Jack Ikegwuonu
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[edit] Biography
Jack Ikegwuonu was born on January 7, 1986 in Madison, Wisconsin. He is currently the starting cornerback for the University of Wisconsin football team and ranked one of the best cornerbacks in the nation.
In high school at Madison Memorial, Ikegwuonu was an all-state selection at both split end and defensive back by catching 38 passes for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns while intercepting nine passes on defense.
After redshirting in 2004, Ikegwuonu was an honorable mention freshman All-American according to The Sporting News after leading the team with three interceptions, mostly as a backup cornerback.
In 2006, Ikegwuonu established himself as one of the top shutdown corners in the nation, despite intercepting just two passes all season. He was named an honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly, as well as first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second team all-conference by the media. He tied for third in the Big Ten with 13 passes defended.
He arguably made the biggest play of the season during the Capital One Bowl by bringing down University of Arkansas star running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden down from behind after McFadden burst into the open field on what would've been a sure touchdown. Arkansas came away with no points on the drive, and Wisconsin went on to defeat the Razorbacks, 17-14.
About a month before the Capital One Bowl, however, Ikegwuonu and his twin brother, Bill, a backup safety at Northern Illinois, were arrested in Dekalb, Ill. after allegedly broke into an apartment to steal an Xbox video game system.
Though he was named the fifth-best corner in the nation according to The Sporting News entering the 2007 season, Ikegwuonu's legal battle stemming from the arrest were blamed for being a distraction as he struggled through the year with only one interception as the Wisconsin defense looked nothing like it did the year before.
Still, Ikegwuonu is high on many draft boards across the nation, though it is unclear whether the junior will declare for the 2008 NFL Draft.
[edit] Scouting Report
In the mold of another cornerback in the state of Wisconsin (Al Harris of the Green Bay Packers), Ikegwuonu is not the kind of cornerback who will intercept a lot of passes. He is described as a physical, shutdown corner who will at the very least get a hand on the ball.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] College
at the University of Wisconsin:
| YEAR | UT | AT | Tot. | TFL-YDS | FF | FR | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 23 | 3 | 26 | 2.0-6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 2006 | 35 | 6 | 41 | 3.5-14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| 2007 | 19 | 4 | 23 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| TOTAL | 77 | 13 | 90 | 5.5-20 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 34 |
[edit] Transactions
[edit] Trivia
- Has a twin brother, Bill, who plays football for Northern Illinois University
- Was named first team all-state in high school on both offense (split end) and defense (defensive back)
[edit] Video Gallery
[edit] Picture Gallery
[edit] See Also
- UW Star facing burglary charges (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
