Former Wisconsin football and current Philadelphia Eagles star linebacker Zack Baun earned the No. 26 spot in the NFL’s top 100 ranking ahead of the 2025 season on Wednesday.
Baun becomes the second former Badger to earn a position on the prestigious hierarchy, joining Minnesota Vikings defensive lynchpin Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 88). He is the sixth current Eagle to crack the 100-player list alongside wide receiver A.J. Brown (No. 29), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (No. 43), cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (No. 49), cornerback Cooper DeJean (No. 60) and offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (No. 69).
Sandwiched between Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (No. 25) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 27), Baun is also one of 11 linebackers to see his name appear on the preseason ranking.
The NFL top 100 marks another milestone for Baun following his superstar output during the 2024 season. The Wisconsin native notched 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception in 16 starts during the regular season, enough to make him a finalist for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award alongside T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Patrick Surtain II (winner).
The Bald Eagle’s first time hitting the Top 100 pic.twitter.com/7FmMblgBK3
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 20, 2025
The former Badger was also named a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler en route to Philadelphia’s historic playoff run, which ended with a 40-22 triumph over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 this February. In four postseason games, Baun registered 33 total tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
In March, the blossoming star agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract extension to remain in Philadelphia and captain the linebacker room.
Baun will look to build off his remarkable 2024 campaign with another deep postseason run this winter. That journey will begin with a tilt against a division foe – the Dallas Cowboys – on Sept. 4 at Lincoln Financial Field.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football linebacker Zack Baun NFL top 100 ranking