Leo

Chenal

Chenal (6'3/250) was a two-year starter who earned second-team All-American honors for his 2021 breakout campaign (115 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles). During the pre-draft process, Chenal ran a 4.53 40 with a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump en route to a 9.99 relative athletic score. A muscle-bound power ‘backer with a relentless style, Chenal ricochets off block attempts, packs a wallop, and doesn’t miss tackles. He brings north-south thunder but lacks fluidity. You’re best off blitzing him every passing down because he lacks instincts in that phase and has a heck of a time staying within the vicinity of quick-footed opponents. He reminds us of recent first-rounder Jordyn Brooks, another tackling machine who can be an adventure in coverage.

Wisconsin has had a lot of players show out during the school’s pro day, including Chenal (6'2/250). According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, Chenal had 34 reps of 225 there. That would have landed atop all participants at the combine.

It’s been a crazy showing of athleticism today, with the LBs and DLs going off. Chenal (6'2"/250) is yet another example, and that level of explosion at that size is frightening. Some outlets have Chenal going in the first round based of his great year, totaling 115 tackles (18.5 for loss) and eight sacks in 2021. Combine that with a great showing at the athletic testing and things are looking very good for Chenal.

A name not normally seen in the first round of mock drafts, Renner has Chenal (6'2/250) going to the Patriots. Renner described the selection “Chenal isn’t for everyone’s scheme, but any of Belichick’s disciples will love the skill set he brings to the table. The Wisconsin product has the block-beating ability and football IQ to seamlessly replace Donta’ Hightower.” Chenal’s versatile skillset and high grades in both run defense (1st among linebackers per PFF) and pass coverage (2nd) should translate early and often in Belichick’s scheme.

The catalyst of the Badgers defense is heading to the NFL. Chenal (6'2/255) earned second-team All-American honors for the Badgers this year. He missed the first two games due to COVID-19 and still amassed 115 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, which ranked second on the team. Chenal can do a little bit of everything but projects best as a three-down linebacker at the next level.

Chenal (6'2/250) was an absolute man amongst boys, and he single-handedly helped the Badgers turn the tide in this game. He registered a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, and he forced a fumble on that sack at the Army 1, giving Wisconsin a super short field. QB Graham Mertz took advantage, going for the 1-yard plunge to give Wisconsin a 20-7 lead with 2:43 to go. Chenal has 30 total stops across three games. He’ll try to keep up the good work at Purdue next Saturday.

Chenal will miss the opener against Penn State and the Week 2 matchup against Central Michigan. “To all my friends and family, I have tested positive for Covid and will miss the next 2 games,” Chenal posted to Instagram. “That aside, I am excited to see the boys kill it today.” Chenal was an All-Big Ten honorable mention performer last year.

Chenal has missed the last two games with the undisclosed injury. The freshman linebacker has been a playmaker in his limited time with the Badgers, and it sounds like he’s going to be able to go against the tough Ohio State offense on Saturday.

Chenal (6'2/250) has not appeared in a game since Wisconsin’s Oct. 5 win over Kent State, a game in which he accounted for three tackles and a sack. Since then the freshman has missed games against Michigan State and Illinois, the second being a game that the Badgers lost in surprising fashion this past weekend. On the season Chenal has accounted for 12 total tackles and a sack. And since he’s only appeared in four games, Wisconsin still has the option of redshirting the freshman linebacker.

Chenal (6'2"/250), who was listed as questionable ahead of Wisconsin’s October 5 win over Kent State but managed to play in that game, was held out of Saturday’s win over Michigan State due to the injury. We’ll have to wait and see if the freshman linebacker is able to play at all against the Fighting Illini.