Overview
OverviewThe long road to the National Football League continues to get longer for Ikegwuonu. More than a year after Jack and his twin brother, William, were arrested on residential burglary and criminal trespass charges, the two are still battling through the legal system to attain a resolution to their cases. The Badger cornerback had a subpar 2007 campaign on the football field that was the result of inconsistent play, legal distractions and injuries.
He later surprised the Wisconsin football staff by making the decision to leave school and apply for the NFL Draft. Once touted as the best cornerback in the college ranks, he saw his potential first-round projection continue to slide throughout his final year in Madison.
Now, further clouding his professional future is a serious right knee injury he suffered working out while preparing for the NFL Combine. Ikegwuonu tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee during workouts in late January. Doctors indicate he will be forced to miss the entire 2008 season.
According to reports, Ikegwuonu also suffered damage to his kneecap. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Ikegwuonu was pulling a sled in a drill designed to improve his speed when the injury occurred. He exploded out of a start and planted his leg when the knee gave way.
Ikegwuonu needed a strong performance at the NFL Combine, as well as in individual workouts, to ensure he would be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. "I blame the agent for telling him to come out, when we told him to stay in," one NFL scout said.
A local product, Ikegwuonu was a first-team All-State selection by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Associated Press as a split end at Memorial High School. He added All-State honors as a defensive back by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. He was also an All-Midwest Region selection by Prep Star, adding All-Area accolades and Big Eight Conference Wide Receiver and Defensive Back of the Year honors in 2003.
As a senior, Ikegwuonu caught 38 passes for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, while making 40 solo tackles and intercepting nine passes on defense. An All-Conference return specialist as a junior, he was a two-time team MVP. He also lettered in basketball and baseball and was an All-area and All-Conference centerfielder. He was also a member of the school's academic honor roll as a junior.
Ikegwuonu enrolled at Wisconsin in 2004, spending the season red-shirting as his brother enrolled at Northern Illinois. The following season, he shared left cornerback duties with Allen Langford, starting four of 13 contests. He earned Freshman All-American honorable mention, as he produced 26 tackles (23 solos) with two stops for losses and three pass deflections. He also returned one of three interceptions for a touchdown.
As a sophomore, Ikegwuonu was an All-American honorable mention and All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice. He switched to right cornerback, starting every game while also changing to jersey #6 from #27. He was suspended in December after his arrest, but quickly reinstated before the Citrus Bowl. He registered 41 tackles (35 solos) with 3.5 stops for losses, as he caused a fumble and recovered another for a touchdown. He broke up 11 passes and picked off two others.
Despite an inconsistent 2007 season, Ikegwuonu earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference status. He started 13 games at right cornerback, but missed most of The Citadel clash with an upper thigh bruise and most of the Michigan State contests with flu-like symptoms and a migraine headache. He finished his final season with just 24 tackles (19 solos), an interception and 15 pass break-ups.
In 39 games at Wisconsin, Ikegwuonu started 30 times -- 26 at right cornerback, three at left cornerback and one at nickel back. He finished with 91 tackles (77 solos), 5.5 stops for losses of 20 yards and a forced fumble. He returned a fumble recovery 50 yards for a score and gained 89 yards with a touchdown on six interception returns. He also deflected 29 passes.
Career Notes
Ikegwuonu's 15 pass deflections in 2007 rank eighth on the school's single-season record list, topped by Mike Echols (25 in 2000), Jim Leonhard (25 in 2002), Jamar Fletcher (21 in 2000, 19 in 1998, 17 in 1999), Scott Starks (19 in 2003) and LaMar Campbell (16 in 1996)...
His four pass break-ups vs. Michigan in 2007 rank behind Mike Echols (6 vs. Purdue, 1999), Steve Wagner (5 vs. Purdue, 1974), Fletcher (5 vs. Oregon, 2000 and 5 vs. Iowa, 2000) and Leonhard (5 vs. Fresno State, 2002 and 5 vs. Penn State, 2004) on Wisconsin's game-record chart.
High School
Attended Memorial (Madison, Wisc.) High School, playing football for head coach Gary Koplin...First-team All-State selection by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Associated Press as a split end...Added All-State honors as a defensive back by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association...All-Midwest Region selection by Prep Star, adding All-Area accolades and Big Eight Conference Wide Receiver and Defensive Back of the Year honors in 2003...As a senior, Ikegwuonu caught 38 passes for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, while making 40 solo tackles and intercepting nine passes on defense...An All-Conference return specialist as a junior, he was a two-time team MVP...Lettered in basketball and baseball and was an All-Area and All-Conference centerfielder...Member of the school's academic honor roll as a junior.
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