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Football Alumni Round-up: 2020-21 Preview Special

10/22/2020, 8:00am CDT
By Colton Wilson

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

College football has taken a unique path to the point where it's at now. From postponements, cancellations, and restructuring of schedules, COVID-19 has altered the 2020 NCAA football season like never before. With the Big 10 starting action this Friday, it seemed like a great time to preview the many former Wisconsin high school football players that are competing at the Division 1, FBS level.

Overall, 134 alumni will suit up for 30 different FBS programs across the country. Nine different conferences are represented by alumni, including four of the Power Five conferences. From All-Big Ten senior and Bay Port grad Cole Van Lanen of Wisconsin to Coastal Carolina freshman and Brookfield Central grad Drew Leszczynski, the talent is far and wide.

Below you will find a table with all 134 alumni and where they are playing football at this season.

High School Honors

Many of the athletes that fill the Division 1 rosters were recognized in high school with All-Conference, All-State and WSN senior awards.

A whopping 61 alumni were named to the WFCA All-State during their high school career. Bay Port's Isaiah Gash and Amherst's Garrett Groshek were named WFCA Offensive Player of the Years.

On the other side of the ball, Bay Port's Matt Lorbeck, Menomonie's Mason Stokke, Stratford's Ben Barten and Kimberly's Boyd Dietzen were all named WFCA Defensive Player of the Year.

Current Wisconsin starting inside linebacker and Grantsburg alum Leo Chenal took home both WFCA Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors just two years ago in 2018.

Along with WFCA honors, 18 of the alumni were named one of the many WSN Senior Award recipients. Of the eight WSN senior awards given out yearly, six of them will suit for the Badgers this season. That list includes Waukesha West's Chimera Dike, Ben Barten, Stoughton's Jack Nelson, Neenah's Jack Van Dyke, Milwaukee Riverside's Amaun Williams and Marquette's Riley Nowakowski.

What's Happened So Far?

Through the first five games of the season, a pair of lineman from the state have started their 42nd and fifth career games. Ashwaubenon's Airon Servais is in his final season at Syracuse and has started every game the past three seasons. On the other hand, Waukesha West grad and 2017 WSN Joe Thomas Award winner Bryce Texeria got his first starts for the Navy Midshipmen.

Iowa State has seen two former Badger State alumni start on either side of the ball for them this season. Derek Schweiger of Plymouth High School has started every game at right guard for the Cyclones early on. On the defensive side, Waukesha north grad Will McDonald has been an absolute terror in opponent's backfields. In just four games, he already has 4.5 sacks, which leads the Big 12 conference.

Averie Habas went to Iowa Western Community College last year as a freshman where he earned NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors. This season, the Rice Lake alum is a starting linebacker for Southern Mississippi.

Another JUCO transfer has established himself on the Arkansas State line. Middleton's Jarrett Horst transferred from Ellsworth Community College last season and in his first year with the Red Wolves earned Third Team All-Sun Belt honors. He's started every game at left tackle so far this season.

What To Look Forward To

Wisconsin Depth Chart

Four defensive and 13 offensive players were listed among the Wisconsin two-deep depth chart, released last week. The offensive line is entirely from the Badger State. Amherst's Garrett Groshek will look to fill the shoes of departed All-American Jonathan Taylor at running back, while Madison Memorial's Jake Ferguson will look to build on his Honorable Mention All-Big Ten season last year. True freshman Chimere Dike of Waukesha North has turned heads so far in camp, and may earn reps as the season progresses.

Defensively, true sophomore Leo Chenal of Grantsburg and Janesville Craig's Keeanu Benton will look to break out after seeing the field more towards the end of last season. Also, junior Matt Henningsen of Menomonee Falls will build off a 2019 season that saw him score two defensive touchdowns and earn Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches.

What others could step up for the home state team?

Elsewhere in the Big 10

Kenosha Indian Trail's Daviyon Nixon will get the start at defensive tackle for Iowa after breaking out last year. Catholic Memorial grad Max Cooper will handle punt return duties for the Hawkeyes while both Jack Plumb of Bay Port and Cody Ince of Unity were listed on the two-deep on the offensive line.

Arrowhead's Noah Harvey came on strong last season and took over a starting spot on the Michigan State defense. He'll look to build on his sophomore season where he racked up 49 tackles and three sacks.

MACtion

Outside of the Big 10, the MAC has the most former alumni spread throughout the conference. Northern Illinois has 17 former alumni on their roster, all underclassmen. Look for the young group to push for playing time, especially on the offensive line.

Speaking of offensive linemen, Valder's Luke Goedeke enters his second season starting for Central Michigan and Brookfield East's Mike Caliendo will start his 37th game for Western Michigan in game one.

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