with a then-school-record 13 in the course of the 1990 season. He completed with 192 tackles and his 773 profession punt return yards rank among the many high 5 in class historical past. Vincent was named Massive Ten Co-Defensive Participant of the Yr and completed second in voting for the Thorpe Award in 1991. In January 2023, it was introduced that Vincent earned induction into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
8 of 25
Darrell Bevell, Quarterback (1992-95)
Al Bello/ALLSPORT/Getty Photographs
Bevell was not a extremely adorned performer throughout his time at Wisconsin, which adopted a stint at Northern Arizona and two-year Mormon mission. Nonetheless, his collegiate accomplishments are worthy of a spot on this listing. His 7,686 passing yards are probably the most in class historical past for a profession, whereas he additionally owns program information for all-time completions (646) and passing touchdowns (59). Bevell’s 61.4 completion proportion ranks fourth amongst all Badgers. He additionally holds Wisconsin’s single-game mark with 423 passing yards recorded in opposition to Minnesota from Oct. 23, 1993.
9 of 25
Aaron Gibson, Offensive Lineman (1996-98)
Chris Covatta/Allsport/Getty Photographs
After sitting out his freshman season resulting from Proposition 48, Gibson made a gradual development into probably the greatest school offensive lineman in the course of the mid-to-late Nineties. He began at proper sort out as a junior, and when his school profession ended a 12 months later, was an All-Massive Ten first teamer and consensus All-American choice. Gibson can also be the primary Wisconsin participant to be named a finalist for each the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He performed within the NFL from 1999-2004, seeing motion with three totally different groups.
10 of 25
Ron Dayne, Working Again (1996-99)
Judy Griesedieck/Star Tribune by way of Getty Photographs
In terms of true school soccer dominance, there aren’t many higher than Dayne. The bruising operating again, and Wisconsin’s most up-to-date Heisman Trophy winner (1999), rushed for six,397 non-bowl-game speeding yards (7,125 with these bowls), and was the all-time chief within the period (previous to 2002) when statistics in mentioned bowls weren’t counted within the profession whole. Dayne burst on the scene as a freshman, operating for a career-high 1,863 yards and averaging 6.3 per carry. Throughout his historic senior marketing campaign, Dayne gained 1,834 yards and scored 19 regular-season touchdowns on the bottom, giving him a career-total 63 (71 together with bowls). Dayne’s No. 33 was retired at Wisconsin in 2007.
11 of 25
Chris McIntosh, Offensive Deal with (1996-99)
Brian Bahr/Employees/Getty Photographs
Neck points ultimately led to a quick NFL profession for McIntosh, however his collegiate success with the Badgers must be broadly celebrated. One of many nice tackles within the Massive Ten in the course of the Nineties, McIntosh was a key determine whereas Wisconsin made consecutive Rose Bowl appearances to cap the 1998 and 1999 seasons. A member of the College of Wisconsin Athletic Corridor of Fame, McIntosh was named Massive Offensive Lineman of the Yr, a consensus All-American and finalist for the Outland Trophy in 1999. Following his enjoying days, McIntosh returned to Wisconsin in numerous administrative roles earlier than taking up as the college’s athletic director in 2021.
12 of 25
Jamar Fletcher, Defensive Again (1998-2000)
Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle by way of Getty Photographs
In Fletcher, we could possibly be speaking about the most effective defender within the historical past of Wisconsin soccer. A 3-time All-American, Fletcher is tied for the Badgers’ profession lead with 21 interceptions and 459 interception return yards. He is the one participant in Massive Ten historical past to steer the convention in interceptions for 3 consecutive seasons. He additionally totaled 5 touchdowns throughout his profession, and is the college’s document holder with 57 profession passes defensed. Fletcher recorded 21 of these — together with seven interceptions — in 2000, when he received the Jim Thorpe Award and a consensus All-American.
13 of 25
Lee Evans, Broad Receiver (1999-2001; 2003 )
Matthew Stockman/Allsport/Getty Photographs
Evans is Wisconsin’s all-time chief with 3,468 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. In 2001 as a junior, Evans set profession highs with 75 receptions and 1,545 yards. Then after lacking the 2002 season resulting from an ACL harm, Evans returned in 2003, catching 64 passes for 1,213 with a personal-best, single-season Badgers document 13 receiving touchdowns. The 2-time first-team All-Massive Ten choice additionally ranks third in class historical past with 175 receptions. In the meantime, Evans’ 258 receiving yards in opposition to Michigan State from Nov. 15, 2003, stay a college document.
14 of 25
Erasmus James, Defensive Finish (2001-02; 04)
Danny Moloshok/Getty Photographs
There are many high quality defensive standouts from Wisconsin to focus on. Nonetheless, James will get the nod from us. Why? James was recognized for his disruptive nature — a stellar mixture of brute power and skill-position pace. For his profession, James registered 25.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks. As well as, he recorded 28 quarterback hurries, seven pressured fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 6 go deflections. In 2004, James was named a consensus All-American, and each Massive Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr and Defensive Lineman of the Yr, whereas a finalist for the Nagurski, Bednarik, Lombardi and Hendricks Awards.
15 of 25
Jim Leonhard, Defensive Again (2001-04)
Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs
One of the vital beloved gamers in Wisconsin throughout his enjoying days, Leonhard proved walk-ons can obtain nice issues throughout one’s athletic profession. Leonhard shares Wisconsin’s all-time interception lead with the aforementioned Jamar Fletcher at 21. Nonetheless, Leonhard is the college’s profession chief in single-season picks, recording an astonishing 11 in 2002. Getting into the 2023 season, Leonard additionally ranked among the many high 25 in Wisconsin historical past with 281 profession tackles. In the meantime, Leonhard, a two-time All-Massive Ten First Workforce choice, was the league’s profession chief with 1,347 punt return yards till 2006. He served because the Badgers defensive coordinator from 2017-22.
16 of 25
Joe Thomas, Offensive Deal with (2003-06)
Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports activities
Is Thomas the best offensive lineman in Wisconsin soccer historical past? Maybe, and he is definitely probably the greatest to ever play the place at each the school and professional stage. A two-time, first-team All-American (2005, ’06), Thomas was the primary Wisconsin participant to win the Outland Trophy, honoring the nation’s most excellent inside lineman. He was additionally a two-time semifinalist for the Lombardi Award (2006). Drafted third total by the Cleveland Browns in 2007, Thomas was a 10-time Professional Bowler who was elected into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2023. He is additionally a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
17 of 25
Gabe Carimi (2007-10)
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports activities
Carimi joins the aforementioned Joe Thomas as the one Wisconsin Badgers to win the Outland Trophy. That got here for his work throughout Wisconsin’s Massive Ten-championship 2010 season, the place Carimi was additionally named Massive Ten Offensive Lineman of the Yr. Carimi was a four-year beginning left sort out for the Badgers, showing in 52 whole video games. He was chosen within the first spherical of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, and likewise performed for Tampa Bay and Atlanta earlier than his professional profession ended following the 2014 season.
18 of 25
J.J. Watt (2009-10)
Robin Alam/Icon Sport Media by way of Getty Photographs
Today, Watt is likely to be probably the most well-known soccer alum of the Wisconsin program. Although, his two brothers would possibly argue that time. A primary-team All-American in 2010, Watt really started his profession at Central Michigan, the place he performed tight finish. Nonetheless, he ultimately determined to stroll on at Wisconsin, the place he was redshirted for the 2008 season, however noticed important time in 2009 at defensive finish. His completed that season with 4.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5 passes defensed. Watt was destined for stardom following his stellar 2010 marketing campaign, when he recorded 62 tackles (42 solos), 21 for loss and 7 sacks.
19 of 25
Russell Wilson, QB (2011)
Peter Brouillet/USA TODAY Sports activities
Wilson’s time in Madison spanned only one season. Nonetheless, it basically made him a star and paved the best way for a profitable NFL profession. As a graduate switch for the Badgers (following a profitable profession at North Carolina State) in 2011, Wilson set single-season faculty information for passing yards (3,175), touchdowns (33) and passer score (191.8). His 72.8 completion proportion is second for a season at Wisconsin, which received a Massive Ten championship and earned a spot within the Rose Bowl throughout his transient marketing campaign in Madison.
20 of 25
Montee Ball, Working Again (2009-12)
Mary Langenfeld/USA TODAY Sports activities
Like different distinguished backs on this listing, Ball did not actually hit the bottom operating by way of collegiate success. Following a strong freshman season, Ball made a reputation for himself by speeding for 996 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. In his ultimate two seasons at Wisconsin, Ball totaled 3,753 speeding yards. His 5,140 profession speeding yards rank third in class historical past, whereas his 77 speeding touchdowns are probably the most by any Badger, as are his 33 from the 2011 marketing campaign. The 2012 Doak Walker Award winner and two-time Consensus All-American (2011, ‘12) additionally ran for greater than 200 yards 4 occasions whereas at Wisconsin.
21 of 25
Chris Borland, Linebacker (2009-12)
Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire
One of the vital spirited performers within the historical past of Wisconsin soccer. Borland is sixth in class historical past with 420 whole tackles, sits fifth with 234 solos and fourth relating to tackles for loss (50). He is additionally Wisconsin’s all-time chief with 15 pressured fumbles and is tied for second with eight fumbles recovered. The Massive Ten Freshman of the Yr in 2009 and the league’s defensive participant of the 12 months in 2013, Boland was a three-time, first-team all-conference performer. Borland was named first-team All-American as a senior.
22 of 25
Jared Abbrederis, Broad Receiver, (2010-13)
Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports activities
One other beloved Badger who started his school profession as a walk-on, Abbrederis loved fairly the profession at Wisconsin. His 202 receptions are tied with Brandon Williams for probably the most on the faculty. In the meantime, his 3,140 profession yards are second-most in program historical past, and the 23 touchdowns recorded are tied for second amongst all Wisconsin gamers. Abbrederis ended his Badgers profession as a two-time first-team All-Massive Ten performer, and was the 2013 winner of the Burlsworth Trophy, honoring the nation’s most excellent participant to start his profession as a walk-on.
23 of 25
Melvin Gordon, Working Again (2011-14)
Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports activities
One other in a gradual line of remarkable Wisconsin operating backs. Gordon’s 4,915 speeding yards rank fourth amongst all Badgers. In the meantime, his 2,587 yards from 2014 are second-most for a single season in NCAA FBS historical past, and the 408 he gained versus Nebraska on Nov. 15, 2014, sit third within the annals of FBS motion. The 2014 Doak Walker Award winner and All-American, Gordon additionally ranks among the many Badgers’ high 10 in speeding touchdowns (45), and is this system’s all-time chief with a profession 7.79 common yards per carry.
24 of 25
Tyler Biadasz, Heart (2017-19)
Douglas DeFelice/USA TODAY Sports activities
The one heart in Wisconsin soccer historical past to win the Rimington Trophy (2019), awarded yearly to the nation’s high participant on the place. Biadasz redshirted to start his collegiate profession with the Badgers, however quickly grew to become the anchor of the crew’s offensive line. Biadasz began all 14 video games in 2017, and each contest in 2018, as nicely. After recovering from hip surgical procedure, Biadasz began all 14 video games and was named an unanimous All-American throughout his Rimington-winning ’19 marketing campaign, his final in Madison.
25 of 25
Jonathan Taylor, Working Again (2017-19)
Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports activities
Taylor joins Ron Dayne as the one Badgers to high 6,000 speeding yards for a profession. And, in spectacular trend, Taylor’s 6,174 speeding yards came to visit simply three seasons for the Badgers. As well as, the three-time first-team All-Massive Ten choice, two-time unanimous All-American and two-time recipient of the Doak Walker Award (2018, ’19), Taylor ranks second in class historical past for profession yards per carry (6.67), second in single-season speeding yards (2,194 in 2018), third in single-game speeding yards (321 in 2018) and third in speeding touchdowns (50).
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports activities, leisure and popular culture for components of 4 a long time. He was an integral member of award-winning sports activities sections at The Occasions of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Unwell.) Information-Gazette, the place he lined the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, soccer and golf, Olympics and highschool athletics. Jeff most lately spent 12 years within the editorial division at STATSPerform, the place he additionally oversaw protection of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois College, Jeff’s work has additionally appeared on such websites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports activities, Sports activities Illustrated and NBA.com. Nonetheless, if Jeff might do it once more, he’d attend Degrassi Junior Excessive, Ampipe Excessive Faculty and Grand Lakes College