The title “Offensive Line-U” is often thrown around loosely whenever a program sees a few linemen get drafted. Whether Wisconsin is fifth in that list or first, the program has undeniably been one of the nation’s best at producing stellar players at the position.
The latest is center Joe Tippmann, a second-round pick of the New York Jets in the 2023 NFL Draft and the team’s projected starter this season.
Although many things changed about Wisconsin football this offseason, line play and development should continue into the future.
Sitting here in June, consensus boards are already eyeing left tackle Jack Nelson for next year’s draft process. The senior started 12 games for the team last year, finished with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 83.1 and was named among the Big Ten honorable mention recipients at the end of the year. With a strong final season in Wisconsin’s new high-flying offense, Nelson should be one of the first tackles taken off the board in April.
The name NFL Draft pundits may not yet be familiar with is projected starting left guard Tanor Bortolini.
The Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy had a terrific analysis of his current situation and why he may rise when the season arrives:
All-conference teams are nice honors but they’re not necessarily good predictors of where players will get taken in NFL draft.
Case in point, look no further than left side of @BadgerFootball O-line, where both LT 79 Jack Nelson & LG 63 Tanier Bortolini were only honorable… pic.twitter.com/dIf0lSoTlu
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) June 20, 2023
“Bortolini, who started games at both OG spots, OC, and TE last year, is one of most versatile prospects in this class and we doubt he’ll stay a sleeper for long.”
All attention will be on the Badgers if the Phil Longo offense is as advertised. The offensive line would be at the heart of that success, especially if Braelon Allen has the year we all expect him to. With Bortolini’s versatility and ascending play, he should be a name we hear called at the NFL Draft next April.