Wisconsin Badgers: Former 2024 Starting LB With Staff While Awaiting Big NFL Opportunities

The Wisconsin Badgers currently have a former defensive leader tagging along with the staff in Platteville as the team ramps up preparations.

Jake Chaney, a former 2021 class three-star linebacker, played in four seasons for the Badgers with three seasons as a primary contributor at inside linebacker. Chaney recorded 174 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception during his career with the Badgers.

Chaney was a rising star on offense during his junior year when the linebacker recorded a career-high 80 total tackles and three sacks. Between the defensive fit, help defense over top, and the work put in by the linebacker, Chaney put together an impressive season and placed himself into draft talks heading into his final year of eligibility.

Last season, however, was not exactly what the linebacker had hoped for as the tackle numbers dropped from 80 down to 55, and sacks dropped down to just one. Chaney knew his name would likely not be called during the NFL draft, but there is still plenty of hope that the linebacker can make the NFL as an undrafted free agent or training camp invite.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Linebacker Jake Chaney Joins Staff, Hopes to Make an NFL Training Camp Roster

Currently, Chaney has not had the chance to truly showcase his talent for an NFL franchise yet but the linebacker aims to secure a spot on an NFL training camp roster. The linebacker does not have the prototypical size for the position at the NFL, standing in at just 5-foot-11-inches, but within the right defense Chaney could be a very productive player.

As a potential box safety at the NFL level, Chaney can get away with being smaller when he does not have to fight against much larger players each play. An NFL comparison could be Jamal Adams, who has had the most success of his career as a run stopper and a sub linebacker on the field in specific packages.

The difficulty, however, could be finding the right fit and the correct team that has the niche need for Chaney. Until then, however, the linebacker will be joining the Wisconsin Badgers staff on the sideline. Chaney is not a graduate assistant, but the door to being hired on as one seems to be potentially open for the linebacker if the NFL does not come knocking.