Perfect partner for UW offensive linemen
MADISON – Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz has a personal clothing line and a deal with a sports memorabilia company.
Safety Collin Wilder has a line of personalized T-shirts.
Nice opportunities that became possible after the NCAA finally allowed college athletes to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
Yet does anyone on the UW roster have a more fitting arrangement than the members of the offensive line?
“I've never seen a group of men eat that much in my entire life,” UW senior tight end Jake Ferguson said.
UW's offensive linemen will be eating all the barbecue they want this season thanks to their partnership with Mission BBQ, announced last month.
“We get some meals here and there,” senior left tackle Tyler Beach said, “and we go and clean ‘em out.
“They're really nice there. It has been fun.”
Right tackle Logan Bruss added: “It is a good opportunity for the guys to go out and do something together. I think it will help the O-line chemistry even more.”
There are four Mission BBQ restaurants in Wisconsin, including one on the east side of Madison. The first Mission BBQ opened on Sept. 11, 2011.
The founders of Mission BBQ started the business to honor members of the military, firefighters, police officers and
people
over first responders.
“I never really anticipated being a big guy and being up front,” said reserve center Kayden Lyles, who carries 312 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame. “We never really get that much credit unless someone is looking at us, unless it is a coach.
“So having a company like that come and say: ‘You guys are the guys up front. You guys protect . ... It is really cool to see that appreciation come through.
“I appreciate that they've done it but I don't know how they're going to maintain it because we do eat a lot of food. I think they're starting to realize that. We all can put down a lot of food.”
Ferguson has made the mistake of visiting the humble abode of some of the linemen after feeding time.
“I walked into their house one time and they had Domino's boxes — and they're all empty — on their kitchen table,” he said. “They were all laying back, rubbing their bellies.”
Ah, the carnage.
“It's cheap and easy,” Beach said of the pizza parties.
According to several players, they've been benefitting from an unofficial partnership with the mother of reserve lineman Blake Smithback.
"His mom is quite the baker," Bruss said, "and we usually get the benefit because he is always bringing stuff back to the house."
No barbecue but plenty of Rice Krispies treats.
“She makes them with peanut butter and chocolate,” Ferguson said. “I'd be like 400 pounds if I lived with them.”
Does offensive line coach Joe Rudolph get a piece of the, um, action?
"I hope so," he said, smiling. "I'm going to put that on them."
Even Wilder wouldn't mind joining the offensive linemen — to eat.
"I would love to get some barbecue," he said. "The shirts are nice, don't get me wrong. But the barbecue sounds (better)."