Wisconsin Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018

4. Andrew Van Ginkel, LB (Sr.)

In a year where the Badgers were decimated with injuries, no one stepped up bigger than linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. That was especially true in the latter half of the season.

Van Ginkel was solid all season, securing 32 total tackles and was second on the team in sacks. His rise to fame came in the final two games of the season where he secured two interceptions. One came against Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett that went back for a touchdown. Another was a crucial momentum-stopping pick against Miami in the Orange Bowl.

With linebackers Leon Jacobs and Jack Cichy departing Wisconsin, it is almost guaranteed that Van Ginkel will be one of the starters in Leonhard’s 3-4 scheme next year with Connelly and Edwards. The fourth linebacker slot will be up for grabs, but Van Ginkel’s end to the season last year showed that he has what it takes- both speed and strength- to be a Big Ten starting defender.

The most crucial part of Van Ginkel’s game is that he is a dual-threat linebacker, meaning he can create instant pass rush from the end spot or drop back in coverage and matchup with tight ends or running backs.

Van Ginkel will be one of three senior linebackers next year. He will be one of the leaders of the defensive unit with majority of the secondary being new faces. He might not put up team-leading stats or numbers, but Van Ginkel is a guy that can be counted on to be involved in every play.