Paxton Lynch, Alex Collins and More: Season Review

Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Joe Schobert (58) celebrates his first quarter sack with T.J. Edwards (53) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Schobert, LB Wisconsin

At one time Joe Schobert was battling to be the top dog in sacks for the year. Him and Carl Nassib were neck and neck and it seemed like any week one would top the other. I don’t know if my article brought bad luck to Schobert but after his top end 9.5 sacks through seven games he failed to register even half a sack in his final five contests. That’s not to say that Schobert hasn’t been playing well or less involved, he just wasn’t quite as on fire as he was to start the season.

Regardless though, Schobert was named as a First Team All-American by the FWAA and will look to continue his dominance at the next level. When I first wrote on Schobert he was a mildly known prospect out of Wisconsin playing behind future draft pick Vince Biegel who ended with eight sacks himself. He was a solid linebacker in 2014 but didn’t have any eye-popping stats that get you excited. One thing I do love about Schobert is that he’s a solid, disciplined tackler, like many linebackers before him that ventured out of Madison.

I think if we were still in October and talking about the 9.5 sacks that Schobert had accrued so far we might be thinking of him as a second to third round guy in the spring. The question that he’s going to have to answer is why? Why did the production in the sack column tail off and are you just a product of a great scheme or are you a player that just struggled with production in his final games?

Of all five prospects that I’ve come back to review Schobert has the most work to do in terms of making himself look like the part while also being draftable. At 6’2 240 pounds a slow shuttle time or 10 second split could cost Schobert rounds in the draft or even the opportunity. He had one interception on the year but if he’s going to be a 4-3 outside linebacker he’ll be called on to defend the pass more often than he did at Wisconsin. I

t’s more likely however that he’s in a 3-4 scheme for his pass rushing ability and his sure tackling against the run but we’ve witnessed countless coaches drafting players against their college defenses. For those outside of Madison the name Joe Schobert is hit or miss but I’m going with the majority and saying many of Have Not Heard Of Joe Schobert. 

The Have You Heard Of series only featured a few players this year but I hope to continue it this upcoming season and make it a regular item at NFL Mocks. There are many more players and a long off-season to study film and prepare for the 2016 College Football Season. I’d like to incorporate a pre-season, mid-season and end of season review on the players featured for next year.

If you have any players you know about for possible consideration in a Have You Heard Of articles send me a tweet @sostoked21 with the player, position, school and stats. As much film as I watch it’s impossible to catch everyone. Thank you and Happy Holidays!