NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

2020 NFL Draft: 8 Standout prospects from college football rivalry weekend

By Michael Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 and Chris Orr #54 of the Wisconsin Badgers grab the Paul Bunyan Football Trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 38-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 and Chris Orr #54 of the Wisconsin Badgers grab the Paul Bunyan Football Trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 38-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 12: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers intercepts a pass intended for Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a game 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 intercepts a pass intended for Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

7. Zack Baun, Edge, Wisconsin

Wisconsin took home the Paul Bunyan Trophy after defeating Minnesota in one of the oldest rivalries in college football history. The star of the Wisconsin Badgers is running back Jonathan Taylor. However, his defensive counterpart is linebacker Zack Baun.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Baun was absolutely dominant in making Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan uncomfortable all game long. He went all out as he always does with a relentless motor, consistently beating his man off the edge.

The 6-3, 235-pound edge rusher has elite quickness off the edge. He’s a lighting rod with an elite first step and ability to close in a hurry. He finished the game with two sacks and seemed unstoppable at times. His performance against Minnesota brought his season sack total to 11.5.

He’s not only impactful in the passing game, but he’s shown he can make plays on the running back as well. He has 45 tackles on the season with 18.5 coming behind the line of scrimmage. He’s continued to show why his size shouldn’t be a factor at the NFL level. As a pass rusher, he has a number of ways to beat his man. He works back inside as well as he does off outside. Thanks to his non-stop motor, he’s never out of a play.

At the next level, he’ll fit best a 3-4 outside linebacker who’ll share comparisons to guys like Lamar Woodley and Elvis Dumervil, two undersized ends who dominated in the NFL.

Home/NFL Draft