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Wisconsin Football: Who is the Badgers’ 2017 defensive MVP?

By Trevor Jossart

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin football had the best defense in the country in 2017. Who was the Badgers’ most valuable player on that side of the ball?

All season, the Wisconsin Badgers have been known for their stout defense and inability to shut down opposing teams each and every way.

As a team who gave up around 200 yards on the ground in the entire month of November, it is hard to determine one player who was the leader of the pack and the catalyst for their success.

Each player on the Badgers’ defense offered something major to the table. Hawaii transfer defensive back Nick Nelson, for instance, led the team in breakups with 20. The next highest on the team was Natrell Jamerson with ten. Another example would be linebacker Ryan Connelly, who led the team in tackles with 80 and tackles for loss with 11. The Badgers had multiple players who specialized in one or two huge areas on defense.

And then there’s T.J. Edwards.

The junior linebacker had high expectations heading into this season, but was a little overshadowed due to the talent the Badgers had at linebacker. With season-ending injuries to Jack Cichy and Zack Baun, there was a tremendous amount of pressure riding on Edwards in his ability to perform.

Wisconsin finished the regular season first in the country in defense and of course first in the conference in both scoring and total defense.

Edwards did more than just perform as he was one of the sound leader of the Badgers’ defense. A first-team All-Big Ten honoree by both the media and coaches, Edwards contributed effectively in all major areas of defense.

Finishing second on the team behind Connelly for total tackles at 75, Edwards also add 11 tackles for loss- good for first along with Connelly. He also added two sacks.

What differentiates Edwards from Connelly for team’s MVP was the impact Edwards had on the passing game. With no disrespect to Connelly’s efforts this year, he mores specialized a run stopper and had a much lower focus on pass coverage, evident by his zero interceptions and zero breakups this season.

Edwards finished the year first amongst Badgers’ linebackers and fourth overall on the team in pass deflections. More impressively, he tied with Joe Ferguson- a safety- for most interceptions on the team with four. He had 64 total interceptions this season a defensive touchdown to go along with that.

Honorable Mention:

  • CB Nick Nelson (Jr.)
  • LB Ryan Connelly (Jr.)
  • LB Garret Dooley (Jr.)
  • S Joe Ferguson (Sr.)
  • LB Leon Jacobs (Sr.)

Next: Post-Regular Season 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Wisconsin fans will be holding their breath to see if Edwards chooses to return to Wisconsin for his senior year. Until then, Edwards will be leading the nation’s best defense in the Orange Bowl when they take on Miami December 30th in Miami.

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