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37 to defensive back that he found his niche and an- other mentor ― along the lines of Jennings at West- ern Michigan ― in former UW safety Jim Leonhard, a first-team All-American who went on to play in the NFL for a handful of teams. "He (Leonhard) has a place in Madison and he would come around and use the facilities to work out during the off-season,'' Maragos said. "At first, when I saw him, I was kind of star-struck. I was like, 'Dude, that's Jim Leonhard. That's every Wisconsin kid's dream, to be Jim Leonhard, right?' "I mustered up enough strength to go and talk to him. I said, 'Hey, listen, you don't know who I am, but I just switched to defense and I loved your career and the way you play. If you're ever watching film or doing a workout or doing anything, just shoot me a text and let me know what time. "I promise you that I won't bug you, but I'll just watch, I'll be like a shadow.''' Because he's such a good guy, so unassuming, Le- onhard went along with it. "The first couple of times, I was just watching him watch film,'' Maragos said. "After awhile, he started explaining a little bit more what was going on and we'd go out on the field and he'd show me certain techniques.'' Reflecting on how he forced himself upon Leon- hard back then, Maragos couldn't help but laugh about it today. "It went from him being a teacher to an athlete type of relationship,'' Maragos said, "to now where we're really great buds and our families are close. It's really cool the way it all played out.'' Maragos developed into a very solid player, a two- year starter for the Badgers. He was most proud of being named a team captain during his senior year, particularly since he had been a walk-on, a transfer, no less, and because "you really had to earn the re- spect of your teammates,'' he said. The players voted on captains, making it all the more special. "The fact that they would say, 'We want you to lead us, we want to follow your lead, we think highly of you and we respect you,''' he said, savoring the sound of the word, "that to me was probably my great accomplishment up to this point.'' Up to this point ― Super Bowl XLVIII. "It's been so surreal,'' said Maragos, 27. "This is something you dream about. This is the pinnacle of your profession. To have an opportunity to play in this game is truly amazing. At the same time, we don't want to get caught in the moment. We want to make sure we handle our business and execute.'' It will be the final thing that crosses his mind be- fore covering that first kickoff against Denver. "It's been so surreal,'' said Maragos. "This is some- thing you dream about. This is the pinnacle of your profession. To have an opportunity to play in this game is truly amazing. At the same time, we don't want to get caught in the moment. We want to make sure we handle our business and execute.'' DAVID STLUKA