Many high school football standouts in Wisconsin go on to big things at the college level and in the pros, and this is our spot to recognize those athletes each week and help you keep up with what is going down on some of your favorite players from the past. If you have alumni news, please send it to Colton Wilson by 10 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Ryan Ramczyk, Stevens Point: Ryan continued his great start to his professional career for the New Orleans Saints. In his third season, Ryan was named to the AP All-Pro team for the first team in his career after making the second team last season in 2018. He was rated the second best right tackle in the NFL through week 15. Ryan has started 47 of a possible 48 games through his first three seasons.
T.J. Watt, Pewaukee: T.J. had a breakout season this year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The third linebacker made a name for himself in opposing backfields all year. This year, T.J. was tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks with 14.5. He was tied for second in the NFL with 23 tackles for loss, and third in quarterback hits with 36. T.J. also led the NFL in forced fumbles with eight and added two interceptions and 55 total tackles on the year. He was named a first team AP All-Pro and voted to his second straight Pro-Bowl.
Brandon Brooks, Milwaukee Riverside: Brandon has been a steady force at right guard for the Philadelphia Eagles. In his fourth year with the Eagles and eighth overall, Brandon became the highest paid guard in NFL history. He was also rated as the top offensive lineman through week 15 by Pro Football Focus. Despite being snubbed on the All-Pro team, Brandon was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl. Due to injury, he will not be attending to rehabilitate. For his career, Brandon has started 106 games in the NFL.
Travis Frederick, Big Foot: Travis had an incredible bounce back year after sitting out all of the 2018-19 season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. In his sixth season with the Dallas Cowboys, Frederick was named to his fifth Pro Bowl, missing only the one season he sat out due to illness. Travis has started 96 game for the Cowboys in his career thus far.
Zack Baun, Brown Deer: Baun shot up draft boards this past year at UW-Madison, finishing second in the Big 10 with 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss on the season. Zack was named First Team Big Ten by both the coaches and the media. He was also named second team All-American by both the Associated Press and Sporting News, and a first team Walter Camp All-American.
Tyler Biadasz, Amherst: Tyler has accumulated many and more awards and recognition in his three seasons at UW-Madison. He was named a Freshman All-American and third team All-Big Ten in 2017. He Followed that up by being named first team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-American by College Football news in his sophomore campaign. In this, his junior and final season at Wisconsin, Tyler took home even more awards. He was named first team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season, while garnering Academic All-Big Ten for the third straight year. Tyler was also named unanimous first team All-American by the AFCA, Associated Press, ESPN, FWAA, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and Walter Camp. Above all that, Tyler was named a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the winner of the Rimington Trophy; awarded to the nation's top center.
Ben Bredeson, Arrowhead: After being named second team All-Big Ten the past two seasons, Ben garnered unanimous first team honors in his senior season at Michigan. A four year starter, Ben started 45 games for the Wolverines and this year was named third team Associated Press All-American and second team Walter Camp All-American.
CONFERENCE | NAME | COLLEGE | AWARD | HIGH SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Big 10 | Ben Bredeson | Michigan | First Team (U) | Arrowhead |
Nate Stanley | Iowa | Honorable Mention (Coaches) | Menomonie | |
Kristian Welch | Iowa | Honorable Mention (U) | Iola-Scandinavia | |
Robert Windsor | Penn State | Third Team (Coaches) | Fond du Lac | |
Zack Baun | Wisconsin | First Team (U) | Brown Deer | |
Tyler Biadasz | Wisconsin | First Team (U) | Amherst | |
Matt Henningsen | Wisconsin | Honorable Mention (Coaches) | Menomonee Falls | |
Logan Bruss | Wisconsin | Honorable Mention (U) | Kimberly | |
Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin | Honorable Mention (U) | Madison Memorial | |
Cole Van Lanen | Wisconsin | Second Team (Media) | Bay Port | |
Ben Bredeson | Michigan | |||
Conference USA | James Morgan | Florida International | Honorable Mention | Ashwaubenon |
Mid-American | Jordan Steckler | Northern Illinois | First Team | Two Rivers |
Mike Caliendo | Western Michigan | Second Team | Brookfield East | |
Sun Belt | Jarrett Horst | Arkansas State | Third Team | Middleton |
CONFERENCE | NAME | COLLEGE | AWARD | HIGH SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Missouri Valley | Ty DeForest | Illinois State | Second Team | Marshall |
Trevor Heit | North Dakota State | Honorable Mention | Alma-Pepin | |
Hunter Luepke | North Dakota State | Honorable Mention | Spencer | |
Brett Samson | South Dakota | Second Team | Oconomowoc | |
Pioneer League | Chris Evans | Drake | Second Team | Slinger |
Alex Rogers | Drake | Honorable Mention | Racine Case |
Chris Garrett, Wisconsin Lutheran: Chris has put together quite the resume at Concordia-St. Paul over his first three seasons for the Bears. This past season, he set the record for sacks in school history with 36.5 total in his career, ranking second in the Northern Sun Conference (NSIC) and thirteenth in Division 2 football history. He led the NSIC in sacks with 14, for the second straight year and came in second in all of Division 2 after leading the category last year. He was named to the All-NSIC-South First Team for the second straight year, and took home NSIC Defensive Player of the Year laurels.
To go along with the all-conference recognition, he was named the D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Defensive Player of the Year as well as to the Regions First-Team. Chris was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press for the second straight year, while also being named to the D2CCA and D2Football.com first team All-American Teams. Lastly, Garrett was named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, which recognizes the nation's small college defensive player of the year.
Evan Heim, De Pere: Evan finalized an incredible four year career at Minnesota State-Mankato where he started an impressive 54 games over that stretch. Besides being named to the NSIC-South first-team All-Conference team for the third straight season, Evan took home All-American honors for the second straight year. Evan was named to a first team All-American by D2Football.com for the second straight year. He was also named to the AP and D2CAA All-American first teams.
CONFERENCE | NAME | COLLEGE | AWARD | HIGH SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|---|
GLIAC | Will Ark | Michigan Tech | Second Team | Ashwaubenon |
Xavier Ciardo | Michigan Tech | Honorable Mention | Kenosha Indian Trail | |
Brady Hanson | Northern Michigan | Honorable Mention | Kewaskum | |
Great Lakes Valley | Payton Rose | Lindenwood | First Team | Cumberland |
Great Midwest Athletic | Justin Growel | Lake Erie | First Team | East Troy |
MIAA | Matt Wendelberger | Fort Hays State | Honorable Mention | Pewaukee |
Northern Sun | Kyle Theis | Augustana | Honorable Mention | Germantown |
Jacob Anderson | Bemidji State | Honorable Mention | Merrill | |
Ryan Fuller | Bemidji State | Honorable Mention | Necedah | |
Chris Garrett | Concordia-St. Paul | First Team | Wisconsin Lutheran | |
Dalton Smerchek | Concordia-St. Paul | Honorable Mention | Luxemburg-Casco | |
Bailey Meyer | University of Mary | Second Team | Sheboygan North | |
Will Cross | Minnesota Crookston | Honorable Mention | Turtle Lake | |
Noah LeBlanc | Minnesota Duluth | First Team | Hayward | |
Isaac Erdmann | Minnesota Duuth | First Team | Menasha | |
Tom Johnson | Minnesota Duluth | First Team | Xavier | |
Austin Kurylo | Minnesota Duluth | First Team | Westosha Central | |
Nate Pearson | Minnesota Duluth | First Team | Northwestern | |
Cole Refsnider | Minnesota Duluth | First Team | Saint Croix Central | |
Zach Oruruo | Minnesota Duluth | Second Team | Madison La Follette | |
Joe Kordus | Minnesota Duluth | Second Team | Menasha | |
Dain Hudson | Minnesota Duluth | Second Team | Waukesha West | |
Jared Gossen | Minnesota State-Mankato | First Team | De Pere | |
Evan Heim | Minnesota State-Mankato | First Team | De Pere | |
Hunter Toppel | Minnesota State-Mankato | Second Team | DeForest | |
Michael Buetow | Minnesota State-Mankato | Second Team | St. Mary's Springs | |
Jakup Sinani | Minnesota State-Moorhead | Second Team | Oak Creek | |
Nathan Belisle | Minnesota State-Moorhead | Honorable Mention | Athens | |
Preston Droessler | Northern State | Second Team | Cuba City | |
Nolan Kern | Sioux Falls | First Team | Regis | |
Nick Zimmerman | Sioux Falls | Second Team | Laconia | |
Anthony Carver | St. Cloud State | First Team | Wisconsin Lutheran | |
Robert Kraklow | St. Cloud State | Second Team | Mukwonago | |
Matthew Lechner | St. Cloud State | Second Team | Catholic Memorial | |
Devon Krzanowski | St. Cloud State | Second Team | Fond du Lac | |
Adam Stage | St. Cloud State | Second Team | Kimberly | |
Dwayne Lawhorn | St. Cloud State | Honorable Mention | Germantown | |
Skyler Kurt | St. Cloud State | Honorable Mention | Lodi | |
Zach Stecklein | St. Cloud State | Honorable Mention | Mount Horeb | |
Sam Santiago-Lloyd | Winona State | First Team | Brookfield East | |
Nick Pridgeon | Winona State | First Team | Wauwatosa East | |
Carter Berlin | Winona State | Second Team | Augusta | |
Cole LaLiberty | Winona State | Honorable Mention | Chetek-Weyerhaeuser |
D3 West Region Honorees:
Quinn Meinerz -- First Team
Mike Olsen -- First Team
Sam Romanski -- First Team
Jed Schlegel -- First Team
Joshuah Kren -- Second Team
Samuel Staehling -- Second Team
Jaydon Haag -- Second Team
Kaleb Kaminski -- Second Team
Alec Benzinger -- Second Team
Nate Ihlenfeldt -- Third Team
Kyle Gannon -- Third Team
Austin Rupiper -- Third Team
Donovan Lucas -- Third Team
Peter Kissling -- Third Team
Joshuah Kren, Wisconsin Lutheran: In his first season at Martin Luther College after transferring from St. Cloud State, Joshuah made an immediate impact offensively. He finished the season third in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) in rushing with 936 yards and 11 scores, averaging a conference-best 8.9 yards per carry. He had a conference-best 1,409 all-purpose yards and had 17 total touchdowns. Joshuah was named the UMAC Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year to go along with his All-Conference and All-Region accolades.
Ian Paulsen, Watertown Luther Prep: Kren led the Martin Luther offense, but it was Ian who led their impressive defensive effort all season. Ian had 46 total tackles in UMAC play, while recording a safety and two blocked kicks. Ian was named the UMAC Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year.
Samuel Staehling, Plymouth: Samuel capped off an incredible four-year career at wide receiver at St. Norbert College, culminating in being named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American team and the Associated Press All-American second team. After finishing the nine-game season with 46 catches for 1,028 yards and 11 scores, Samuel was named to the Midwest Conference first-team for the third straight season. On top of that, he was named the Midwest Conference's Offensive Skill MVP for the season.
Quinn Meinerz, Hartford: Quinn was integral to the success of the UW-Whitewater offense this season starting on their talented offensive line. En route to a runner-up finish in all of Division 3, Quinn was named an Associated Press first team All-American and also a D3football.com second team All-American.
Mike Olsen, Arrowhead: Like Quinn, Mike was impressive on the offensive line for UW-Oshkosh and was named to the first team WIAC and All-West Region teams. To go along with those honors, Mike was named to the second team of the D3football.com All-American team.
Sam Romanski, Wausau East: Sam was a mainstay in opposing team's backfield for UW-Eau Claire this year. He led the WIAC with 11.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. To go along with his All-Conference and All-Region accolades, Sam was named to the D3football.com All-American second team.
Kaleb Kaminski, Tomahawk: Kaleb was stout all year for UW-Whitewater. He finished second in the WIAC with 101 total tackles, playing sideline to sideline at the linebacker position. Kalbe was named first team WIAC and also an Honorable Mention D3football.com All-American.
Jed Schlegel, Spring Valley: Jed tied for the WIAC in interceptions this year at UW-Stout with five, adding another seven breakups. He also was fifth in the WIAC in tackles from the defensive back position with 84. Jed was named to the D3football.com All-American third team.
Jaydon Haag, Sparta: Jaydon was incredible on special teams for UW-Oshkosh this year. Just a sophomore, Jaydon pinned 19 punts inside the 20 a WIAC lead. He also connected on all 12 field goals he attempted during the season with a long of 49. Jaydon was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He also garnered second team All-American laurels from D3football.com and the Associated Press.
CONFERENCE | NAME | COLLEGE | AWARD | HIGH SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|---|
College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | David Meza | Carroll College | First Team | Berlin |
Alex Kujawa | Carroll College | Second Team | Oshkosh North | |
American Rivers Conference | Kordell Stillmunkes | Dubuqe College | First Team | Cuba City |
Jacob Beasley | Dubuque College | First Team | Edgerton | |
Kody Riemer | Dubuque College | Second Team | Menasha | |
Upper Midwest | Joshuah Kren | Martin Luther | First Team | Wisconsin Lutheran |
Austin DeNoyer | Martin Luther | First Team | Lakeside Lutheran | |
Carrington Cunningham | Martin Luther | First Team | Wisconsin Lutheran | |
Jacob Schmidt | Martin Luther | First Team | Watertown Luther Prep | |
Ian Paulsen | Martin Luther | First Team | Watertown Luther Prep | |
Joe Herrewig | Martin Luther | First Team (KR), Second Team (DB) | Winnebago Lutheran | |
Mike Radue | Martin Luther | Second Team | Wisconsin Lutheran | |
Derek Gulrud | Martin Luther | Second Team | Lakeside Lutheran | |
Micah Otto | Martin Luther | Second Team | Watertown Luther Prep | |
Benjamin Hodel | Martin Luther | Second Team | Lakeside Lutheran | |
Sam Glaubitz | Northwestern | Second Team | River Falls | |
Mitchell Adrian | St. Scholastica | First Team | Altoona | |
Midwest Conference | Garrett Rau | Knox College | First Team (ST), Second Team (DB) | Abbotsford |
Ean Rau | Knox College | Second Team | Abbotsford | |
Will Tews | Lawrence University | Second Team | Appleton North | |
Austin Bunders | Ripon College | First Team | Almond-Bancroft | |
Cameron Gruenwald | Ripon College | First Team (P), Second Team (DB) | Iola-Scandinavia | |
Cormac Madigan | Ripon College | Second Team | Laconia | |
Brad Guell | Ripon College | Second Team | New Holstein | |
Matt Vanden Heuvel | St. Norbert College | Elite 20 Award | Denmark | |
Samuel Staehling | St. Norbert College | First Team | Plymouth | |
John Leonhard | St. Norbert College | First Team | Notre Dame | |
E.J. Mastrocola | St. Norbert College | First Team | Waterford | |
Austin Rupiper | St. Norbert College | First Team | Evansville | |
Nate Ihlenfeldt | St. Norbert College | First Team | Notre Dame | |
Kordell Draves | St. Norbert College | First Team | Southern Door | |
Blake Olejniczak | St. Norbert College | First Team | Notre Dame | |
Joe Peterson | St. Norbert College | First Team | Union Grove | |
Jake Berken | St. Norbert College | Second Team | Green Bay Preble | |
WIAC | Sam Romanski | UW-Eau Claire | First Team | Wausau East |
Victor Martinelli | UW-Eau Claire | First Team | Milton | |
Drew Shrader | UW-Eau Claire | Second Team | Arrowhead | |
Austin Belot | UW-Eau Claire | Second Team | Neenah | |
Ben Peterson | UW-Eau Claire | Honorable Mention | New Richmond | |
Rusty Murphy | UW-La Crosse | First Team | Cudahy | |
Peter Kissling | UW-La Crosse | First Team | Oregon | |
Jake Simuncak | UW-La Crosse | Second Team | South Milwaukee | |
Cameron Sorenson | UW-La Crosse | Honorable Mention | Oshkosh North | |
Zachary Zillmer | UW-La Crosse | Honorable Mention | Black River Falls | |
Connor Wears | UW-La Crosse | Honorable Mention | Amery | |
Justin Kasuboski | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Omro | |
Alex Wipperfurth | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Sauk Prairie | |
Mike Olsen | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Arrowhead | |
Brady Heimer | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Kimberly | |
Nick Noethe | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Mount Horeb | |
Jaydon Haag | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Sparta | |
Mitchell Berghs | UW-Oshkosh | First Team | Arrowhead | |
Brandon Kolgen | UW-Oshkosh | Second Team | Appleton North | |
Trenton LaCombe | UW-Oshkosh | Second Team | Seymour | |
Kollyn Beyer | UW-Oshkosh | Second Team | Mount Horeb | |
Riley Kallas | UW-Oshkosh | Honorable Mention | Winneconne | |
Brandon Hughes | UW-Oshkosh | Honorable Mention | Brookfield Central | |
Logan Heise | UW-Oshkosh | Honorable Mention | Wausau West | |
Tory Jandrin | UW-Oshkosh | Honorable Mention | Southern Door | |
Calvin Shilling | UW-Oshkosh | Honorable Mention | South Milwaukee | |
Kobe Berghammer | UW-Oshkosh | Newcomer of the Year | Cumberland | |
Wyatt Thompson | UW-Platteville | First Team | Mount Horeb | |
Tyler Reinhardt | UW-Platteville | First Team | Slinger | |
Tyler Knigge | UW-Platteville | Second Team | Waukesha South | |
Andrew Schweigert | UW-Platteville | Second Team | Sussex Hamilton | |
Hunter Grams | UW-Platteville | Second Team | Lodi | |
Drew Rakers | UW-Platteville | Second Team | Brookfield East | |
Bryce Arneson | UW-Platteville | Honorable Mention | Barneveld | |
Jackson McMahan | UW-Platteville | Honorable Mention | Belleville | |
Antonio-Jose Ramos | UW-Platteville | Honorable Mention | Arrowhead | |
Alex Herink | UW-River Falls | First Team | Hudson | |
Jared Hunter | UW-River Falls | Second Team | Luck | |
Max Praschak | UW-River Falls | Second Team | Somerset | |
Andy Metcalf | UW-River Falls | Honorable Mention | La Crosse Logan | |
Donovan Lucas | UW-Stevens Point | First Team (DB &KR) | Brown Deer | |
Jonte Webb | UW-Stevens Point | Second Team | Marinette | |
Jalen Burks | UW-Stevens Point | Second Team | Milwaukee Riverside | |
Kameron Kryzanski | UW-Stevens Point | Second Team | Thorp | |
Berkley Corvino | UW-Stevens Point | Honorable Mention | D.C. Everest | |
Nevada Laabs | UW-Stevens Point | Honorable Mention | Merrill | |
Jed Schlegel | UW-Stout | First Team | Spring Valley | |
Alec Benzinger | UW-Stout | First Team | Mukwonago | |
Bailey Roux | UW-Stout | Second Team | Rice Lake | |
Luke Wilz | UW-Stout | Second Team | Manawa | |
Sean Borgerding | UW-Stout | Honorable Mention | Spring Valley | |
Kyle Gannon | UW-Whitewater | First Team | Waukesha West | |
Quinn Meinerz | UW-Whitewater | First Team | Hartford | |
Ryan Wisniewski | UW-Whitewater | First Team | Sparta | |
Kaleb Kaminski | UW-Whitewater | First Team | Tomahawk | |
Jacob Erbs | UW-Whitewater | Second Team | Reedsburg | |
Nate Tranel | UW-Whitewater | Second Team | Lancaster | |
Jared Zausch | UW-Whitewater | Honorable Mention | Ozaukee | |
JT Parish | UW-Whitewater | Honorable Mention | Cambridge | |
Justin Hansen | UW-Whitewater | Honorable Mention | Beloit Turner | |
Justin Prostinak | UW-Whitewater | Honorable Mention | Lake Country Lutheran |
Tag(s): News Archive News Alumni Colton Wilson