Edwards knows about foe
W. Michigan lost his commitment
Arlington, Texas — Imagine linebacker T.J. Edwards making plays from sideline to sideline on Monday in the 2017 Cotton Bowl.
Now imagine Edwards doing so while adorned in the colors of Western Michigan University.
“I had the sweatshirt, the sweatpants ... all that stuff for a year,” the redshirt sophomore said.
Edwards, in position to lead Wisconsin in tackling for the second consecutive season, committed to Western Michigan before he received an offer from UW.
Knowing next to nothing about UW’s program, Edwards committed to Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck in June 2013, before his senior season at Lakes Community High School in Illinois.
UW evaluated Edwards, who played quarterback, that fall. The primary recruiter was Jeff Genyk.
“Back in the day I knew about Illinois,” Edwards said. “Never really thought about Wisconsin.
“But as soon as they showed interest, it was like a light bulb went on.”
Calling Fleck to break the news that he planned to sign with UW wasn’t easy.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” he said, “just because at that age I’ve never been put in that situation. It was a hard phone call because you build relationships with people and then you decide to go somewhere else for what you think is best for your future.”
Edwards’ change of heart has worked out well for UW.
His home when he arrived at UW in the summer of 2014 was inside linebacker. Edwards redshirted as a freshman and started all 13 games last season. He led the team in tackles with 84 and was a key member on a unit that helped UW finish 10-3.
Edwards missed the 2016 opener because he still wasn’t fully recovered from a broken foot suffered in summer workouts but enters the Cotton Bowl No. 1 on the team in tackles with 79.
“T.J. missed some valuable time in summer and fall camp, which you never can get back,” UW defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said. “Really played himself into game shape. T.J. is playing his best football toward the end of the season, which is not surprising.”
Playing through pain: Junior cornerback Derrick Tindal was given two options when he had surgery on his broken right wrist during UW’s bye week in October.
He was told by the doctor he could wear a hard cast and miss about six games or wear a softer splint and continue to play — in pain.
“He said it was optional,” Tindal said. “They preferred the cast. I said I wanted to play.”
Tindal broke the wrist during practice in preparation for the Big Ten opener at Michigan State, though he thought it was just a bad sprain.
He played against the Spartans and then the next week at Michigan. Tindal was beaten for the game-winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter at Michigan, in part because the injury prevented him from jamming his receiver.
“During the Michigan game I couldn’t battle the pain,” Tindal said. “I woke up the next day in tears. I was hurting.”
Tindal, second on the team in interceptions (three) and passes broken up (11), is almost painfree.
“There is still a little bit of pain but it is bearable,” he said.
Chryst remains mum: UW coach Paul Chryst reiterated Saturday he isn’t going to announce whether Alex Hornibrook or Bart Houston will start at quarterback in the bowl game.
Logic and Chryst’s history indicates he will go with Hornibrook and use both players.
UW won six consecutive games with Hornibrook starting and Houston coming in for several series to give opponents a different look.
Hornibrook completed 50 of 83 passes (60.2%) for 563 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, in the six games. Houston completed 25 of 37 passes (67.6%) for 385 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, during that run.
Houston had to go the distance in the Big Ten title game because Hornibrook was still recovering from a concussion suffered in the regular-season finale but both players are ready for the bowl game.
Surgery soon for Deal: Redshirt sophomore tailback Taiwan Deal, limited to five games this season because of ankle issues, is scheduled to undergo offseason surgery and miss spring ball.
Deal has carried 30 times for 155 yards this season.
“Getting it fixed should give him a lot more confidence that he can play without worrying about every time he gets hit that thing popping out,” running backs coach John Settle said. “We want to get it done for his psyche so he will be able to cut it loose and play.”