Entering the 2008 season, it seemed obvious the Wisconsin football team would have a solid linebacking corp., led by senior outside linebackers DeAndre Levy and Jonathan Casillas. The two bring experience and leadership to the position that few can match and none can surpass.
However, Casillas has not played up to this point due to a knee injury, and Levy has only been able to make a small contribution, as it is harder for the outside linebacker to make plays when the ball is not ran to his side - especially against spread offense, which the Badgers have faced the first two weeks of the season against Akron and Marshall.
Enter Jaevery McFadden, the junior middle linebacker who earned the starting job during spring practice and the fall training camp, surpassing classmate Elijah Hodge.
After two games, McFadden leads the team in tackles with 20, along with one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry and one tackle for a loss.
I knew [McFadden] would be productive,"" UW head coach Bret Bielema said. ""He is active and he is fast which allows him to make a lot of plays.""
""To be honest with you, I didn't think I would get off to this quick of a start, but I can't complain,"" McFadden said. ""I just try to go with the flow.""
The Riviera Beach, Fla., native's rise through the program has been subtle, but effective. As a senior in high school - playing tight end and linebacker - McFadden caught 25 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns during a hurricane-shortened season, along with 64 tackles on defense - including eight sacks and 18 tackles for a loss.
After redshirting his first season, McFadden saw most of his playing time on special teams as a redshirt freshman, registering 10 total tackles and one fumble caused.
As a sophomore, he saw more playing time at outside linebacker, playing in 10 games, totaling 13 tackles, including one tackle for a loss.
This year has been different for McFadden.
After winning the starting job over Hodge, few people knew what to expect from McFadden in the middle. Having played most of his career at outside linebacker, the move to the inside might cause worry to some, but for McFadden, the transition has been relatively smooth.
""For me, personally, I think playing the middle is easier [than playing outside linebacker]. With the middle it is more mental, you have to get the defense ready, get them lined up, and if the offense shifts to another formation, you have to get them in a different call and stuff like that,"" McFadden said. ""It is more mental than physical. I think it is easier to play but it is a lot more mental.""
McFadden has quickly made his presence felt, and was on a tear against Marshall last Saturday. He kept Marshall's quarterbacks on their heels all game with timely blitzes, forcing the Thundering Herd to make poor throws and bad decisions.
""We had a blitz and he came on three times during the game, and we just got lucky that each time he came we were unblocked,"" defensive coordinator Dave Doeren said. ""But when we do bring the backs we want them to be able to create something.
For his performance against Marshall, McFadden was named Defensive MVP. But for him, all of the accolades mean nothing unless he has the confidence of his teammates, something that he is starting to acquire.
""I think the defense, especially the d-line, is believing in me right now. They are believing my calls and listening to the commands I am making right now out there on the field. Slowly but surely, I am transitioning to that role as a leader on defense.
