Five former Badgers selected in NFL Draft

Five former Badgers heard their names called in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Linebacker Dez Southward was the first to go. The Atlanta Falcons selected the safety in the third round. Southward, a full-time starter in 2012-13, was medically excluded from participating in the NFL combine two months ago because of wrist and spine injuries.

Later in the third round, the San Francisco 49ers addressed a need at the linebacker spot by nabbing Chris Borland.

The Pats tabbed Wisconsin running back James White (5-9, 204) with their second fourth-round pick  (130th overall). White had 1,444 yards rushing and seven TDs for the Badgers last fall.

For the first time in Ted Thompson’s 10 years as general manager, he selected a Wisconsin product, drafting Badgers wide receiver/return specialist Jared Abbrederis with the 176th pick of the fifth round Saturday. The pick is a popular one for Wisconsin fans since Abbrederis grew up in Wautoma, less than 100 miles from Green Bay, and walked on to Wisconsin.

Finally, Philadelphia selected nose tackle Beau Allen in the seventh round.