The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017).
The Top 15 Players countdown is not a recruiting ranking and not indicative of what the players did after high school. It is a ranking of the top high school players, the impact they had for their team, and the dominance they displayed while in high school.
The history and tradition of linemen from the state of Wisconsin is well-known, and one of best recent examples of that success is Big Foot's Travis Frederick.
A dominant two-way player in the Rock Valley Conference, he was the league's Linemen of the Year three times. As a junior, he ascended to WFCA First Team All-State recognition as an offensive lineman and Honorable Mention laurels on the defensive line. He would repeat as a WFCA All-State pick as a senior, adding First Team recognition on defense as well.
At 6-5, 315 pounds, there were few Division 4 players who posed a challenge to Frederick in high school. Big, strong, and agile, he was also incredibly smart, recording a 4.065 GPA in high school before majoring in computer engineering at the University of Wisconsin.
After helping Big Foot to its first-ever playoff victory as a sophomore in 2006, he was a part of another playoff-winning squad in 2007. As a senior in 2008, the Chieftains advanced to their first state title game, falling to Wautoma 20-0 as fellow future Badger Jared Abbrederis turned in a big performance.
Relatively lightly committed, Frederick would commit to the University of Wisconsin before his senior season. He started at center in his first collegiate game as a true freshman, and after redshirting the following year, spent two years starting at guard and center for record-setting Badgers offenses.
Frederick would declare for the NFL after his junior season, where he was picked 31st overall by the Dallas Cowboys. He became the starter at center immediately, and in his second season was selected to the Pro Bowl. He is working on three straight Pro Bowl seasons, and last year was named a First Team All-Pro selection.
#15 - J.J. Watt, Pewaukee
#14 - Jayme Wells, Kimberly
#13 - Travis Frederick, Big Foot
#12 - Travis Beckum, Oak Creek
#11 - Sam Santiago-Lloyd, Brookfield East
#10 - Garrett Groshek, Amherst
#9 - Leo Musso, Waunakee
#8 - Blair Mulholland, Kimberly
#7 - Gabe Carimi, Monona Grove
#6 - Ben Hempel, Franklin
#5 - Mike Newkirk, Ladysmith
#4 - Eric Brunner, Greendale
#3 - John Clay, Racine Park
#2 - Josh Oglesby, Saint Francis
#1 - Melvin Gordon, Kenosha Bradford
For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.
Tag(s): News Archive News Travis Wilson WSN15