True Freshman QB Isaiah ("Juice") Williams had the #17 Badgers on the ropes after a terrific first half during which he showed he can run and throw with equal ability. He is better than (but similar to) Omar Jacobs in both facets of the game, and will be a top draft pick one day. As good as he was in the first half, John Stocco was in the second half, though. Williams threw an awful pick, and missed a wide, WIDE open receiver for a gimme TD that would have cemented the Illini upset. They led 24-10 at the half, before Stocco pulled the nicer of the Jekyl & Hyde side of his playing personality out in the second half.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Wisconsin Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Joe Thomas 72 6' 7.0" 313 4.95 OT 2007: Every bit as good as his press clippings. There are no holes in this guy's game. Could be slightly more aggressive to the whistle, but that's about it. Does everything well. Might be beaten initially by super fast (or short) NFL DEs until he is coached up a bit. Looks like a perennial all-pro. GRADE: Positive

Ken DeBauche 16 6' 1.0" 222 5.00 P 2008: Did nothing special. Not grade.

John Stocco 7 6' 2.0" 204 0.00 QB 2007: Horrible first half and very good second half. Makes the short passes and the sideline intermediate pass very, very well. Runs too hot and cold for my taste. Not the best pocket awareness, and with his size you need that, and you need to run better overall. Has some skills to work with. I'd take him late and hand him the clipboard. GRADE: Neutral

Mark Zalewski 41 6' 1.5" 232 4.65 LB 2007 : an undersized, over-achieving tough guy who makes plays. Drops nicely in coverage. Looks pretty darned fast out there to me. I love productive "yes-sir" types. I don't know if he has the size or lateral agility to play inside in the 4-3, but he'd be fine inside in a 3-4...at least as a backup and ST warrior. GRADE: Positive

Roderick Rogers 22 6' 2.0" 187 4.55 S 2007: Wisconsin has a perfect safety tandem in the ballhawking Rogers and the rock 'em-sock'em Stellmacher. Both look like they have a shot. Rogers closes well, looks people up, and wraps. He gets quickly into the passing lanes when rushing, and drops fluidly for a centerfielder type. Smart, productive. I like him, but may not draft him in the 7th, unless I was sure somebody else was in love with him also. GRADE: Slightly positive

Joe Stellmacher 16 6' 1.0" 218 4.62 S 2007: A fast LB playing SS. A little bit of swagger here. Plays a little like TB and Denver have used their SS lately. Not a huge hitter, but a very sure tackler, and emotional football player. Hands aren't too bad either. GRADE: Neutral


College: Illinois Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Pierre Thomas 30 5' 11.0" 210 4.50 HB 2007: really was the workhorse today after Mendenhall showed he was back in his funk. Also outshined E.B. Halsey by a mile. Versatile but not special. Runs OK between the tackles. Will not gain yardage between the tackles in the NFL though, and shows no third gear to clear the safeties when running. Decent hands. Was the Illini offense for the most part today. GRADE: Neutral

E.B. Halsey 26 5' 10.0" 200 4.55 HB 2007: I don't know where he went. I loved this kid two years ago. Should have switched to safety this year. Did carry the ball a couple of times, but I didn't see enough to grade him. GRADE: INC.

Alan Ball 18 6' 1.0" 175 4.40 CB 2007: Too small. Got cleaned out by P.J. Hill completely on one play, and by TE Travis Beckman on the next. Will always be a liability in run support because he is so small. He better run a 4.3 and jump 38" plus to have any shot as a dime corner in pass prevent too.
Grade: Negative

Matt Maddox 67 6' 3.2" 310 5.18 OG 2007: Wasn't in the database, but I HAD to add him, Adam. Check out his bio. This guy has started forever and really stood out to me. Very active. Gets off the ball quick. Hits people and hits them hard. Pulls and traps well. Gets walked back a little in pass pro, but not quickly enough to matter. GRADE: Positive

Other notes:

These teams are full of young emerging stars. Illinois has a par of very impressive LBs in Britt Miller and J Lemen (just "J"...not "Jay"...not "J."...just "J")

Frosh TB P.J. Hill for Wisconsin got injured TWICE in this game, but was unstoppable in the first series. A load at 5'11", 242 too.