Former Navy outside linebacker Keegan Wetzel made a recent pre-draft visit to the Chicago Bears, according to a league source.
A native of Palos Heights, Ill. and graduate of St. Laurence High School, Wetzel recorded 15.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and 79 overall tackles for the Midshipmen last season, with his top two performances coming versus Notre Dame and Penn State.
Wetzel’s on-field play earned him a spot on the FBS All-Independent first team, and his work in the classroom led to the 6-foot-3, 226 pound linebacker to be named a first-team Academic All-American for carrying a 3.93 grade-point average.
In fact, President Obama went as far as to praise Wetzel publically for his academic prowess when the Midshipmen visited the White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy.
Additionally, Wetzel was the 2012 recipient of the Roger Staubach award that is handed out annually to Navy’s varsity player who most contributed to the team’s overall success.
Wetzel scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT exam in high school, while being voted the 2009 Chicago Catholic League Defensive Player of the Year.
The Bears are the fourth NFL team to show interest in Wetzel, who’s had one other pre-draft visit and two private workouts.
Bears general manager Phil Emery served as the director of strength and conditioning services for the Midshipmen from 1991-98.