Sojourn Shelton

Badgers secure commitment from standout pass rusher

June 1, 2020 By Bill Scott

The Wisconsin Badger football team locked up one of their top defensive targets in their 2021 recruiting class, receiving a verbal commitment from Akron outside linebacker/defensive end Darryl Peterson.

This is a big get for Badgers coach Paul Chryst. Peterson chose Wisconsin over Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and Minnesota among others.

Peterson recorded a school-record 21 sacks as a high school junior. He gives the Badgers 12 known commitments for the 2021 class.

Shelton released by Cardinals

Former Badger defensive back Sojourn Shelton was waived by the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

The 25-year-old Shelton originally signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2017. He also spent time with the Bengals and Eagles before returning to Arizona.

During his college career at UW, Shelton recorded 129 tackles, nine interceptions, tow forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 53 games.

Watt named All-Big Ten first team linebacker

November 30, 2016 By Bill Scott

Linebacker T.J. Watt (Photo by David Stluka).

Wisconsin Badger redshirt junior T.J. Watt was named first team All-Big Ten linebacker by both the coaches and the media on Tuesday.

Watt finished the regular season third in the Big Ten in sacks with 9 1/2. He tied for seventh in tackles for loss with 13 and leads the Badgers in both categories.

Watt was one of six Wisconsin defensive players honored.

Senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton was a first team pick by the media and second team by the coaches. Linebacker Vince Biegel (senior-Wisconsin Rapids), was named to the second team by the coaches and third team by the media.

Senior safety Leo Musso (media), junior safety D’Cota Dixon (media) and junior defensive end Conor Sheehy (coaches) were also named third team All-Big Ten.

The six defenders join head coach Paul Chryst who was voted by his peers as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Badgers extend win streak over Gophers to 13

November 27, 2016 By Bill Scott

Badgers Celebrate with Paul Bunyan’s Axe – Photo: Courtesy of the Badger Sports Network

The Wisconsin Badgers knew they would be playing for the Big Ten Championship before they took the field against the Minnesota Gophers on Saturday. The first half may have looked like that as the Badgers trailed 17-7 at halftime.

But the Wisconsin defense, which has engulfed opponents all season long, did it again in the second half against the Gophers. The Badgers rallied for a 31-17 win over the Gophers.

The Badgers (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) knocked off Minnesota (8-5, 5-4) for the 13th straight season, will now face Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Penn State (10-2, 8-1) beat Michigan State, 45-12, on Saturday.

Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner passed for 111 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 60 yards as the Gophers were jumping all over the Badgers in the first half. [Read more…]

Badger defensive backs have a tall order (AUDIO)

September 2, 2016 By Bill Scott

Wisconsin assistant coach Jim Leonard

The Wisconsin Badgers and LSU Tigers will open the 2016 college football season Saturday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

The number one defensive issue for the Badger defense is LSU running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette broke more tackles than any running back in all of college football last season.

While the Wisconsin secondary will have to provide run support on Fournette and the Tigers ground game, they have an issue of their own.

The starting Wisconsin secondary stands 5’10, 5’10, 5’9 and 5’11. Cornerback Sojourn Shelton is a veteran in the Badger secondary, having started 37 games. But he stands 5’9 and weights 168 pounds. [Read more…]