It is not ill conceived that a season where UW was ranked in the top 10 of most major polls to start the year, but finished with four losses after failing to live up to high expectations, is followed with a tumultuous offseason.
A bevy of coaching turnovers has seen offensive line coach Bob Palcic bolt for UCLA and defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz join forces with Northwestern, after head coach Bret Bielema decided to relieve him of his duties.
However, it might have been Jack Ikegwuonu's decision to skip his senior year and declare himself eligible for the NFL draft that was most shocking, especially following a 21-17 loss to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.
It sucks to go out on a losing note and that will be weighing heavily on my mind,"" Ikegwuonu said shortly following the final game of the season regarding his future.
Ikegwuonu, a red-shirt junior, was arguably the best defensive player on the UW roster and expected by many to return to the team next season.
Struggles off the field stemming from a burglary incident in Illinois and a personal roller coaster on the field ensued for Ikegwuonu, leaving many to ponder if leaving for the NFL was indeed the best decision for the two-time first-team all Big Ten performer.
""I'll probably look at my personal play and see where I can improve,"" the junior claimed before he made his decision. ""If I have a lot of room for improvement then I will definitely come back.""
At times Ikegwuonu would live up to his ability and shut down some of the Big Ten's and nation's top receivers, as he did against Indiana's James Hardy and Michigan's Mario Manningham. Perhaps it was those shut down performances that influenced his final decision to pass on his final year of eligibility.
But there were other performances that were the exact opposite for the UW standout corner. Minnesota sophomore wide-out Eric Decker finished the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe with 125 yards receiving, most of which came with Ikegwuonu lining up on the other side of the ball. Still, ESPN's draft expert Todd McShay has Ikegwuonu projected as a second or third round pick.
As an NFL prospect, Ikegwuonu will have the chance to shoot up the draft board as late April approaches by having strong showings in the NFL combine and individual workouts. Many scouts see the former Badger playing safety or corner in the NFL. If Ikegwuonu has a strong 40-yard dash and displays good football instincts at the combine, the potential to raise his draft stock could become a reality.
The Madison native tallied 16 solo tackles this season and successfully deflected eight pass attempts while hauling in one interception. Though statistically his worst season, it could have been a case of other teams respecting his abilities and their decisions to stay away from him.
In 2006, perhaps the cornerback's most complete season, he amassed 35 solo tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown and 13 pass deflections. His ability to chase down Arkansas' coveted running back Darren McFadden in the 2007 Capital One Bowl may have been one of his signature career highlights.
In total, Ikegwuonu finished his UW career with 74 solo tackles, six interceptions and 27 pass break-ups, nonetheless leaving an empty void for next season that will be tough to fill.
The void will be filled by junior Allen Langford and freshman Aaron Henry, who both suffered ACL injuries this season. In turn, with such devastating injuries it remains questionable how capable those two projected starters will be when fall camp begins.
