Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - April 17, 2022

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37 A n unsolicited testimonial from the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year ― and one of the most productive linebackers to have ever played the game at Wisconsin ― has raised the bar of expectations for outside linebacker Joe Schobert, who has started just once in his first two college seasons. "I think he's got the potential to be an All-Big Ten player," said Chris Borland, the first linebacker in school history to be named first-team All-America (2013 Football Writers Association of America). "The (3-4) scheme is perfect for him and his skill set. He's a natural athlete." Borland, who's biding his time until the NFL draft in early May, was roaming the sidelines dur- ing Saturday's intrasquad game at Camp Randall Stadium. There was an even more telling endorse- ment of Schobert when Borland compared him to BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy, an established play- maker. "They're similar in size," Borland said of the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Van Noy and the 6-2, 235-pound Schobert. "And they're similar in their low-key demeanor. Both are very smooth in the way they play the game. I do think they resemble one another. Joe has great ball skills." What Schobert, a junior, doesn't have yet is the Van Noy resume, which is about as complete as one can be. Vay Noy was the only FBS player in 2011 and 2012 to record a statistic in every major defen- sive category. He fell short this past season when he didn't have a blocked kick or forced fumble. The 23-year-old Van Noy, a Reno, Nev., native, finished his BYU career with 226 tackles, includ- ing 62 TFLs and 26 quarterback sacks. He also had 32 QB hurries and seven interceptions. In 2012, he returned a fumble and an interception for a touch- down in the same game against San Diego State. Schobert got an up-close look at Van Noy during Wisconsin's 27-17 victory over the Cougars last No- vember at Camp Randall. Borland had 13 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and two sacks; Van Noy had eight tackles, two TFLs and an interception; and Schobert had five tackles, .5 TFLs, and two passes broken up. Linebackers Biegel, Schobert look to give defense an edge Developing pass rush a focus for Badgers heading into fall BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS,COM

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