Tag: Badgers in NFL

First look at former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen in a New York Jets uniform

LOOK: Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen in a New York Jets uniform

NFL and Wisconsin football fans got a first look at former Badgers running back Braelon Allen in a New York Jets uniform recently.

As the youngest player in this year’s draft class, The New York Jets selected Allen with the No. 134 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Wisconsin native will be 20 years old during the Jets’ entire 2024-25 campaign.

At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Allen graduated from Fond du Lac High School in Wisconsin before venturing to Madison for what would become an impressive collegiate tenure.

Following a freshman season in which he was named a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist, Allen earned consensus bids to the All-Big Ten second team from 2022-23.

In total, Allen started in 24 of his 35 career appearances at UW and departed campus at No. 9 on Wisconsin’s all-time leading rushing list with 3,494 yards. He punched in 35 touchdowns and averaged 99.8 yards per appearance  during his three years in Madison. Allen’s 5.85 career yards per carry rank fourth in UW’s storied history

Despite the buzz and physically domineering stature, Allen figures to be New York’s second-string running back behind Breece Hall.

Still, the two-back tandem has worked well in the NFL in past seasons. The most notable situations being Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard in Dallas and Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon in Green Bay.

Former Wisconsin football superstar appears on 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Former Wisconsin football superstar appears on 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Former Wisconsin star running back Montee Ball earned a spot on the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot on Monday, per an announcement from the National Football Foundation.

Over his three-year career in Madison, Ball was a two-time All-American and the 2011 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. The Wentzville, Missouri native totaled a staggering 4,749 yards, 73 touchdowns and 118.7 yards per appearance in 40 games at UW.

Among the superstar outputs, perhaps his most memorable performance arrived in Wisconsin’s 70-31 victory in the 2012 Big Ten title game. Ball rushed 21 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns to seal the deal, a year after the Badgers’ Rose Bowl appearance in 2011.

Ball would go on to play in 21 games for the Denver Broncos after being drafted 58th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The legendary running back was inducted into the UW Hall of Fame in 2023. Regardless of the College Football Hall of Fame outcome, he will forever be cemented as one of the greatest running backs in Wisconsin history.

The group on the 2025 ballot , which was compiled by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame, includes 178 total players and 43 total coaches from both the FBS and FCS ranks.

The 2025 ballot was emailed to more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers who will submit votes to the NFF’s Honors Court through July 1. The Court will then deliberate and select the class.

Indianapolis Colts officially sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman to rookie deal

Indianapolis Colts officially sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman to rookie deal

The Indianapolis Colts officially signed former Wisconsin offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini Monday, per NBCSports.

Bortolini will join the Colts on a standard four-year rookie deal worth $4.799 million with a signing bonus of $799,868. The Colts selected Bortolini with the No. 117 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The former Badger entered this year’s draft after a productive collegiate career playing across the offensive line at UW. He finished with 27 starts over four years — 13 at center, 13 at left/right guard and one at tight end. The versatile lineman started all 12 games at center for the 2023 Badgers under new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, and allowed only one sack in 477 chances according to PFF.

He joins a Colts team in need of a resurgent season after a 9-8 2023 campaign.

Bortolini was the third former Badger to be selected in this year’s draft alongside running backs Braelon Allen and Isaac Guerendo (via Louisville). Maema Njongmeta, Peter Bowden, Hayden Rucci and Tanner Mordecai all signed with NFL teams following the draft. 

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football is second among NCAA Division I college football programs with the most active offensive lineman in the NFL.

With 11 active linemen in the pros, the Badgers are tied for second in the nation with Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame. Only Michigan produced more active athletes with 14.

Following the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to draft former Badger Tanor Bortolini with the No. 117 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wisconsin further solidified itself as one of the nation’s best in molding collegiate offensive linemen into future professionals.

In addition to Bortolini, Buffalo Bills’ offensive guard David Edwards, Jacksonville Jaguars’ tackle Cole Van Lanen, New York Jets’ center Joe Tippman and Pittsburgh Steelers’ lineman Tyler Beach represent the Badgers in the NFL’s AFC. 

Detroit Lions offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and New Orleans’ Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk are representatives for the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams’ duo of Rob Havenstein and Logan Bruss, alongside Washington Commanders’ center Tyler Biadasz and guard Michael Deiter, are UW’s final four OL alumni in the NFC. 

2023 Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas, former Dallas Cowboy Travis Frederick and Super Bowl champion Mark Tauscher are some of the most famous offensive lineman to play at UW.

Former Wisconsin Badger re-signs with Houston Texans

Former Wisconsin football player re-signs with Texans

The NFL Draft begins Thursday and some athletes around the league are still finding new homes in free agency, but former Wisconsin running back Dare Ogunbowale is staying with his current team, signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Ogunbowale will return to Houston for a third consecutive season with the team. In 2023, the running back most notably nailed a 29-yard field goal in the team’s 39-37 win over the Buccaneers in Week 9.

When it comes to his traditional position, Ogunbowale turned eight carries into 35 yards while also adding two receptions for 18 yards over 12 contests last season. He’ll likely vie for reps behind Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce in 2024.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Wisconsin running back continues to impress before NFL Draft

Former Wisconsin running back continues to impress before NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will begin next Thursday night (April 25) in Detroit and former Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen continues to impress.

After three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in Madison, Allen will be moving on to the next level. What makes him so impressive as an athlete is his shear strength, which he has consistently put on tape dating all the way back to his high school days in Fond Du Lac.

Allen has been compared to NFL star Derrick Henry throughout his career and the two of them were even spotted working out together earlier this month.

The running back remains projected to be a mid-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker ranks in top five in major NFL category

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker ranks in top five in major NFL category

The NFL season is still six months away, but the league never leaves the front page and a former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker received some attention Monday.

Pittsburgh Steelers standout edge rusher TJ Watt ranks second only to Haason Reddick in forced fumbles since the beginning of the 2020 campaign, which comes as no surprise. After two seasons with the Eagles, Reddick will be a New York Jet in 2024, joining Watt in the AFC.

Watt has been electric since he was selected in the first round (30th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, ranking at or near the top of the league in sacks, forced fumbles, quarterback pressures and more.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Former Badger is a finalist for the NFL’s DPOY

Former Badger is a finalist for the NFL’s DPOY

For yet another year, former Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt was named as a finalist for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday.

Watt had yet another stellar season in Pittsburgh this season, matching his career-high with 68 total tackles, including 19.0 sacks, while also adding four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception over 17 games.

The linebacker’s sack total was the second highest of his seven-year NFL career with the Steelers and he’ll look to secure his second DPOY award at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 8.

All four of his fellow nominees have never won the award.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Two former Badgers selected to 2023 NFL Pro Bowl roster

Two former Badgers selected to 2024 NFL Pro Bowl roster

The initial 2024 NFL Pro Bowl roster was announced Wednesday and two former Badgers, fullback Alec Ingold and linebacker T.J. Watt were selected.

For Ingold, it marks the first time that he has been chosen for the Pro Bowl, earning the selection after posting 13 catches for 119 yards over the team’s 16 contests so far while also helping lead block for Miami’s formidable rushing attack.

Watt has now been selected for six straight Pro Bowls and through 16 contests in 2023, he’s compiled 60 tackles, including 17.0 sacks, while deflecting eight passes, intercepting another, forcing four fumbles, recovering three fumbles and scoring a touchdown.

Congrats to the latest former Badgers who will appear in the Pro Bowl.

(Incorrectly marked as 2023 Pro Bowl)

https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1742729773594693653?s=46&t=OeAKdLK4n5Ct21xw6WVVTQ

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Wisconsin offensive lineman declares for NFL Draft

Badgers OL moves on to NFL

Just one day after accepting an invitation to the Senior Bowl in February, Badgers offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. It was a likely move after his decision to play in the Senior Bowl, but nonetheless, his decision became final Wednesday.

Bortolini spent four seasons with Wisconsin, playing both offensive guard and center in his time with the Badgers, even playing a little tight end occasionally.

His 6-foot-4 frame lends well to his chances to be successful in the NFL, plus Wisconsin has a track record of great pros coming through their program.

Bortolini joins running back Braelon Allen in deciding to declare of the upcoming NFL Draft.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]