Badgers' Peter Konz to enter draft

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Wisconsin junior center Peter Konz will skip his senior season and enter the 2012 NFL draft, the school announced Tuesday.

Konz was a Rimington Trophy finalist and a first-team AFCA All-American this season, and was named first-team All-Big Ten by a vote of the media who cover the conference.

Konz started 31 games for the Badgers in his career, including their Rose Bowl loss to Oregon as he returned from a dislocated ankle.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Konz as the best junior center in the country.

"I knew when we received the information back from the NFL that Pete would have a tough decision ahead of him," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. "He has been one of the most enjoyable players I have had the pleasure to coach. I know being a Badger meant the world to him and his family."

Wisconsin has had 13 offensive linemen selected in the NFL draft since 1999, including three last year.

Brian Bennett covers Big Ten football for ESPN.com.

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• ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008
• Wrote for The Courier-Journal