A season of highs and lows entered its final chapter Tuesday night when Jim Leonhard announced he would be leaving the University of Wisconsin football program after the Badgers compete in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
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Current and former Wisconsin football players react to Jim Leonhard decision
Badgers legend JJ Watt
Forever a legend.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 7, 2022
🙏🏼
UW linebacker Nick Herbig
THE GREATEST BADGER OF ALL TIME!!!! ON AND OFF THE FIELD💯💯💯 https://t.co/xUEs8fwqji
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) December 7, 2022
Collin Wilder on Leonhard
I wouldn’t be the player or man I am without this man. Gratitude to him isn’t the word! Too much to say. THE GREATEST. https://t.co/odVfiEGYb4
— Collin Wilder (@WilderCollin) December 7, 2022
Former UW RB Jonathan Taylor
😞. Still my guy ! It's been a pleasure . https://t.co/rBeTmTCgl7
— Justin "JT" Taylor. (@__justintaylor) December 7, 2022
Current UW standout RB Braelon Allen
One of the best to ever do it ❤️ https://t.co/b9n29jDo8F
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) December 7, 2022
Former UW lineman Jake Wood
Thank you for everything, Jimmy! You deserve a great role in a great program. I wish it had been ours. https://t.co/EvxTaLQAdV
— Jake Wood (@JakeWoodTR) December 7, 2022
Current UW safety Hunter Wohler
Been a fun ride being w you coach. Gonna miss you but we got a fun few weeks left https://t.co/Apo7SKqwET
— Hunter Wohler (@HunterWohler) December 7, 2022
Current UW QB Myles Burkett
Jimmy Cooks 4L🤞🏽 https://t.co/uOOu6kR8yN
— Myles Burkett (@myles_burkett) December 7, 2022
Current UW D-lineman Curtis Neal
😞😣
— Curtis Neal (@CurtisNeal97) December 7, 2022
Former Badgers D-lineman Matt Henningsen
One of the brightest and greatest men in the game, and an inspiration to all underdogs out there. I wouldn’t be where I am without Coach Leonhard. Thank you 🐐 https://t.co/2tmFP0bWNV
— Matt Henningsen (@matthenningsen) December 7, 2022
Current UW safety Austin Brown
Forever will be grateful to have called you my coach! All luv🖤#OnWisconsin
— Austin Brown (@austintyler_25) December 7, 2022
Voice of the Badgers Matt Lepay
One of the greatest to ever do it here. https://t.co/WCjv1e9xaf
— Matt Lepay (@MattLepay) December 7, 2022
Current UW DB Justin Clark
Said it many times but I learned so much from this guy in such a short period of time. Really helped me expand my knowledge of the game. He’s that dude ! https://t.co/qLV7e72zM8
— Justin Clark (@jclark_24_) December 7, 2022
Current Badgers DE James Thompson Jr.
All love man ❤️❤️❤️
— James Thompson (@james_jr56) December 7, 2022
Former UW safety Scott Nelson
Best in the business! Blessed to be able to learn from you and play for you throughout college. The 🐐 without question! https://t.co/MUtmuoUg1l
— Scott Nelson (@_scottnelson) December 7, 2022
Current UW linebacker Jake Chaney
The greatest ❤️💯 https://t.co/qnvsmlxxZH
— Jake Chaney (@JakeChaney9) December 7, 2022
Badgers legend JJ Watt
Forever a legend.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 7, 2022
🙏🏼
UW linebacker Nick Herbig
THE GREATEST BADGER OF ALL TIME!!!! ON AND OFF THE FIELD💯💯💯 https://t.co/xUEs8fwqji
— Nick Herbig (@nickherbig_) December 7, 2022
Collin Wilder on Leonhard
I wouldn’t be the player or man I am without this man. Gratitude to him isn’t the word! Too much to say. THE GREATEST. https://t.co/odVfiEGYb4
— Collin Wilder (@WilderCollin) December 7, 2022
Badgers recruit Justin Taylor
😞. Still my guy ! It's been a pleasure . https://t.co/rBeTmTCgl7
— Justin "JT" Taylor. (@__justintaylor) December 7, 2022
Current UW standout RB Braelon Allen
One of the best to ever do it ❤️ https://t.co/b9n29jDo8F
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) December 7, 2022
Former UW lineman Jake Wood
Thank you for everything, Jimmy! You deserve a great role in a great program. I wish it had been ours. https://t.co/EvxTaLQAdV
— Jake Wood (@JakeWoodTR) December 7, 2022
Current UW safety Hunter Wohler
Been a fun ride being w you coach. Gonna miss you but we got a fun few weeks left https://t.co/Apo7SKqwET
— Hunter Wohler (@HunterWohler) December 7, 2022
Current UW DB Justin Clark
Said it many times but I learned so much from this guy in such a short period of time. Really helped me expand my knowledge of the game. He’s that dude ! https://t.co/qLV7e72zM8
— Justin Clark (@jclark_24_) December 7, 2022
Current UW QB Myles Burkett
Jimmy Cooks 4L🤞🏽 https://t.co/uOOu6kR8yN
— Myles Burkett (@myles_burkett) December 7, 2022
Current UW D-lineman Curtis Neal
😞😣
— Curtis Neal (@CurtisNeal97) December 7, 2022
Former Badgers D-lineman Matt Henningsen
One of the brightest and greatest men in the game, and an inspiration to all underdogs out there. I wouldn’t be where I am without Coach Leonhard. Thank you 🐐 https://t.co/2tmFP0bWNV
— Matt Henningsen (@matthenningsen) December 7, 2022
Current UW safety Austin Brown
Forever will be grateful to have called you my coach! All luv🖤#OnWisconsin
— Austin Brown (@austintyler_25) December 7, 2022
Voice of the Badgers Matt Lepay
One of the greatest to ever do it here. https://t.co/WCjv1e9xaf
— Matt Lepay (@MattLepay) December 7, 2022
Current Badgers DE James Thompson Jr.
All love man ❤️❤️❤️
— James Thompson (@james_jr56) December 7, 2022
Former UW safety Scott Nelson
Best in the business! Blessed to be able to learn from you and play for you throughout college. The 🐐 without question! https://t.co/MUtmuoUg1l
— Scott Nelson (@_scottnelson) December 7, 2022
Current UW linebacker Jake Chaney
The greatest ❤️💯 https://t.co/qnvsmlxxZH
— Jake Chaney (@JakeChaney9) December 7, 2022

