By Greg Bates
Correspondent
When Alec Ingold sat down, he underwent almost a surreal experience.
Across from him were a couple of Green Bay Packers scouts who were looking to talk to him about what he could bring as a player to the Packers.
Ingold met with all 32 NFL teams during the week of the Senior Bowl, but just one professional organization has a place close to his heart. Having grown up in Green Bay and attending Bay Port, Ingold has always dreamed of playing for the Packers. He could have his shot in just a few short months with the NFL Draft being at the end of April.
“That would be pretty amazing just staying home in Green Bay,” said Ingold, who played fullback at Wisconsin. “A lot of people ask me where I want to go and stuff and I say that’s always at the top of the list. I was pretty lucky to grow up a Packers fan and I had to thank (Oakland Raiders) head coach (Jon) Gruden for helping jumpstart the Packers’ organization right when I was born, so I don’t really know anything other than winning football in Green Bay. It’s been a blessing to grow up a fan of the game and just love it from a young age.”
Just over 100 of the top seniors in college football were invited to the annual Senior Bowl. Ingold was honored to be able to play for the North squad – which was coached by Gruden and his staff – practicing all week prior to the game in Mobile, Alabama, Jan. 26.
Ingold, who is 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, was one of just two fullbacks who participated in the Senior Bowl.
“It was a week of grinding,” Ingold said. “It was a good experience for me for sure. I feel very lucky to be invited to that.”
Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle thought his former pupil performed well during the game. Ingold had one carry for seven yards and one catch for 11 yards, but it was the more unnoticeable aspects of the game where he shined.
“I thought he put on tape some of the things that he has become known for – he was physical,” Settle said. “I think he plays the game with an edge and I think he was able to come out a little bit.”
Settle believes Ingold helped his draft stock by his performance at the Senior Bowl, but being a fullback isn’t always the most desirable position in the NFL.
“They always say it only takes one team to fall in love with you, and I think he had an opportunity to perform for all 32 teams,” Settle said. “I can remember two blocks that he was really dominant, and those plays should catch the attention of a lot of the GMs and scouts.”
Said Ingold: “I think throughout the week I showed coaches that I could take coaching and I could get better from practice one to practice three and then into the game. The game was fun. I think it was just a combination of just being able to have fun and go play and then also just showcase the hard work that we put in. Just being able to prove to coaches that I can learn the playbook, be coachable and then just give my best effort day in and day out.”
NFL teams that have a feature running back and are in need of a physical fullback expressed more interest in Ingold at the Senior Bowl. Ingold, who met with team representatives for about 15 minutes each, said organizations such as the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans asked him more offensive-specific questions, how he could diversify their offense and how well he could fit in their schemes.
“I think if there’s a team that doesn’t have a guy on the roster or a guy that’s aging, they should look at him,” Settle said. “The Giants, they’re trying to run the ball, and I think Carolina, they could use a guy like that. I think a lot of the NFC teams need a guy. I know Dallas has Ezekiel Elliott, and I think to get him going they need a fullback.”
Ingold is hoping he can fall into a similar situation like former Wisconsin fullback Derek Watt. The youngest of the Watt boys in the NFL, Derek was drafted in the sixth round in 2016 and helped fellow Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon up his game with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I think Derek was a prime example of everything a fullback wants to be,” Ingold said. “He’s just a great guy and being able to play football at such a high level is something that I definitely aspire to do. A guy like him makes it easier for me to kind of watch and learn how he went about his business and then try and emulate as much as he put into his game and kind of add it into mine.”
Ingold – who originally went to Wisconsin as a linebacker and switched to running back and then fullback as a freshman – had a great opportunity for two seasons to block for Jonathan Taylor. The Doak Walker winner this year amassed 2,194 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.
“Just being able to share the backfield with a guy like that is unbelievable,” said Ingold, who scored 21 touchdowns in his college career. “Pushing each other to be just the best we can, keeping each other accountable and helping him win his trophies and awards makes me feel surreal. I’d like to say I’m a part of JT’s stuff and also a little bit a part of that offensive line. That whole offensive run game, we take a lot of pride in how we put together a pretty good unit this year.”
With the Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, Ingold is now preparing for the NFL Combine, which runs Feb. 26-March 4, and Wisconsin’s Pro Day on March 13.
Ingold knows if he works hard and puts on solid performances at both events, he’ll have done everything he can. Then it’s up to the NFL teams to seal his fate.
“You pull for the underdog, so to speak, a guy that may not get a lot of attention,” Settle said. “You’re excited when you see them get that opportunity.”
Draft projections have Ingold going anywhere from a late-round pick to an undrafted free agent. Ingold isn’t worried where he lands, just as long as he gets a shot at his dream. “Wherever I get taken, wherever that situation falls – drafted, undrafted, wherever – just knowing you can kind of close the book on a lot of hard work and open a new one up for a whole other chapter in your life where you have to work hard and start all over again,” Ingold said. “It’s pretty exciting and exhilarating and there’s a lot of opportunity to grow. I’m really looking forward to finishing this chapter in my life and I’m ready to start that new one and just crush it.”