Last year's Wisconsin football team beat Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl and finished ranked No. 9 in both polls.

Several Badgers players kept building on that team's success and landed spots on NFL rosters this season.

Vince Biegel, linebacker, Green Bay Packers: The fourth-round pick hurt his foot in rookie minicamp and hasn't returned. He'll open the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Corey Clement, running back, Philadelphia Eagles: He went undrafted but earned his way onto the Eagles' 53-man roster by rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the exhibition season.

Dare Ogunbowale, running back, Houston Texans: The undrafted back impressed the Texans enough with his play in exhibition games (30 yards on 10 carries) and landed on the team's practice squad after clearing waivers.

Ryan Ramczyk, offensive tackle, New Orleans Saints: The first-round pick seems to be penciled in as the Saints' starting left tackle.

Sojourn Shelton, cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals: He played with the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason but opted to sign with the Bengals' practice squad after getting waived.

T.J. Watt, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers: The 30th pick was a breakout star of the exhibition games, racking up two sacks and getting the starting nod over veteran James Harrison.