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Wisconsin Football: Zack Baun’s Draft Stock is on the Rise

By Paul Bretl

MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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We are still a few months away from the NFL Draft in April, but Wisconsin Football star Zack Baun’s draft stock is on the rise.

It was a very inconspicuous start to Zack Baun’s career with the Wisconsin Football program.

Baun would red-shirt during his freshman season back in 2015. Then the following year, he would appear in seven games and total 15 tackles with a forced fumble. Unfortunately in 2017 he would miss the entire season with a foot injury, but despite the setback, Baun would put together a solid junior season in 2018 with 62 total tackles, 7.5 of which were for a loss, with 2.5 sacks and an interception in 13 games.

Then there was this season, where Baun’s numbers across the board would take a huge jump and as the college football season went on, he began to garner more attention. And for good reasons. In total, Baun would record 75 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, a team leading 12.5 sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1205558765954707456

As a result of his stellar performance, Baun was named to the All-American team, an honor that I’m not sure many would have predicted back in the summer months. And although Baun’s numbers are certainly impressive, they are only a portion of the story in his development.

While he may be a bit undersized for an edge rusher at the NFL level, Baun has good strength, but it is his first step and speed, along with an effective spin move that made him such a good pass-rusher. Against the run he is a sure tackler, but in addition to these two aspects of his game, what makes him a special player is his versatility.

Of course we all know and have seen Baun’s ability to get after the quarterback and make plays in the backfield, however, it is also what he can do in coverage that will make him appealing to NFL teams. Whether it’s playing the run, rushing the passer, or dropping into zone coverage and protecting the flats, Baun can really do a little bit of everything.

Due to his big season, along with the traits and skill set that he possess, Baun has become much more on the radar over the last month or two. At one point during the season, he was projected as a mid-round selection, but now some draft analysts – Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report – have him as a first round pick.

In the NFL, Baun will be best suited for rushing the passer from a stand-up position but if teams want him to play more as an off-ball linebacker, he is very capable of that as well. According to Pro Football Focus, Baun has dropped into coverage on over 80 snaps in both 2018 and 2019 and received coverage grades of 81.3 and 90.0, respectively. And that versatility is why he will be coveted.

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As the draft process continues to unfold, Baun is someone who is going to shine. He will score very well in his various workouts, not to mention that he has the attitude and work ethic that every NFL team desires. Those traits coupled with the film he’s put out and the numbers he’s produced will lead to Zack Baun flying up draft boards in the upcoming months.

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