To the delight of many Wisconsin-born Packer fans, linebacker Vince Biegel out of Wisconsin was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 108th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Biegel, who grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, will play professional football just two hours away from his hometown. He will be a great addition to a young, talented linebacking corps in Green Bay. Biegel has the potential to not only become a fan favorite, but also one of the best linebackers Green Bay has seen since the arrival of Clay Matthews in 2008.
Vince Biegel Will Become A Star In Green Bay
Vince Biegel arrived at Wisconsin in 2012, but burst onto the scene in 2014, posting 7.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 56 total tackles. Biegel would go on to be named 2nd-team All-Big Ten that season and would be named 3rd-team All-Big Ten in 2015 and 2nd-team All-Big Ten again in 2016. He would finish his career at Wisconsin with 20.5 sacks, 178 total tackles, and 38.5 tackles for loss.
Biegel, while not the most physically imposing linebacker, makes up for it with his leadership skills, intensity, quick hands and a passion for the game of football. He was voted team captain of the Badgers in 2016 and brings a fiery passion and intensity to the field that often fuels his other teammates as well. With the exception of players such as Mike Daniels, Green Bay often lacked defensive players last season that were vocal leaders and could elevate the play of teammates around them with their intensity. Vince Biegel would bring just that to the Packers; a leader who can will his teammates to victory through his own intensity.
Vince Biegel Similar To A Young Clay Matthews
Vince Beige’s quick jump off the ball and his quick hands, along with the intensity he plays the game with, are very similar to Clay Matthews style of play. They’re both roughly the same size (Biegel at 6’4″ and 246 lbs, Matthews at 6’3″ and 255 lbs), and they both ran a 4.67 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. The way they use their hands and quickness off the snap to shed bigger yet less nimble offensive lineman is very similar, and they both play the game with a very high level of intensity. A fully-healthy Matthews and an experienced Biegel would be a scary pass rush combination for many NFL teams, but that may be a few years off as Biegel will need time to develop his game in the NFL.
Biegel will be the newest addition to an already crowded linebacking corps in Green Bay that features many talented edge rushers, such as Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott and Datone Jones. Biegel, however, will get his shot in training camp and the preseason. I believe he will impress the coaches with his quickness, passion and knowledge of the game. Biegel may not start out the season getting many snaps, but as the season goes on I think he’ll become a valuable player that splits time with Nick Perry for that second outside rusher spot.
He won’t come out of the gates as a star, but given time to develop his skills Vince Biegel will become one of the best linebackers Green Bay has had in a long time.
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