This weekend, the new year kicks off with two of Wisconsin’s renowned 2019 signees playing in one of the most prestigious prep all-star games.
Both five-star offensive lineman Logan Brown and four-star quarterback Graham Mertz will play in the 2019 All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex. (Noon CT, NBC).
Mertz will represent the East squad as one of its three quarterbacks, while Brown will look to help the West squad capture the win in the all-star extravaganza.
Practices started for the teams on Tuesday, but here are some highlights from Wednesday’s Day 2 action from both Mertz and Brown.
Graham Mertz
Rivals’ Josh Helmholdt praised Mertz on Day 1 as well, as seen in the video below.
@JoshHelmholdt breaks down the East squads QBs: Mertz, Howell and Tagovailoa after day one at the #AllAmericanBowl in San Antonio pic.twitter.com/mrMbMjSxYl
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 1, 2019
During Tuesday’s practice, 247Sports’ Charles Power ranked him as the No. 2 quarterback between both squads behind Oklahoma signee Spencer Rattler. On Wednesday, Power called him the No. 4 signal caller for that day’s action, but said “he’s put together a very solid two days of work.”
Great ball placement by #Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz today at practice No. 2 of the @19AllAmerican Bowl. Perfect throw in a tight window.https://t.co/bbCambO8Wm (@Evan_Flood)@GrahamMertz5 pic.twitter.com/OvMARfSVe6
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) January 2, 2019
Graham Mertz to Cornelius Johnson pic.twitter.com/GsU7wYSXJv
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) January 2, 2019
#Wisconsin commit Graham Mertz plans to be instant impact in Madison. Flashing nice potential at @19AllAmerican Bowl practice: https://t.co/S8pEo2S6Mq pic.twitter.com/ohBrwJUjVa
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2019
#Badgers QB signee Graham Mertz throwing at the @19AllAmerican Bowl: https://t.co/S8pEo2S6Mq pic.twitter.com/2W6pEyEFE6
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2019
Graham Mertz (Wisconsin) leads the East offense early morning in work @Evan_Flood https://t.co/QYmGA4wPfz pic.twitter.com/qqn8uDDDQq
— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) January 2, 2019
Logan Brown
During Day 1 of practices, 247Sports’ Barton Simmons called Brown one of the “Best of the Rest” from the West team. Here is what was tweeted on Day 2, including this impressive rep against Khris Bogle.
Logan Brown stops Khris Bogle pic.twitter.com/GKyMv68bLO
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) January 2, 2019
According to 247Sports composite rankings, Bogle hails as a four-star recruit, the No. 3 weak-side defensive end and No. 57 player overall in the nation. Rivals ranks him as the No. 50 player overall in the country in this class with a 6.0 rating.
Nation’s No. 1 recruit #Georgia bound Nolan Smith vs No. 1 OT Logan Brown headed to #Wisconsin: pic.twitter.com/LItfZF7c80
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2019
B5Q’s Owen Riese, himself a former college offensive linemen, gave his thoughts on the reps above.
I'd probably call this rep a tie but - two things:
— Owen Riese (@RieseDraft) January 2, 2019
1. Brown stops his feet for just a split second mid-spin, which allows Smith to get the edge
2. If Brown is just a step more patient, he wins this rep. Smith declares his move early, Brown's aggressiveness played into it. https://t.co/eq8RMQC4jN
Brown needs to keep his shoulders more square until longer into the set, but you can see the dancing bear potential here.
— Owen Riese (@RieseDraft) January 2, 2019
The real impressive part here is the anchor despite the DL nearly ripping his helmet off. https://t.co/19qOLgPp0L