Vince Biegel

Early years and family

Biegel's father, Rocky, was a linebacker for BYU from 1988–92 and a second-team All-WAC 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, plays offensive tackle at UW-Madison.

Biegel 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.

High school career

Biegel's senior year he recorded 1722 tackles, 2111 sacks, 30 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.

Recruiting

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:

I felt that Wisconsin was the place where I needed to be. I knew if I went to BYU, I would be kind of another Mormon kid on campus. But if I went to Wisconsin, I could really be someone that could make a difference and show the person who I am and have the biggest impact.

He was one of 90 players across the nation selected to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl which was held on January 7, 2012, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

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 as former teammate Marcus 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 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 3rd-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 TFLs (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.