Deiter and Benzschawel want to make informed decisions about their NFL futures

MADISON – Redshirt sophomore David Edwards was stunned the first time someone asked whether he planned to enter the 2018 National Football League draft or would return to Wisconsin.

The NFL wasn’t then and isn’t now on Edwards’ radar.

“I haven’t thought much about it,” Edwards, who has 20 starts at right tackle, said after practice Saturday. “It’s never been an issue with me.”

Edwards accomplished all three of his individual goals for 2017. He won the starting job at right tackle, garnered all-Big Ten honors and, most important, was admitted to the UW's School of Business. 

Edwards can now focus on helping No. 6 UW (12-1) defeat No. 11 Miami (10-2) in the Orange Bowl.

Redshirt junior Beau Benzschawel, who has started 29 consecutive games at right guard, is in the process of gathering feedback from NFL teams, and so far the grades have been solid but unspectacular.

“Just good,” Benzschawel said Saturday. “It is all up in the air.

"Obviously, I have a lot to get better at here. But someone else could see my film and think something totally different – like, you’re good to go.”

So far, that hasn’t happened and Benzschawel doesn’t plan to enter the ’18 draft unless he is projected to be taken in the early rounds.

Redshirt junior Michael Deiter has started all 13 games at left tackle this season after starting a combined 16 at center and 11 at left guard in his first two seasons. He is open to returning to UW for his fifth season or turning pro. 

“All I am doing right now is getting all the information from everywhere that I can,” he said, “and just evaluating it and we’ll make a decision eventually.”

His case is more complex, however. Deiter understands he will be asked to play center or guard in the NFL. He moved to left tackle this season to help UW get its five best linemen on the field.

If redshirt freshman Cole Van Lanen continues to develop, he could take over at left tackle in 2018 and Deiter could move back to left guard or center. 

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2018 NFL draft is Jan. 15.

“If you would say what is best for me in terms of money and playing at the next level it would be to play inside,” Deiter said. “Because that is what you’re going to play. 

“To be two years away from playing the position you would play in the pros would definitely be weird.

“If I come back and play here, that is awesome. I love it here. If I leave ... the best thing you can do is get a ton of information and go over every scenario. 

“Then any decision I make will be a good one.”

All three linemen garnered All-American honors in 2017. 

Edwards was named to the American Football Coaches Association first team, was a second-team pick by the Football Writers Association of America and Walter Camp and a third-team pick by The Associated Press. 

Benzschawel was a third-team pick by AP and Deiter was a second-team pick by The Sporting News. 

"I think they’ve been really important to this team, certainly to the offense," head coach Paul Chryst said. "They put the work in and I think this year there’s a lot of guys getting awards. And in my opinion, deservedly so. 

"But I think they come because of the success the team has, too. On their own, they have done a ton to work and improve and be the best player they can be. And that has helped our team. And I think the team has helped them as well.

"They’ve been good and I think they call can still get better." 

Joe Rudolph, UW’s offensive coordinator/line coach, echoed the thoughts of Chryst on the best way for the players to make their decision.

“I think the biggest thing is that you try to gather all the info that you can,” Rudolph said. “And then there’s that combination of what the opinion is and where you’re at from the standpoint of being ready.

“I think you weigh those two factors and try to make the best decision you can.”