Wisconsin defensive tackle Wendell Bryant doesn't play the numbers game.

Last season, he didn't finish among the Big Ten leaders in sacks or tackles for loss. In fact, his numbers were so modest -- six sacks and 11 tackles for loss -- a media panel voting on all-conference players left Bryant off the first team.

Leave it to the Big Ten coaches to read between the lines (offensive and defensive) and rectify the omission by not only naming Bryant to their all-conference first team, but by selecting him as the co-defensive linemen of the year along with Minnesota's Karon Riley.

"Wendell's physical abilities are unnatural, uncommon," said UW coach Barry Alvarez.

"There aren't many 6-5, 300-pounders who run like he does. Or have the quickness, the enthusiasm or the passion for the game that he has."

Bryant's perseverance is also noteworthy given the number of double-team blocks that he must beat inside.

"It's frustrating at times, but you've got to keep fighting through it," said Bryant, a senior from St. Louis. "If you're a true pass rusher, you have to keep going until the whistle blows."

The Badgers plan on moving Bryant around a little bit more this season to dictate better matchups. Sometimes, he'll be inside. Sometimes, he'll be on the edge.

"Basically, I don't think any one person can block me and that's the mentality that I have to have," said Bryant, a preseason Lindy's/SportsLine.com All-American.

"You always want to get more tackles, and make more plays. But we don't put as much emphasis on getting sacks as we do getting pressure on the quarterback and disrupting his throws."

Ever the realist, Bryant added, "Everybody knows that if you want to get to the big time, sacks count. The bottom line is that no matter how good of a player you are, no matter how good your techniques are, your (NFL) stock is going to drop and people are going to start looking at you differently.

"But as long as I keep disrupting things in the backfield, I feel people will look at me as being a good player."

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