Five Wisconsin Badgers will embark on what they hope will be their NFL careers this weekend as they await the NFL Draft set to take place this Saturday and Sunday.
Heading up this year's list of talent for UW is wide receiver Lee Evans, along with outside linebacker Alex Lewis, inside linebacker Jeff Mack, quarterback Jim Sorgi and safety Ryan Aiello.
Evans comes into this year's draft with great hands and a fast 40 time (a 4.44 40-yard dash), something that has made him a standout at UW since he was a freshman opposite Chris Chambers in the Badger offense. He was expected to be one of the best wide receivers in the 2003 class, but a torn ACL in 2002 forced Evans to stay at UW for another season to recuperate his knee and make a comeback. This season, Evans is listed as high as third on many professional draft boards, fourth on the NFLInsider draft board. The wideout could be going to teams in the mid-first round to teams like Tennessee or even as far up as San Francisco at the No. 16 pick.
Alex Lewis is considered one of the top 15 outside linebackers in the nation, according to Lane Adkins of NFLInsider. Lewis' combination of speed, acceleration and awareness on the field give many teams a reason to pick him up. He will not be an impact player his first season, though, since he will need some time at the pro level to develop his skills. Lewis is expected to be taken in the third-to-fourth round range.
Jeff Mack is also another UW linebacker that is considered to be a top 15 pick amongst middle linebackers, according to Adkins. Mack is a Madison native that has been a leader for the UW defense. He is a physical player but is not a very quick linebacker, like a Brian Urlacher or Ray Lewis. Expect Mack to be taken in the fifth round.
Jim Sorgi is a top 25 quarterback, according to Adkins, that has potential to get on an NFL team. Sorgi's downside is his size. At 6'3', 207 pounds, Sorgi is a tall, lanky quarterback. However, he has shown resiliency in the pocket and has a strong arm and mental toughness. Sorgi will be taken in the late sixth to seventh round on Sunday.
Ryan Aiello is eligible for this season's draft, but is not expected to be drafted at all. Aiello may be signed as a free agent after the draft, performing special team duties.
For these five, their collegiate football days are now past them. Their football careers ride on the balance in this weekend's NFL draft.
