BadgerBlitz.com's Wisconsin player draft: Round 12

This summer, the Badgers will be divided.

That is, they'll be separated into three imaginary teams, set against each other by a BadgerBlitz.com.com Wisconsin player draft, a daily selection in which separate groups of 23 are assembled.

Over the next four weeks, BadgerBlitz.com reporters Jon McNamara, John Veldhuis and Jessi Schoville will draft Badgers, picking players one-by-one and placing them on their respective teams, trying to assemble the best 11 on offense and defense, plus one reserve.

Then, in late July, we'll decide — based on BadgerBlitz.com.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.

Who will be selected when? How will the teams develop? What reasoning will be used?

And most importantly, do you agree with the picks? Be sure to discuss in the Badgers' Den.

Ready for Round 12?

With my offensive line complete, I figured it was time to give my defense a bit of a boost. And while I realized at the time I was probably buying in to the hype from having seen him in person, I was still happy to come away with Titus Booker as my second cornerback.

The Badgers are a little thin at corner from an experience standpoint, but Booker stood out during his first year on campus. He was named the defensive scout team player of the year, and played well while competing with Natrell Jamerson to be the team's nickel back. Booker has good ball skills and proved able to handle himself in one-on-one drills, and should be a solid addition to my pass defense.

Having gone on a defensive streak with my picks, focusing on the Badgers' innate roster strength, I decided to finally go back to the other side of the ball and grab someone for my offense. With most of the other teams set on the line and none of the big guys going anywhere fast, I chose to go with the best playmaker I saw left available, and that was Krenwick Sanders at wide receiver.

Sanders has shown some dynamic play-making ability in practice this spring after returning from injury. He has the ability to make some really difficult catches and demonstrated great body control when going up for 50-50 balls against opposing defensive backs.

If I were being completely honest, in the moment, I would have taken George Rushing had he slipped just a little further. I really like what I saw from him during camp, which all culminated at the spring game when he and freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook hooked up for a pair of scores. Although Rushing has progressed he is still more of a risk, I think, than someone like Sanders. Both had some injuries this spring, but Sanders' growth tends to be consistent, while Rushing had shown both glimpses of brilliance and relapses of mistakes regularly in the past.

I loved Zack Baun coming out of high school and we heard nothing but positive things during his redshirt year at Wisconsin. He still might be a year away from being a major contributor with Vince Biegel and T.J. Watt ahead of him at outside linebacker, but I think Baun will see the field this year on special teams and in certain defensive packages.

Baun is still adjusting to life on defense after passing for 3,061 yards and 27 touchdowns with 3,923 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns on the ground during his high school career. But his athleticism shows well as both a pass rusher and defender in coverage. Look for the redshirt freshman to take another big jump in his progression this fall.

Miss a round?

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