Vince Biegel

Vincent James Biegel ( ; born July 2, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life Biegel's father, Rocky, was a linebacker for BYU from 1988–92 and a second-team All-Western Athletic Conference player in 1990. His uncle, T.D., played fullback alongside his father for BYU from 1989–93. His grandfather, Ken Biegel, played linebacker and offensive guard for the division III UW–Eau Claire Blugolds. His younger brother, Hayden Biegel, played offensive tackle at UW-Madison.

Named after the legendary Packers' coach Vince Lombardi, Vince grew up on a cranberry marsh near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, that was originally established by his mother's ancestors in 1919; he, his brother, and his sister are the fifth generation of the family to have worked the farm. He regularly worked on the marsh while growing up, although his football development eventually limited his farm work.

Biegel's senior year he recorded 172 tackles, 21 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. He was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Year, 2011 Gatorade State Player of the Year in Wisconsin as well as being a member of the 2011 USA Today All-USA high school football team.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by four major recruiting services; Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports.com. Biegel committed to Wisconsin his junior year of high school, on April 23, 2011. He chose Wisconsin over scholarship offers from BYU, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Tennessee, among others. Biegel's final decision came down to Wisconsin and BYU; in a 2016 interview for ESPN, he elaborated on his choice of Wisconsin:

College career

Biegel attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he played outside linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2012 through 2016.

2012 Biegel played in two games his freshman year and didn't record any statistics, he injured his foot and received a medical redshirt.

2013 Biegel played in 13 games and started two of them in 2013. He recorded 25 total tackles, three tackles-for-loss and two sacks.

2014 The 2014 season saw the Badgers replace all 4 starting linebackers from 2013. Joe Schobert and Biegel replaced the starting outside linebackers while Derek Landisch and Marcus Trotter replaced the starting inside linebackers. Schobert and Biegel were described by Trotter as exact opposites, he described Biegel as "a hamster on a wheel, man. He's just always running." while he said "Schobert is the exact opposite. He's very calm all the time." Biegel started 13 of 14 games in 2014.

Biegel had a breakout game against Purdue in 2014 when he recorded seven tackles, three sacks, four tackles-for-loss and one pass defensed. He was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

For the season, Biegel recorded 56 total tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks. He was named 2nd-team All-Big Ten by the media.

2015 2015 saw the Badgers replace the starting inside linebackers again while Schobert and Biegel started opposite one another again. Biegel was named to numerous preseason award watchlists, notably Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award. Biegel started all 13 games in 2015.

Following the end of the regular seasons Biegel was named third-team All-Big Ten by coaches and media. During an interview Biegel was asked what he thought of Schobert's comment on Biegel deserving more recognition, Biegel said "being named third-team all-Big Ten is a flat-out slap in the face to me."

Following the Badgers win over USC in the Holiday Bowl Biegel announced he would return for the 2016 season instead of declaring for the 2016 NFL draft. Biegel had requested an evaluation by the NFL Draft Advisory Board and they projected him to be drafted between the 3rd and 6th rounds should he enter the 2016 draft.

For the season Biegel recorded 66 total tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and 8 sacks. He was third on the team in tackles behind fellow linebackers T. J. Edwards (84) and Joe Schobert (79), second behind Schobert in both tackles-for-loss (19.5) and sacks (9.5).

2016 Prior to the start of the season Biegel was named to the preseason watchlist for the Bednarik Award. Biegel was named by Pro Football Focus as the number one rated returning outside linebacker in both pass rushing and defending the run. On November 29, 2016, Biegel was named Second-team All-Big Ten.

College statistics Year Team GP Solo Ast Total TFL TFLyds Sack INT PD FF FR 2012 Wisconsin 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2013 Wisconsin 13 19 6 25 3.0 14 2.0 0 2 0 0 2014 Wisconsin 14 38 18 56 16.5 67 7.5 0 2 2 2 2015 Wisconsin 13 31 35 66 14.0 81 8.0 0 0 0 0 2016 Wisconsin 12 29 15 44 6.0 16 3.0 0 1 1 0 College totals 54 117 74 191 39.5 175 20.5 0 5 3 2

Professional career

Green Bay Packers Biegel was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round, 108th overall, in the 2017 NFL draft. On May 15, 2017, Biegel suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his foot. He signed his rookie contract on May 31, 2017. On September 2, 2017, Biegel was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He was activated off PUP to the active roster on November 3, 2017.

On September 1, 2018, Biegel was waived by the Packers.

New Orleans Saints On September 2, 2018, Biegel was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. He was promoted to the active roster on September 21, 2018.

Miami Dolphins On September 1, 2019, Biegel was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso in a salary swap. In week 15 against the New York Giants, Biegel recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Eli Manning during the 36–20 loss.

Biegel signed his tender for a one-year contract with the Dolphins on April 6, 2020. On August 18, 2020, Biegel suffered a torn Achilles and was ruled out for the 2020 season. He was placed on injured reserve the next day.

Biegel signed a contract extension with the Dolphins on March 16, 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on August 28, 2021. He was released on September 7. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 19. He was promoted to the active roster on November 24, 2021.

Baltimore Ravens On May 16, 2022, Biegel signed with the Baltimore Ravens. On August 4, after a reportedly strong training camp effort that saw Biegel expected to make Baltimore’s final roster, coach John Harbaugh announced Biegel had suffered a season-ending Achilles injury while practicing. He was placed on injured reserve on August 8, 2022.

NFL career statistics

Awards and honors College Third-team All-Big Ten (2015) 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (media) (2014, 2016) Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (2014) Academic All-Big Ten (2013, 2014) William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist (2016)

High School USA Today High School All-American (2011) Wisconsin's Gatorade Player of the Year (2011) WFCA Defensive Player of the Year (2011)