MADISON – If T.J. Edwards needs a role model/mentor as he tries to earn a job in the NFL, he can consult with former Wisconsin teammate Corey Clement.

Clement, who was not selected in the 2017 NFL draft despite rushing for more than 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns at UW, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He earned a spot in rotation and caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl LII to help the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots.

Edwards left UW with 367 tackles, the No. 9 mark in program history, and 10 interceptions, the No. 1 mark among UW linebackers. He led UW in tackles three times, including last season when he finished with 113.

After going undrafted, Edwards agreed to a free-agent deal with the Eagles on Saturday.

The Eagles last season finished second in the NFC East with a 9-7 mark and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs before falling to New Orleans, 20-14.

Edwards’ lack of speed was a concern for NFL scouts and Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz often uses nickel and dime packages. But considering the Eagles didn’t draft a linebacker, Edwards should get an opportunity to impress the coaches during the rookie mini-camp in May, as Clement did two years ago.

Edwards was one of eight UW players who were not drafted.

Guard Beau Benzschawel, a consensus first-team All-American as a senior last season, agreed to a free-agent deal with the Detroit Lions.

Tailbacks Taiwan Deal and Chris James received rookie mini-camp invitations with Washington and Chicago, respectively. Safety D’Cota Dixon reportedly has several mini-camp options, including with the San Francisco 49ers.

Northern Iowa defensive end Rickey Neal Jr. a graduate of Racine Horlick High School, received a mini-camp invite from the Minnesota Vikings.

Benzschawel started the last 49 consecutive games, including 43 at right guard. Former linemates Michael Deiter and David Edwards were selected in the third and fifth rounds, respectively.

Deiter was taken No. 78 overall by the Miami Dolphins; David Edwards was taken No. 169 overall by the Los Angeles Rams.

According to UW officials, a total of 20 UW offensive linemen have been drafted since 2000. That is the No. 1 mark in the nation.

UW coach Paul Chryst was asked during the final week of spring practice about the NFL prospects of Deiter, David Edwards and Benzschawel.

“The first thing you want them to do is step in and be ready to go, compete,” Chryst said. “Do I think they’re really good players and will be in the future? Absolutely.

"But they’ll have, like anybody, when you change levels, there’s going to be a learning curve. They’re ready for it, but they’ll have to go attack it.”