STANFORD, Calif. – Bobby April III has been named Stanford’s Willie Shaw Director of Defense and outside linebackers coach, as announced today by Bradford. M Freeman Director of Football Troy Taylor. April comes to Stanford after spending the last five seasons at Wisconsin.
“I’m beyond thrilled to announce Bobby April III as our new defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach here at Stanford,” Taylor said. “At Wisconsin, he and Jim Leonhard have consistently produced some of the top defenses in the nation. His reputation for recruiting and developing NFL talent is widely respected across the country. This is truly a great fit for Stanford. I can’t wait for him to get started.”
April joined the Wisconsin staff after six seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
“I’m thankful to Coach Taylor for the opportunity to lead the defense at Stanford,” April said. “Coach Taylor and I share a similar philosophy when it comes to building staff and coaching football. This opportunity is appealing to me as a coach because these are the type of young men, people and staff me and my family want to be around. I believe the type of players we have and can attract to Stanford win with character and work ethic, are smart, tough and dependable.
“I have to give a huge thanks to my players at Wisconsin, who have made the last five seasons incredibly special. Thank you also to Coach Chryst, Coach Leonhard and everyone at Wisconsin. This opportunity would not have been possible without you.”
In 2022, the Wisconsin defense ranked 13th in total defense (305.4 ypg), 12th in rushing defense (103.2 ypg), 26th in scoring defense (20.5 ppg) and 31st in passing defense (202.2 ypg). April mentored Nick Herbig, a consensus first-team All-Big Ten honoree who was also named a Walter Camp second-team All-American. Herbig finished the regular season as the Big Ten sack leader, totaling 11.0 quarterback takedowns.
“I’m beyond thrilled to announce Bobby April III as our new defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach here at Stanford,” Taylor said. “At Wisconsin, he and Jim Leonhard have consistently produced some of the top defenses in the nation. His reputation for recruiting and developing NFL talent is widely respected across the country. This is truly a great fit for Stanford. I can’t wait for him to get started.”
April joined the Wisconsin staff after six seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
“I’m thankful to Coach Taylor for the opportunity to lead the defense at Stanford,” April said. “Coach Taylor and I share a similar philosophy when it comes to building staff and coaching football. This opportunity is appealing to me as a coach because these are the type of young men, people and staff me and my family want to be around. I believe the type of players we have and can attract to Stanford win with character and work ethic, are smart, tough and dependable.
“I have to give a huge thanks to my players at Wisconsin, who have made the last five seasons incredibly special. Thank you also to Coach Chryst, Coach Leonhard and everyone at Wisconsin. This opportunity would not have been possible without you.”
In 2022, the Wisconsin defense ranked 13th in total defense (305.4 ypg), 12th in rushing defense (103.2 ypg), 26th in scoring defense (20.5 ppg) and 31st in passing defense (202.2 ypg). April mentored Nick Herbig, a consensus first-team All-Big Ten honoree who was also named a Walter Camp second-team All-American. Herbig finished the regular season as the Big Ten sack leader, totaling 11.0 quarterback takedowns.
In 2021, Wisconsin led the country and set a school record by allowing just 64.8 yards per game on the ground, becoming just the second FBS team since 2008 to allow fewer than 70.0 yards rushing per game over an entire season. UW allowed just 2.12 yards per carry in 2021, tops in the country and best by an FBS defense since 2016. In April’s first year as defensive run game coordinator, Wisconsin led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally in rush defense (96.1 ypg.).
April has been an integral part of a defensive…
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