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UPDATE, 3:40 pm: Turns out Schad just barely beat Wisconsin from announcing the move itself. UW just released the following statement:
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin junior center Travis Frederick has elected to forgo his final season of eligibility with the Badgers and make himself eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.
Frederick, who started all 14 games for the Badgers at center this season, explained his decision in a letter to his Badgers teammates, coaches, staff and fans.
That letter can be found here.
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Wisconsin center Travis Frederick will forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Joe Schad.
Earlier Friday afternoon, Schad tweeted Frederick's intention to dive into the pro waters and provided a brief scouting report.
Frederick, 6-feet-4, 338 pounds, was a first-team All-Big Ten offensive lineman. Frederick can play center and guard.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 4, 2013
Frederick could be a late first or early second round pick according to some projections
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 4, 2013
No surprise there, as the 6-foot-4, 338-pound Sharon, Wis. native started all 13 games at center this season. As Schad mentions, Frederick was a first-team all-conference selection by the media. He was also an honorable mention selection by the coaches.
Frederick's also highly regarded for his intelligence as the latest in the line of well-spoken Wisconsin linemen, following Peter Konz, John Moffitt, etc. As a computer engineering major, Frederick figures to have the degree to back that talk up.
Personally, I'm just glad his quitting after three steaks in this year's Lawry's Beef Bowl won't hurt Frederick's draft stock.