MADISON, Wis. — Headlined by first-team selection T.J. Edwards, the Wisconsin football team placed five players on All-America squads announced Monday.
Edwards, a junior inside linebacker, was one of five Badgers recognized on the Associated Press All-America squad. He was joined by second-team picks in freshman RB Jonathan Taylor and senior TE Troy Fumagalli and third-team selections in junior RG Beau Benzschawel and sophomore RT David Edwards.
In addition, Taylor, Fumagalli and T.J. Edwards each earned second-team honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
UW's five selections to the AP squad matched the most in school history, a mark set in 2010 when first-teamers Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt, second-team picks Lance Kendricks and J.J. Watt and third-team selection John Clay were named All-Americans by the AP.
T.J. Edwards' selection by the AP gives the Badgers a first-team All-America linebacker for the third consecutive season and fourth time in the last five years. He joins Chris Borland (2013), Joe Schobert (2015) and T.J. Watt (2016) on that list.
Runner-up for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation's top linebacker, Edwards has recorded 75 total tackles and 11.0 TFLs as a key part of Wisconsin's top-ranked defense, which has allowed a nation-leading 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. Edwards was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten pick this season.
The only true freshman named to the AP All-America squad, Taylor is in the midst of a historic rookie season in which he finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. The consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection and 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. The 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Taylor has scored 13 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
A Mackey Award finalist, Fumagalli is the Badgers' leading receiver, with 43 catches for 516 yards and four touchdown grabs, and is a key contributor to UW's ground game, as well. A first-team all-conference pick and the Big Ten Tight End of the Year, Fumagalli also was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the top player who began his career as a walk-on.
Benzschawel and David Edwards combined to hold down the right side of the Badgers' offensive line, starting all 13 games and helping UW average 229.2 rushing yards per game this season. Also named second-team All-America by Walter Camp, Edwards is in his first as the full-time starter at right tackle. Benzschawel has been the Badgers' starting right guard in each of the last two seasons.
Over the last 10 seasons, the Badgers have produced 13 offensive linemen that earned All-America honors.
