Badgers who the Green Bay Packers May Draft in 2021
By Isaac Greig
Isaiahh Loudermilk- DL, Senior(RS)
Loudermilk was an underrated signing for the Badgers’ 2016 recruiting class. The 6’ 7”, 295-pound defensive lineman came from small-town Kansas, where he played 8-man football but made enough noise for the Badgers to take a shot at him. Though he redshirted his first year on campus, the coaching staff was immediately impressed by Loudermilk.
He was in position for a huge role in 2018 (his redshirt sophomore season) before a leg injury hindered him for most of the year. He rebounded in 2019 with a solid enough performance to earn All-Big Ten honorable mention, and there’s reason to expect even more during his redshirt-senior season.
Lining up anywhere from 1-tech to 5-tech, Loudermilk has been an integral piece of this Badgers’ defensive line. His combination of length and power makes him a difficult task for any college offensive lineman. Loudermilk doesn’t have elite feet or explosion, but he does have surprising flexibility for a man of his size.
Loudermilk is just an average pass-rusher right now. He does not consistently shoot his hands into the chest, extend his arms, and reset like he’s supposed to. However, on the reps where he uses proper technique, he’s nearly unblockable.
He consistently pushes the pocket and has flashed a devastating bull-rush, while also showing that he has the flexibility to finesse his way through double teams and can bend the edge when he’s asked to. When his pass rush is stalled, Loudermilk looks to interrupt passing lanes, and with 8 passes defended over his career it’s clear he has a knack for it.
Loudermilk also has plenty of value against the run. He sees the whole field and is always around the ball. He’s a natural knee-bender that keeps leverage, even with his length. Loudermilk is a solid wrap-up tackler who knows how to throw his weight around.
He consistently holds his run fit with great balance and power, though at his current weight he’ll likely struggle to anchor inside the guard at the NFL level. His lack of athleticism shows up against the run as well, as he’s far too often a step away from making the play.
At this point, that’s Loudermilk’s biggest issue; he really hasn’t made much of an impact. While he’s often right there, he doesn’t get home enough. As a redshirt-senior, its’ time for Loudermilk to step up. If he can improve his practical quickness and technique as a pass rusher, he could push for day two value as a 3-tech or 5-tech on an NFL defense.
It also just so happens the Green Bay Packers are shorthanded at that position. With a murky outlook past Kenny Clark and Kinsley Keke, there’s reason to expect the Packers to attack the defensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft.
A healthy, motivated Isaiahh Loudermilk would likely be an upgrade over Dean Lowry and the rest of the supporting cast. Loudermilk would step onto the field and provide immediate help against the run, while fine-tuning his third-down skills. If Loudermilk makes some noise in 2020, the Green Bay Packers should make a play for him in the 2021 NFL Draft.