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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
