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Packers agree to terms with rookie free agents

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The Green Bay Packers announced Monday that they’ve agreed to terms with seven rookie free agents.

The list includes former Wisconsin Badger Jon Dietzen.  The Black Creek, Wis. native, played his high school ball at Seymour High School before moving to Madison.  He played in 42 games with 39 starts for the Badgers.

In 2016-17, Dietzen played in 23 games with 20 starts at left guard and then in 2018 started all 12 games at left tackle.  After retiring following the 2018 season due to injuries, Dietzen returned in 2020 and started all seven games (four at left guard, two at left tackle, one at right guard).  Last season he played 437 snaps, the third most of any UW player.

Dietzen becomes the second member of the Badgers team to join the Packers after offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen was selected in the 6th round of the draft on Saturday.

The six other undrafted free agents the Packers agreed to contract terms are as follows:

Jacob Capra         6’5  300  OL    San Diego State
Coy Cronk            6’4  318  OL    Iowa
Bailey Gaither       6’0  188  WR   San Jose State
Jack Heflin            6’3  304  DL    Iowa
Carlo Kemp          6’3  281  LB     Michigan
Christian Uphoff   6’3  209   S     Illinois State

 

Dietzen returns to Badgers

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Offensive lineman Jon Dietzen started 32 games for the Wisconsin Badgers, but stepped away from the program after the 2018 season because of a number of injuries.  The time away has given Dietzen new life.  He’s returned to the program and is one of 113 players on the Badgers preseason training camp roster with practice kicking off on Wednesday.

Dietzen was prepared to return to the program last spring but the NCAA closed down all on-campus workouts because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dietzen (Seymour, Wisconsin) started 20 games at left guard and 12 at left tackle before leaving the program after a number of lower-body injuries.

UW has to replace center Tyler Biadasz, David Moorman and Jason Erdmann from last season and Dietzen’s return gives the Badgers more depth as well as a veteran presence on the offensive line.

Not on the training camp roster is starting safety Reggie Pearson.  He started 13 of 14 games last season as a redshirt freshman and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 60.

Head coach Paul Chryst told reporters on Wednesday that Pearson is dealing with a medical condition that was discovered in the off-season.  He remains enrolled in school but hasn’t been cleared to practice or play.

Pearson took over as a starter in week two last season, replacing Scott Nelson who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener against South Florida.

The Badgers will open the Big Ten season Oct. 24 against Illinois at Camp Randall Stadium.

Dietzen stepping away from football

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Jon Dietzen

Wisconsin Badger offensive lineman Jon Dietzen said Monday that he is stepping away from the game because of numerous injuries.

Dietzen started eight games at left guard in 2016 and 12 games at left guard in 2017 before moving to left tackle last season.

Dietzen struggled with ankle injuries early in his Badger career before having surgery on both hips prior to last season.  He then split time with Cole Van Lanen at left tackle but ended up starting 12 of 13 games.

Dietzen released a statement on Twitter today and said, “After a lot of thought and careful consideration, I’ve decided it is in my best interest to step away from football due to numerous injuries.  This was not an easy decision, as I have enjoyed every my football career, especially those as a Wisconsin Badger.  First and foremost I would like to say thank you to the coaches, especially to coach Chryst and coach Rudolph, the strength staff, hydration team and trainers, as well as the academic staff.  It was an opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of the University of Wisconsin football team and to be able to call myself a Wisconsin offensive lineman.  I will always cherish my time at this university.  The bonds and relationships I’ve formed over the last four years are irreplaceable and I am forever grateful for everyone who has been a part of this experience.”

Cole Van Lanen is expected to enter camp as the No. 1 left tackle next season.

Biadasz to return to Badgers

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Tyler Biadasz

Wisconsin Badger center Tyler Biadasz was considering turning pro and had put his name into the ring for evaluation.  UW announced this week that Biadasz would not be turning pro and would return to Madison for the 2019 season.

Teammate David Edwards announced that he would forgo his final season to enter the 2019 NFL Draft but the consensus first team all-Big Ten pick went the other way.  When asked after the Pinstripe Bowl if Biadasz thought he was ready for the NFL, he said yes.  But now it looks like an extra year of seasoning is the choice.

Biadasz’s return gives the Badgers four linemen back that started games in 2018.  That group includes Cole Van Lanen, Jon Dietzen and Logan Bruss.

 

Fumagali returns to practice for the Badgers

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Jon Dietzen

Wisconsin senior tight end Troy Fumagali, who missed the Northwestern game with a left-leg injury, took part in the Badgers practice on Wednesday with the hopes of playing at Nebraska on Saturday night.

Fumagali leads the Badgers with 15 receptions, 236 receiving yards and is tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions with three.

Dietzen’s Injury was his toe

Left guard Jon Dietzen missed the BYU game with what was presumed to be an ankle injury.  It turns out he was sidelined with a toe injury.

Dietzen suffered the injury during the Florida Atlantic game but played through it.  He couldn’t walk too well the very next day.

After missing the BYU game, Dietzen returned to the starting lineup last week against Northwestern, splitting time with Micah Kapoi.

 

Kapoi to start at LG against Georgia State

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Jon Dietzen

Jon Dietzen

Redshirt freshman Jon Dietzen jumped into the lineup at left guard for the Wisconsin Badgers against LSU after redshirt sophomore Micah Kapoi left the game with an injury.

Dietzen performed so well that he started last week’s game against Akron.  But Dietzen suffered a leg injury in that game and hasn’t been able to practice at all this week.  That means Kapoi moves back into the lineup and will start against Georgia State on Saturday.

It’s uncertain how long Dietzen will be out.  He was wearing a protective boot on his left foot.

Kapoi started 10 games last season, four at right guard and six on the left side.  He finished up with the second unit at right guard last week.

The Badgers are 34 1/2 point favorites against the Panthers on Saturday.  Kickoff is set for 11am at Camp Randall.

Jamerson out 4 to 6 weeks

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Natrell Jamerson

Natrell Jamerson

Wisconsin cornerback Natrell Jamerson will miss four to six weeks after suffering a serious leg injury, near the end of Saturday’s 54-10 win over the Akron Zips at Camp Randall Stadium.

If Jamerson is out just four weeks, he could be ready for the Oct. 15 game against Ohio State.  If the injury keeps him out six weeks, the Badger defender wouldn’t be ready to return until the Oct. 29 game against Nebraska.

Jamerson was on four special teams units, including kickoff returns.  Coach Paul Chryst said its viable that starting tailback Corey Clement could take over the kick return duties for Jamerson. [Read more…]

Badgers land another offensive lineman

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For the second time in less than a week, the Wisconsin football team received an oral commitment from an offensive lineman.

On Sunday, Seymour High School’s Jon Dietzen committed to the Badgers.  Today, 6’5, 275 pound tackle David Moorman from Pinckney, Michigan (Northville High School), committed to Wisconsin’s 2015 class.

Moorman had scholarship offers from Minnesota, Illinois, Western Michigan, Central Michigan and Cincinnati.

Moorman becomes the fifth known commitment to UW for 2015.

Seymour’s Dietzen commits to Wisconsin

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The University of Wisconsin has always tried to put a fence around the state when it comes to keeping Wisconsin high school stars at

Jon Dietzen / Photo Courtesy of hudl.com

Jon Dietzen / Photo Courtesy of hudl.com

home.  That is especially true when it comes to offensive linemen.

Wisconsin received an oral commitment from Seymour offensive lineman Jon Dietzen for the 2015 recruiting class.

Dietzen joins Austin Kafentzis (QB-Utah), Kyle Penniston (TE-California) and Andrew James (WR-Florida) that have already given commitments to the school.