Dezmen Southward

Everyone predicted and expected inside linebacker Chris Borland to be the first Wisconsin Badger to be selected in the 2014 NFL

Chris Borland

Draft and many thought it would come in the second round.

Not only did Borland last until the 3rd round, but he was the second player selected. Dezmen Southward went first in the 3rd round, the 68th player taken overall, to the Atlanta Falcons. Southward was the fifth safety taken in the draft. The first four all went in the opening round on Thursday.

Southward couldn’t take part in the NFL Combine because of injuries. But he did participate 10-days later at UW’s pro day and Southward didn’t disappoint. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds.

Linebacker Chris Borland didn’t go until 9-selections later, 77th overall to the San Francisco 49ers. Borland was the 10th linebacker selected.

Gary Anderson’s first training camp as the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers starts this afternoon in Madison.

AUDIO: Gary Anderson is ready to go :10

Anderson’s first order of business will be to find his starting quarterback.

Curt Phillips

Incumbents Joel Stave and Curt Phillips are battling with junior college transfer Tanner McEvoy for the job. Stave and Phillips participated in spring practice and should have a slight edge on McEvoy, who didn’t have the spring work with the rest of the team. But McEvoy is expected to make this a tough decision on the coach.

AUDIO: McEvoy on getting started :08

The Badgers have only one lock at wide receiver, senior wide receiver Jared Abbrederis. Jeff Duckworth and Jordan Fredrick both have experience, but playing time after Abbrederis appears to be up in the air. [Read more…]

Two Badgers selected on day two

Badgers open camp this afternoon (AUDIO)