In the words of ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker and current Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal is “an up-and-coming star.”

He was reacting to Chenal’s overall dominance against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL season opener on Thursday night.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger who will be added to the NFL’s 53-man roster for the 2024 regular season

Chenal finished the game with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass deflections. He was an X-factor for the Chiefs defense as it tried to corral Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Although the linebacker recorded no sacks or turnovers, he had a visible impact on nearly every snap.

Many viewers on X who watched Thursday’s game said Chenal was “everywhere.”

Leo Chenal is a star in development for @bosses

– Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) 6 September 2024

It will be lost over time, but:

Check out this pass rush from Leo Chenal lol https://t.co/aybCisn3wu

— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) 6 September 2024

#bosses HC Andy Reid: “Leo Chenal was everywhere. He was scouting the quarterback, and that’s a challenge in itself. He’s a really good player. He moves well.”

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) 6 September 2024

Leo Chenal was everywhere

— Daniel Harms🏈 (@InHarmsWay19) 6 September 2024

Chenal has had an impressive start to his professional career. In his two years in the NFL, he has already won two Super Bowl titles, the latter of which he played a key role in winning. The Chiefs appear to have found a gem after selecting him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. While NFL fans may be surprised by his rapid rise, Wisconsin fans could have seen this coming.

Wisconsin’s record-breaking 2021 defense currently features six of 11 starters playing in the NFL: DL Keeanu Benton, DL Matt Henningsen (practice squad), OLB Nick Herbig, LB Leo Chenal, LB Jack Sanborn and CB Faion Hicks (practice squad).

Not surprisingly, its leaders Chenal and Sanborn are both well on their way to being among the NFL’s best at their respective positions.

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