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TBF

(31,919 posts)
Sun May 11, 2014, 09:31 AM May 2014

Badgers selected in the draft -

I think it's been 5 so far - a very good year for Wisconsin.

I'll talk about one who is from a tiny town (about 1300) in the part of the state where I grew up. I'm very proud of this kid as the rural middle of Wisconsin is an area that mostly hosted farms and manufacturing for years, and is now pretty much just a tourist and small business destination. Folks from back home report that this kid is humble, religious, and works very hard. You did it Jared - good luck in the NFL:

Jared Abbrederis, Packers, 176th pick

From walk-on scout team quarterback to NFL wide receiver, Jared Abbrederis’ college odyssey is complete. The incredibly productive wide receiver was selected by the hometown Green Bay Packers with the 36th, and final, pick of the fifth round, 176th overall.

The Wautoma native will leave a legacy in Madison as one of the greatest receivers in school history, tied for the school record in receptions with 201 and second in both receiving yards, 3,140, and touchdown receptions, 23.

Abbrederis came into the team without a scholarship, and declined to receive one his sophomore year so it could be given to Russell Wilson. This all came full circle when he was awarded the 2013 Burlsworth Trophy as the best former walk-on in college football. He was also selected as first team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten.

As a draft prospect, Abbrederis’ hands and route running were widely lauded, while his sub-200 pound frame was seen as a major weakness. The receiver was also hurt by only managing four bench press reps at the NFL combine. He will likely see most of his time as a slot receiver to negate his size and strength disadvantage.

This is the Packers’ first Badger draftee since 2001. Abbrederis will now join Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson to receive passes from Aaron Rodgers, a prospect the Wisconsin lifer is probably more than okay with

Read more: http://host.madison.com/daily-cardinal/sports/football-three-badgers-taken-in-day-of-nfl-draft/article_f37a41ba-d891-11e3-9e3b-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz31PgPHQPm

http://host.madison.com/daily-cardinal/sports/football-three-badgers-taken-in-day-of-nfl-draft/article_f37a41ba-d891-11e3-9e3b-001a4bcf887a.html

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Scuba

(53,475 posts)
1. Love the nerdy glasses on the Burtsworth Trophy. Congrats to Abby ... he's been a gem.
Sun May 11, 2014, 09:53 AM
May 2014

Hope he's got enough stuff to be successful at the next level.

TBF

(31,919 posts)
2. He may need to bulk up a little -
Sun May 11, 2014, 10:40 AM
May 2014

he's 6'2" but on the thin side. It was a good move on Ted's part. I don't think he's ever drafted a Badger before and the fans like to see someone from home get a chance.

 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
3. Abby is Ted's first Badger pick, although Tolzein's on the current roster.
Sun May 11, 2014, 10:43 AM
May 2014

Not sure what his thinking is - Bucky produces a lot of good NFL players - but hey, "In Ted We Trust".

GusBob

(7,286 posts)
4. he took a.vicisious hit to the sternum one game this year i thought he would be done
Mon May 12, 2014, 12:16 AM
May 2014

Early in the season he just got walloped in the chest. I thought he was dead. Knocked him out of the game but he was back next game and took another wallop and kept playing. Tough kid
A lot of packer fans were hoping for borland

TBF

(31,919 posts)
5. Yes - I thought Borland would be the first Badger drafted
Mon May 12, 2014, 07:52 AM
May 2014

and he did go to SF. He would've been a good pick for the Badgers. Abbrederis is a sentimental pick afaic. Maybe Ted just wanted to give Aaron a good field of WRs to pick from. And after the hit on Aaron last year I thought offensive line would be an issue (but they did hire a new O-line coach recently so I guess they figured that was the problem).

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