Several former Wisconsin Badgers accept postseason all-star game invites

Several former Wisconsin Badgers accept postseason all-star game invites

Former Wisconsin defensive lineman Elijah Hills (2024) and wide receiver Chimere Dike (2020-23) accepted invites to postseason all-star games this week.

Hills and Dike are two of several former Badgers looking to improve their stock entering the 2025 NFL draft.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal class by projected 2025 impact

Hills, first, will participate in the 2025 Tropical Bowl. The event, which has been held since 2016, welcomes NFL draft hopefuls from across the Football Bowl Subdivision. It will be played on Jan. 19, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

The veteran defensive lineman joined the Badgers in 2024 after three years at Albany (Football Championship Subdivision). He was arguably Wisconsin’s best defensive lineman in 2024, finishing the campaign with 26 total tackles (17 solo), six tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass deflection. His transfer addition was one of Luke Fickell’s best since taking over as Wisconsin head coach in 2023.

Hills is currently projected to go undrafted despite that breakthrough season. A strong Tropical Bowl performance could change that fact.

Dike, next, will play in the 2025 Hula Bowl. The all-star showcase was restarted in 2020 after a lengthy break. It features college football stars from all divisions, in addition to international players. The contest will be held on Jan. 11, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

The veteran wide receiver played four years at Wisconsin before closing his career at Florida. He was the Badgers’ leading receiver in 2022, totaling 47 catches, 689 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Waukesha, Wisconsin native tallied a career-best 783 receiving yards at Florida in 2024. His 42 receptions were a team-best.

Dike finished his five-year college career with 139 total catches, 2,261 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is currently projected to be a Day 3 selection in the upcoming NFL draft. A strong Hula Bowl performance could raise that stock further.

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