MADISON, Wis. — Fittingly, the class that has come to win more games than any in the history of the Wisconsin football program shared the stage Friday while collectively accepting the title of "Team MVP."
The Badgers' 13-member senior class shared the Jimmy Demetral Team MVP award, which was handed out during the football team's annual banquet at Union South. Sharing the honor are Jack Cichy, Garret Dooley, Joe Ferguson, Lubern Figaro, Troy Fumagalli, Rachid Ibrahim, Leon Jacobs, Natrell Jamerson, Alec James, Chikwe Obasih, Austin Ramesh, Conor Sheehy and Derrick Tindal.
"This is a group that has accomplished so many great things because everyone has bought into what they can do together, as a group," UW head coach Paul Chryst said. "It's been a fun group to be around, and it's one that is made up of guys who truly play for each other."
Junior ILB T.J. Edwards was voted the team's Defensive Player of the Year for a season in which he has recorded 75 total tackles and 11.0 TFLs while leading a defense that has allowed a nation's best 253.2 yards and just 13.2 points per game. He also is tied for the team lead with four interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown – and has logged seven pass breakups. A consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection, Edwards finished runner-up for the Butkus Award and was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp.
Freshman RB Jonathan Taylor was named Offensive Player of the Year. The Doak Walker Award finalist ranks third nationally in rushing, at 142.1 yards per game, and needs 79 yards in the Orange Bowl to break Adrian Peterson's FBS freshman record of 1,925. A consensus first-team All-Big Ten pick and the 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Taylor has scored 13 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. He was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp.
Junior K Rafael Gaglianone took home Special Teams Player of the Year honors for a season in which he has converted 14 of 16 field goal attempts, including a career-long 52-yarder. Gagalianone was successful on each of his last seven attempts over UW's final six games and is also 55-for-55 on extra-point attempts on the year. He was a second-team All-Big Ten pick this season.
The Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award, which honors a player who excels in both scholarship and sportsmanship, went to senior DE Chikwe Obasih, who carries majors in finance, investment & banking and risk management & insurance. The Williamson award has been handed out each season since 1955. Only the Badgers' team MVP award has a longer history, dating back to 1926.
Junior offensive linemen Beau Benzschawel and Michael Deiter earned the Wayne Sousa Coaches Appreciation Award, which is presented to a player who contributes to the team's success with attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.
On defense, the Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation Award went to junior S D'Cota Dixon and junior CB Nick Nelson.
The Tom Wiesner Award went to senior S Joe Ferguson. The honor is presented annually in honor of Wiesner – a letterwinner from 1958-60 – to "Wisconsin-born players whose loyalty, hard work, spirit and dedication are unselfishly directed to the success of the team."
The Badger Power Award, presented to a player who consistently performs at a high level in all aspects of the Badgers' strength and conditioning program, went to senior OLB Leon Jacobs and senior S Natrell Jamerson.
The Most Improved Player awards went to sophomore RT David Edwards on offense, junior ILB Ryan Connelly for the second-consecutive season on defense and sophomore K Zach Hintze on special teams.
Freshman TE Jake Ferguson was named Offensive Scout Player of the Year for his work on the Badgers' practice squad, with sophomore ILB Griffin Grady and freshman S Scott Nelson earning Defensive Scout Player of the Year honors.
The Badgers also recognized their Academic All-Big Ten selections and 21 players that earned All-Big Ten honors.
Jimmy Demetral Team MVP
Presented annually to the player most instrumental to the success of the team, as selected by his teammates and coaches.
- Senior Class: Jack Cichy, Garret Dooley, Joe Ferguson, Lubern Figaro, Troy Fumagalli, Rachid Ibrahim, Leon Jacobs, Natrell Jamerson, Alec James, Chikwe Obasih, Austin Ramesh, Conor Sheehy, Derrick Tindal
Offensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on offense, as selected by the coaching staff.
Defensive Player of the Year
Presented annually to the top player on defense, as selected by the coaching staff.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Presented annually to the most valuable player on special teams, as selected by the coaching staff.
Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award
Presented annually to a player who has been exemplary in the areas of scholarship and sportsmanship.
Most Improved Player
Presented to the players on offense, defense and special teams whose work ethic and dedication led to improvement on the field.
Scout Team Player of the Year - Offense
Presented annually to the offensive player who excelled on the scout team in preparing the defense for each week's game.
Scout Team Player of the Year - Defense
Presented annually to the defensive player who excelled on the scout team in preparing the offense for each week's game.
Wayne Souza Coaches Appreciation
Presented annually to the offensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.
Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation
Presented annually to the defensive player who has contributed to the team's success to the best of his abilities. It is based upon improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program in all areas.
Tom Wiesner Award
Presented annually to a Wisconsin-born student-athlete whose loyalty, hard work, spirit and dedication are unselfishly directed to the success of the team. The award is given in memory of Wiesner, a Wisconsin football letterwinner (1958-60).
Badger Power Award
Presented annually to the player that consistently performs at a high level in all aspects of the strength and conditioning program. An individual who has a great work ethic coupled with a positive attitude that garners the respect of teammates, is dependable, buys into the program and shows constant improvement.
