Teammates, coaches talk about return of Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal
Everyone around the Badgers program is ecstatic that linebacker Leo Chenal is back and frankly, why wouldn’t they be?
Chenal is one of the Badgers’ best players on defense and arguably the top linebacker on that unit. He had to miss the first 2 games of the season due to being in COVID protocol, but he’s been cleared to play starting this weekend against Notre Dame.
During Wisconsin’s media day, outside linebacker Nick Herbig, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and head coach Paul Chryst all spoke about Chenal’s impending return and how great it’ll be to have him back.
Herbig even said that Chenal looked like a freak in practice last week.
#Badgers OLB Nick Herbig was asked how ILB Leo Chenal looked in practice last week: “He was a freak. He was Leo Chenal.”
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 20, 2021
#Badgers DC Jim Leonhard says ILB Leo Chenal (COVID) returned to practice last week and is good to go.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 20, 2021
Paul Chryst expects Leo Chenal to be full-go against Notre Dame. Chenal missed the last two games after testing positive for COVID-19. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 20, 2021
#Badgers DE Matt Henningsen on return of ILB Leo Chenal: "Leopold is just a different presence when he is out there. He plays a million miles per hour every play. There is no doubt about that. He’ll fly around the field. He’ll be crazy when he is out there."
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 20, 2021
Chenal had a great 2020 season for Wisconsin as he finished with 40 total tackles (28 solo) with 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He can do it all as a linebacker and it’s crazy to think that the Badgers have only given up 23 points in 2 games without him.
His return couldn’t have come at a better time as the Badgers will play No. 12 Notre Dame on Saturday in Chicago at Noon ET.
