Credit an early start for Badgers’ success in NFL Draft
April 23, 2018 | Football, Andy Baggot
Process of developing pro players goes hand in hand with program’s overall approach
 |
||
|
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — When a high school prospect is being recruited to play football at Wisconsin, his NFL resume is already being written.
He may not realize it at the time, but critical pieces of data are being assembled and catalogued regarding his work habits, personality and attitude.
Those items are reviewed and evaluated throughout his time in college — elements separate from his on-field skill level — and are eventually relayed to the NFL talent evaluators who make regular campus visits to observe and speak with coaches.
By the time the NFL combine and draft roll around, the player's resume has been a fluid project for years.
Ross Kolodziej, the UW strength and conditioning coach, is one of the main point men for the evaluation process. He's the one who has the most year-round access to the student-athletes. He's the one who communicates directly with coach Paul Chryst and his staff. He's the one routinely sought out by NFL scouts when they come to Madison to attend practices and games.
In the aftermath of the invitation-only NFL combine — featuring six former Badgers — and the UW-sponsored pro day — which showcased 11 former Badgers — Kolodziej said the two gatherings represent "just another data point" along a career path that began tracking at the prep level.
"Your resume, you start building that in high school, whether it's guidance counselors, teachers, coaches," he explained. "Those are all people, especially when an NFL team is going to invest a high pick, they're going to go back and ask, 'What is this guy about? What's his mindset, his mentality? How does he treat people?' That carries through."
It's all catalogued in evaluator's notebooks throughout the NFL.
The knowledge in those notebooks will begin to seep out starting Thursday when the three-day NFL Draft is staged at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Badgers project to have up to seven players chosen among the 32 teams. Cornerback Nick Nelson and tight end Troy Fumagalli figure to hear their names called first. Safety Natrell Jamerson, inside linebacker Jack Cichy, outside linebacker Leon Jacobs, defensive end Alec James and fullback Austin Ramesh are also potential draftees.
"You're proud of them and that they've put themselves in this position," Chryst said of the group, which also includes potential free-agent signees in outside linebacker Garret Dooley, cornerback Lubern Figaro, defensive end Conor Sheehy and cornerback Derrick Tindal. "A lot of them are going to have a good future.
"Certainly playing the game is the most important thing and they've done that well. When coaches come up and ask about each individual, it's fun to talk about because you truly believe in your heart that these are great guys. So you're happy for where they're at with this."
"That's why you see so many of our guys go on to have long, successful (NFL) careers" Strength & Conditioning Coach Ross Kolodziej and his staff ensure that #Badgers are not only ready for Pro Day, but they're ready for the NFL. #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 14, 2018
Wisconsin has had a distinct, underrated impact on the NFL draft over the last 10 years.
The Badgers have had 36 players drafted since 2008 and, according to data compiled by Big Ten Network, at least one in all 11 position groups. No other Big Ten school has more than nine.
Seven of those picks involving UW prospects came in the opening round, with multiple first-round selections in 2011 (defensive end J.J. Watt and offensive tackle Gabe Carimi) and 2017 (outside linebacker T.J. Watt and offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk).
Of the 36 draftees, the most were offensive linemen (10), linebackers (6), defensive linemen (4) and tailbacks (4). Seventeen of those UW players chosen were on NFL rosters — either active or practice squad — in 2017.
Milt Hendrickson, a national scout for the Baltimore Ravens, said Wisconsin players have cultivated a specific reputation in the league. He experienced that first-hand in 2013 when the Ravens used a fifth-round pick on offensive tackle Rick Wagner, who became a mainstay before signing with Detroit as a free agent prior to last season.
"There's just kind of a standard — an expectation — that any kid that comes from this program gives you peace of mind because you know what you're getting," Hendrickson said during pro day earlier this month.
What makes a draft-worthy player?
"Guys who are smart and tough," Hendrickson said. "They work hard and they don't just like football, don't love football. They need it. It's part of who they are. You get guys like that, that have great character, that's a draft-able football player."
Milt Hendrickson has worked with the Baltimore Ravens for 13 years "There's this kind of a standard and an expectation that any kid that comes from [Wisconsin] gives you a peace of mind "You know what you're getting" #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 14, 2018
Kolodziej, a former standout defensive lineman for the Badgers who played seven seasons in the NFL, said he welcomes feedback from pro talent evaluators.
"These guys, they love coming to watch us practice," he said. "As you go through the year, they come in here and are, like, 'Man, it's awesome to watch how you guys practice because you practice the game the way it's supposed to be played and you play the game the way it's supposed to be played.'
"I think that's why you see so many of our guys go on and have successful careers regardless of where they started in the league. They have the tools and are equipped to go in and play 10 years in the league and then, on top of that, they go on and continue to have great success in whatever it is that comes next."
"It's been an amazing ride for the last 11 years." A message from @joethomas73 to the fans: #ThankYou73
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 14, 2018
Five UW coaches — Chryst, Bobby April III, Bob Bostad, Ted Gilmore and John Settle — have worked as NFL assistants, so they have dual perspectives on the draft process.
Chryst, who is 34-7 (.829) since taking over the program at his alma mater in 2015, was asked about being a sounding board for his players who are preparing to move to the next level.
"You have to cover that all through the years that they're here in how to prepare for big moments and handle different situations," he said. "Quite honestly, at this point, you're just giving them a little bit of reinforcement. They know how to handle it and they lean on each other.
"I think our job in this program is to make sure that whatever that next chapter is for the kids on our team, they're ready and confident for it.
"Really, our offense, defense and special teams' systems have a strong NFL background, and so our players are used to it. What we ask our offensive linemen to do, what we ask our running backs to do, there's certainly going to be some learning, but not a whole new experience for them."
Chryst spent three seasons in the NFL coaching tight ends for San Diego from 1999 to 2001. He said the best thing a prospect can do at these draft auditions is be consistent.
"I know from being on the other end when I was in San Diego, you watched the tape and had a great feel for them. Now you want the tape to come to life for you," he said. "You get a chance to meet them. You see some movement that you thought you saw on the game tape. Really, you're just trying to confirm the tape."
It was significant that a host of former UW teammates, now in the NFL, showed up at the McClain Center in a show of support.
One year ago, Corey clement was participating in Wisconsin Pro Day Today, @CoreyClement_6 is a Super Bowl champion back in Madison to support his former teammates Once a Badger, always a Badger #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 14, 2018
"I think that's why we've been successful is because guys truly care about each other," Chryst said. "I think it shows how much the individuals mean."
There is a common thread that binds the current crop of UW pro prospects and their NFL predecessors.
"The foundation of this program is smart, tough, dependable," Kolodziej said. "The secret is there is no secret.
"If you're a good guy, a good teammate, you work hard, you know what to do and do it well and do it consistently, that's what we're fortunate to have. We have great kids in the building. It starts with Coach Chryst, philosophically where he operates from and the type of people he goes after and allows in this building."
?? 26 reps on 225 lb bench Alec James had a performance that would've ranked among the best at the #NFLCombine Hear from @blackXsuperman about how the rest of his Pro Day went
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 14, 2018
Kolodziej counts himself among the fortunate to be part of the UW mix.
"I'm allowed to be here and am very thankful for that," he said. "A lot of guys, they appreciate this opportunity and what this place is and what it's about. They really embrace and trust in the process. There's no magic in any of it. It's hard work, sticking to the fundamentals and details, and everything else takes care of itself."
