Measureables: 6-2 5/8, 250. 31 arms. 4.53 40, 4.24 shuttle, 34 bench (and 40.5 vertical).
Analytical stats: Chenal was a first-team All-American and the Big Ten’s linebacker of the year in 2021. In 11 games, he stuffed the stat sheet with eight sacks, 18.5 TFLs, 115 total tackles and two forced fumbles. He didn’t break up any passes. According to PFF, he was No. 3 in the draft class with 63 stops and allowed a 90.9 percent completion rate and 107.6 passer rating. He had 16 percent of the team’s tackles, tied for the second-highest rate in the draft.
Personal touch: A native of Grantsburg, Wis., Chenal is one of 16 kids. Yes, 16. He has eight full siblings and seven step-siblings. “When I was a little kid, I was always trying to pick fights with them and stuff,” Chenal, 12th-oldest in a group that ranges from 12 to 39, told The Associated Press. “That’s where I think I got all my energy and all my passion—just being able to compete with brothers growing up, always being physical with them, starting fights and everything.”
One of those brothers is John, a fullback for the Badgers. “He was kind of the guy who would get everyone riled up, whether it’s good or bad,” John said. “He’d start talking and getting loud. The next thing you know, we’re fighting. He has a way of getting everyone amped up and ready to go.”
Their mom, Brenda, noted how they pushed each other in everything. “If I beat him, we have to go again,” John told UWBadgers.com. “If he beats me, we have to go again.” Added Leo: We’ll end up playing 10 rounds of ping pong because he can’t handle being beat.”
In his final high school game, he led Grantsburg to the state championship by rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns, adding 40 receiving yards and one touchdown, throwing one touchdown pass and tallying 22 tackles. “He’s got the toughness that I think the Badgers represent,” Grantsburg’s coach told The Athletic. “He’s got that intensity and that nonstop motor and work ethic. He’ll be a great fit that way. He’s a high-character kid. You think of the Badgers, you think about a program of integrity with that coaching staff. He just kind of fits that mold. He’s a blue-collar, Wisconsin kid that is ready to go out there and try to make a name for himself.”
NFL Draft Bible Scouting Report: Chenal boasts solid linear speed and closes downhill quickly. He often uses quickness to beat opponents at the point of contact. Against the run, Chenal displays patience, vision, and awareness to anticipate the play before identifying and following the ball carrier. While still raw in coverage, Chenal has the potential to grow into an all-around linebacker. He reads the quarterback’s eyes well in zone coverage; consequently, he jumps routes if the passer telegraphs. His physicality and movement skills may enable him to cover tight ends and running backs as he develops. Chenal complements clean tackling technique with a strong grip and impressive stopping power to produce a consistent product at the tackle point. The talented linebacker improved his angles from 2020 to 2021.
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