Tag: Hunter Wohler

Six Wisconsin Badgers receive 2024 All-Big Ten honors

Six Wisconsin Badgers receive 2024 All-Big Ten honors

A total of six Wisconsin Badgers earned All-Big Ten honors for their contributions during the 2024 season on Tuesday.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Joe Huber pocketed third-team all-Big Ten honors, and five other UW playmakers were awarded honorable mention All-Big Ten by media coaches.

The honorable mention group includes safety Hunter Wohler, cornerback Ricardo Hallman, offensive lineman Jack Nelson, running back Tawee Walker and punter Atticus Bertrams. This is the second consecutive season Hallman and Wohler earned Big Ten accolades after the defensive back duo landed on All-Big Ten squads in 2023.

Huber started in all 12 games of UW’s 2024 season and helped Wisconsin allow just 13.0 sacks and 47.0 tackles for loss, both top five in the conference, per UW Athletics.

Wohler captained the Badgers this season with 71 tackles, the fifth-most among Big Ten defensive backs. Nelson, another mainstay in Wisconsin’s offensive line alongside Huber, allowed just one sack and eight pressures this season, per PFF. Both Wohler and Nelson accepted invitations to the 2025 Senior Bowl on Wednesday.

Hallman, fresh off an All-Big Ten third team nod in 2023, recorded 16 tackles for Wisconsin this year, while Walker finished with 864 yards and 10 touchdowns to pace UW’s backfield.

To round out Wisconsin’s 2024 postseason accolades, Bertrams recorded a 45.3 punting average as a sophomore, the second-best mark in the Big Ten.

Huber, Nelson, Wohler, Walker and Hallman were all celebrated on Wisconsin’s senior day on Nov. 29. Other than Bertrams, the entire group of all-conference honorees has likely played their final games at Wisconsin.

Two Wisconsin Badgers accept 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl invitations

Two Wisconsin Badgers accept 2025 Senior Bowl invitations

Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Worker and offensive lineman Jack Nelson accepted invitations to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Wednesday.

Wohler and Nelson are among 72 players to accept invitations as of Dec. 4. Serving as somewhat of a post-season college football all-star game, the Senior Bowl aims to showcase NFL Draft prospects who have finalized their college eligibility. NFL Network will broadcast the battle this winter, which takes place on Feb. 1 in Mobile, Alabama.

The number of senior bowl commitments typically creeps up to around 110, but the list is loaded thus far. The most notable names include Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo and Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson.

Both Wohler and Nelson were included in the 2025 Senior Bowl watch list in late August alongside 11 other Badgers. That list included quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, wide receiver Will Pauling, running Chez Mellusi, linebacker Jaheim Thomas, outside linebacker John Pius, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., defensive back RJ Delancy III, cornerback Ricardo Hallman and offensive linemen Joe Huber and Riley Mahlman.

Following his 120-tackle, First team All-Big Ten season in 2023, Wohler tallied 71 total tackles and six pass deflections in 2024. He surpassed 200 career tackles as a Badger earlier this season. He’s currently considered a fringe top-20 safety prospect for the 2025 NFL draft.

Nelson, meanwhile, has played all 12 games for Wisconsin in 2024. He finished his collegiate career with 50 starts — 37 at left tackle, 13 at right guard. He projects to be a Day 3 selection in April’s draft.

Wisconsin vs. Minnesota injury report: Badgers getting star player back for Week 14 rivalry matchup

All the latest updates and news on Wisconsin’s injury report ahead of a Week 14 game vs. Minnesota.

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) and Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) are less than 90 minutes from kickoff for their Week 14 rivalry matchup.

Kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium is scheduled for noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Related: Badgers Wire staff predictions for Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

Wisconsin released its final injury report leading up to the contest. Of note, the Badgers are getting star safety Hunter Wohler back for the first time in two weeks. Leading wide receiver Will Pauling is also listed as ‘questionable’ after missing the team’s Week 13 game at Nebraska.

Here is the full injury report from both Wisconsin and Minnesota entering the important rivalry matchup. Several notable Badger starters are listed as ‘questionable.’

Wisconsin injury report

OUT: RB Chez Mellusi, QB Tyler Van Dyke, WR Joseph Griffin Jr., S Kamo’i Latu, QB Cole LaCrue, S Owen Arnett, LB Tamer Dalloul, OT Evan Brown, OL Leyton Nelson, TE Rob Booker

QUESTIONABLE: LB Jake Chaney, WR Will Pauling, LB Jaheim Thomas, TE Tucker Ashcraft, DL James Thompson Jr., DL Elijah Hills

Minnesota injury report

OUT: DB Aidan Gousby, DB Darius Green, TE Pierce Walsh

QUESTIONABLE: OL Tyler Cooper

Wisconsin S Hunter Wohler injury update

Wohler is off the injury report after missing the Badgers’ Week 13 game with an injury.

Wisconsin WR Will Pauling injury update

Pauling is ‘questionable’ after missing last week’s contest. He left the Badgers’ Week 12 game against Oregon with a lower-body injury.

Wisconsin DL James Thompson Jr. injury update

James Thompson Jr. made his season debut during Wisconsin’s Week 13 loss to Nebraska. He is ‘questionable’ vs. Minnesota though is expected to return to the field.

Wisconsin LB Jake Chaney injury update

Jake Chaney left the Badgers’ Week 13 game vs. Nebraska with an injury. He’s ‘questionable’ against the Gophers.

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Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will be without two of their star players when they battles Nebraska (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Those are safety Hunter Wohler and wide receiver Will Pauling. Both left the second half of the team’s Week 12 loss to Oregon with injuries. Neither was ready to return for Saturday’s matchup.

Wohler leads Wisconsin in tackles (63) and pass deflections (six) through 12 games. He’s arguably the team’s most important player on either side of the football. Pauling, meanwhile, is second on the team in receiving yards (407) and leads in receiving touchdowns (three).

In other recent news, Nebraska will be without starting cornerback Tommi Hill against Wisconsin. The veteran had been battling a foot injury since the start of the season. Rhule announced this week that he’d miss the team’s final two regular season games.

As Wisconsin and Nebraska near kickoff, here are the official injury reports from each team:

Wisconsin injury report

OUT: S Hunter Wohler, WR Will Pauling,ย RB Chez Mellusi (for season), QB Tyler Van Dyke (for season), WR Joseph Griffin (for season), S Kamo’i Latu, QB Cole LaCrue, OL Evan Brown, OL Leyton Nelson, TE Rob Booker

QUESTIONABLE: DL James Thompson Jr., LB Jaheim Thomas

Nebraska injury report

OUT: CB Tommi Hill, K Tristan Alvano, OL Turner Corcoran, OT Tyler Knaack

QUESTIONABLE: RB Rahmir Johnson, OL Micah Mazzccua

Hunter Wohler injury update

Wohler left the end of Wisconsin’s narrow loss to Oregon with an injury after a tough collision. He went straight into the locker room, indicating the injury was serious. He is out against Nebraska.

Will Pauling injury update

Pauling exited during the second half of Wisconsin’s loss to Oregon. He was a key factor of the Badgers’ win over Nebraska in 2023. His absence is a big loss on an offense that needs a spark.

James Thompson Jr. injury update

James Thompson Jr. suffered a significant upper-body injury during training camp. He’s been listed as ‘out’ all season leading up to this week. The top lineman is now ‘questionable’ against Nebraska.

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Wisconsin star safety surpasses career tackle milestone

Wisconsin star safety surpasses career tackle milestone

Wisconsin star safety Hunter Wohler surpassed 200 career tackles during UW’s 28-13 loss to Penn State on Saturday.

After recording 120 total tackles during his junior campaign in 2023, Wohler has accumulated 48 total tackles in eight appearances as a senior. The Wisconsin native’s 11 total tackles against the Nittany Lions were the most by any Badger defender.

Wohler’s 206 total tackles are still a long way from Wisconsin’s most ever. With 451 career tackles, linebacker Pete Monty holds the No. 1 spot on the Badgers’ all-time tackle hierarchy, followed by Gary Casper (447) and nose tackle Tim Krumrie (444).

Wohler’s best season to date was his 2023 campaign. His 120 tackles were the most by a Wisconsin defensive back since Reggie Holt in 1991, and his 74 solo tackles ranked No. 1 by any defensive back across the country.

The Muskego, Wisconsin, native is considered a fringe top-20 safety for the 2025 NFL draft. A few pundits projected Wohler to land in the third round before the season began, but the team’s play has appeared to diminish the likelihood of him falling anywhere above the fourth round.

Wisconsin’s next test is scheduled for Nov. 2 against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Series history, all-time record

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Series history, all-time record

Wisconsin (2-0) will host No. 4 Alabama (2-0) at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday for its third game of the 2024 campaign. It will be the third all-time meeting between the two programs and their first matchup since 2015.

The Badgers own a 1-1 record against Alabama, though they dropped their most recent meeting 35-17 in 2015. The two teams squared off in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Wisconsin was unable to get the ground game going while quarterback Joel Stave compiled 228 passing yards and two touchdowns while throwing an interception in the game. The Crimson Tide were able to lean on future Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry for 148 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.

The only other matchup between the two schools came back in 1928 when Wisconsin defeated Alabama 15-0.

Luke Fickell’s squad will likely be challenged downfield in the passing game for the first time this season on Saturday against the Crimson Tide after facing run-heavy opponents Western Michigan and South Dakota in their first two contests of the year.

The Badgers have star power in the secondary with cornerback Ricardo Hallman and safety Hunter Wohler, though it may come down to the surrounding cast’s ability to step up Saturday if the team is going to limit Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and its passing attack.

Wisconsin star omitted from PFF’s latest 2025 NFL draft safety rankings

Wisconsin star omitted from PFF’s latest 2025 NFL draft safety rankings

Wisconsin Badgers’ star safety Hunter Wohler was omitted from ProFootballFocus’ recent 2025 NFL draft safety rankings on Tuesday.

Composed by PFF’s lead NFL Draft analyst Trevor Sikkema, the list includes eight of the most elite safeties across college football.ย 

Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr., Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr., Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom, Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa, Michigan’s Rod Moore and USC’s Akili Arnold were placed ahead of UW’s defensive anchor.ย 

Considering Wohler’s 2023 output, his omission is certainly questionable. The Muskego, Wisconsin native was named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press and led all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles.

The safetyโ€™s 74 solo tackles also ranked No. 1 among all qualified defensive backs in NCAA Division I college football. He became the first Big Ten defensive back to post over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1830993403921998171

As of Sept. 5, Wohler projects to land someone in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

With contests against Penn State, USC, Oregon, Alabama, Iowa and Nebraska on the Badgers’ 2024 slate, the spotlight provides Wohler an opportunity to improve his stock and vault some of his peers prior to the professional jump.

He’s off to a respectable start. In Week 1 against Western Michigan, Wohler recorded six solo tackles, the most among all Wisconsin defenders. He will look to continue his dominance against South Dakota State on Sept. 7 at Camp Randall.

Best photos from Wisconsin’s 28-14 win over Western Michigan

The best photos from Wisconsin’s Week 1 win over Western Michigan:

The Wisconsin Badgers football team defeated Western Michigan 28-14 in their 2024 season opener on Friday night. Although the game was too close for comfort at times, it is the program’s third-straight season-opening win.

The Badgers relied heavily on their ground game, churning out 196 rushing yards on 46 attempts as a team. Chez Mellusi led the way with 74 yards and a score on the ground while Tawee Walker chipped in 66 yards and a touchdown as well.

Making his Wisconsin debut at quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke threw for 192 yards against the Broncos.

For Western Michigan, running back Jalen Buckley was able to reach the end zone twice while compiling 64 rushing yards in the game. Quarterback Hayden Wolff produced 141 passing yards, but he did throw an interception to Badgers freshman Xavier Lucas in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos led 14-13 in the fourth quarter, but Wisconsin ultimately prevailed, improving to 5-1 against Western Michigan all-time and 37-1 against the Mid American Conference.

Here are some of the best pictures from the Badgers Week 1 win:

13 Wisconsin Badgers crack 2025 Senior Bowl watch list

13 Wisconsin Badgers crack 2025 Senior Bowl watch list

13 Wisconsin Badgers cracked the 2025 Senior Bowl watch list on Wednesday.

The 12th annual list includes 859 prospects from 180 programs across the country. The number usually dwindles to 110 players at the annual Feb. 1 contest in Mobile, Alabama, the home of the University of South Alabama.

On the offensive side, Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, wide receiver Will Pauling and running Chez Mellusi made the cut. Offensive linemen Jack Nelson, Joe Huber, Riley Mahlhan and Jake Renfro also represent UW’s offensive line on the list.

Defensively, linebacker Jaheim Thomas, outside linebacker John Pius, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., defensive back RJ Delancy III, safety Hunter Wohler and cornerback Ricardo Hallman were listed as well.

Historically, the game format rosters its participants regionally into North and South teams. Since 2021, the bowl moved to American and National team designations with coaching staffs typically handpicked from two lower-ranked NFL teams.

Serving as somewhat of a post-season college football all-star bout, the Senior Bowl aims to showcase NFL Draft prospects who have finalized their college eligibility. NFL Network will broadcast the battle this winter.

Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel: Badgers leadership is ‘completely different’ entering 2024

Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel: Badgers ‘leadership is completely different’ entering 2024

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel is impressed with what he’s seen from the team’s veterans on defense entering the 2024 season.

He shared his sentiment with the Big Ten Network crew as they made their annual trip to the Badgers fall training camp. The focus: the presence of senior safety Hunter Wohler and linebacker Jake Chaney.

Related:ย Projecting Wisconsin Badgers two-deep depth chart heading into Week 4 of 2024 fall camp

“I think the leadership is completely different in terms of those guys really hold their teammates accountable,” Tressel said. “It’s so much better when the players hold each other accountable than when the coaches get involved in that. That is so much better.”

Wohler and Chaney both return after finishing 2023 as two of theย Badgers’ statistical leaders. That season, as explained by many, was unique in that it was an adjustment period for everybody, head coach on down. It’s reasonable to assume that setting created an unusual dynamic, especially for the previous leaders under Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard who elected to stay after Fickell’s hire.

That dynamic is all gone entering 2024. Wohler and Chaney are two of the team’s senior leaders on defense, and have clearly left a positive impression on their coordinator.

“The other thing is we’ve challenged them to be problem solvers. We’ve put them in positions to see some things that they haven’t seen during practice or on film,” Tressel continued. “And have them communicate and be the problem solvers. Because we weren’t great in opening scripts last year. That’s when you see the stuff you haven’t seen in practice. So we’ve put that on their plates and they’ve done well.”

Tressel, Wohler and Chaney are looking to lead the Wisconsin defense to an improvement after a solid performance in 2023. That unit finished ranked No. 21 in the nation in scoring defense (20.2 points per game) and No. 39 in total defense (344 yards allowed per game). The 2024 group is expected to be better with another year of continuity, aided by a host of transfer additions at linebacker and defensive line.

That improvement, in Tressel’s eyes, will also come due to the growing leadership of Wohler and Chaney at the center of the unit.

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