Badger Bits: Wisconsin players catch a hammerhead, take in South Beach

While the rest of their state is in the midst of a deep cold spell, the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers are enjoying the warm weather down in south Florida.

For a few players Tuesday night, that also included catching a large shark off the coast.

Seriously.

Based on the photo above from Wisconsin football’s Twitter account, defensive linemen Chikwe Obasih and Garrett Rand, running back Taiwan Deal, and tight ends Troy Fumagalli and Kyle Penniston, along with quality control coach Matt Miller reeled in a 450-pound hammerhead shark in a deep-sea fishing expedition.

Here’s the Instagram video from Obasih of the Badgers bringing in the large “fish”:

Be sure to look at the video and the photos within the above embeds, especially the second photo detailing the length (8 feet!) and weight of the shark, which they named “Big Bug.”

As a former Floridan who’s gone shark fishing before, it is a pretty crazy feeling to bring in a large beast like that. Granted, it was when I was 16 and we were looking for 3-to-4-foot black tip sharks. For my troubles on that late spring evening off the Gulf Coast, I caught of all things a 50-pound sting ray, which was immediately cut off my line by my buddy’s stepdad before any further craziness ensued.

Badgers take over South Beach

To further remind all of us how warm Florida is right now compared to Wisconsin and a good chunk of the United States, the Badgers went to South Beach for some relaxation and fun in the sun.

That included jet skis, playing volleyball, and specialists working to get much-needed tans. Again, be sure to check out Wisconsin’s Instagram page for more pictures and stories.

Potential update on T.J. Edwards?

Thursday morning, a few reporters spoke with Edwards about the NFL Advisory Board grade the All-American inside linebacker received.

Links

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus looks at how No. 11 Miami is resurgent under Mark Richt.
• The Wisconsin State Journal’s Tom Oates says this New Year’s Six bowl is another chance for this Wisconsin program “to display resilience.”