Tag: offensive linemen

PFF: Wisconsin transfer among top 10 offensive linemen in college football

PFF: Wisconsin transfer among top 10 linemen in college football

Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Trey Wedig finished the 2024 season among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded players at his position.

Wedig, who is scheduled to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 30, received an 85.7 PFF grade. Only Utah’s Spencer Fano (92.8), Missouri’s Wyatt Milum (91.7), Missouri’s Armand Membou (90.4), Iowa’s Gennings Dunker (90.2), Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. (88.0) and Rutgers’ Hollin Pierce (86.4) earned higher marks than the former Badger.

Wedig and fellow Wisconsin transfer Drew Evans were big parts of an Indiana offensive line that was named a finalist for the 2024 Joe Moore Award. Bob Bostad, Wisconsin’s longtime inside linebackers and offensive line coach, coaches the position for Indiana.

Before transferring to Indiana, Wedig played in 35 career games over four seasons at Wisconsin. He was the program’s most versatile lineman, with starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard. 2022 was the best of his four seasons with the Badgers. He started eight games: five at right tackle, two at right guard and one at left guard.

The Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, native transferred to Indiana following the 2023 campaign. The returns of Wisconsin starting tackles Jack Nelson (left) and Riley Mahlman (right) likely played a big role in that decision.

Wedig enjoyed a career year in 2024, helping Indiana to rush for nearly 2,500 yards and reach the end zone 37 times. The team was one of the top stories in college football, finishing 11-2 after making a College Football Playoff appearance.

The standout tackle is projected to be a late-round selection in the NFL draft.

Wisconsin football offers 2024-25 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year

Wisconsin football offers 2024-25 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to elite class of 2026 prospect Jax Tanner on Friday.

Tanner is the third 2026 recruit to receive an offer from Luke Fickell’s program over the past month, joining three-star tight end Jack Utz and four-star offensive lineman Carter Scruggs.

At 6 feet, 4 inches and 275 pounds, Utz is 247Sports’ No. 30 interior offensive lineman in the class of 2026 and No. 2 recruit from his home state of Idaho.

Wisconsin’s offer adds to an early list of potential suitors. Tanner has  received offers from Oregon, Michigan, Boise State, BYU, Nebraska, Tennessee, Stanford, Washington State, Utah and Cal.

During his junior season at Rocky Mountain High School, the lineman surrendered zero sacks while defending his quarterback. Shortly after leading the Grizzlies to the Class 6A semifinals, Tanner reeled in 2024-25 Gatorade Idaho Football Player of the Year nods for his contributions to his high school squad.

At this stage of his recruiting process, there is no clear-cut No. 1 landing spot for the interior offensive lineman. Neither 247Sports nor Rivals have released projections for Tanner, who has ample time to make a collegiate decision. Wisconsin’s rich history with offensive lineman could certainly affect  Tanner’s decision.

With roughly one year remaining until signing day for the class of 2026, UW’s class still features two commitments: three-star interior offensive lineman Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock. Fickell and offensive line coach A.J. Blazek will focus on adding Tanner to that list.

Former Wisconsin offensive linemen accepts invite to postseason all-star game

Former Wisconsin offensive linemen accepts invite to postseason all-star game

Former Wisconsin and current Indiana offensive tackle Trey Wedig accepted an invitation to play in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday.

The UW alumnus, who last played in Indiana’s College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame, is among nearly 100 of college football’s most prolific upperclassmen to accept an invitation to the contest. In 2024, Wedig proved to be one of PFF’s highest-graded tackles in the Big Ten and helped the Hoosiers’ offensive line earn a nod as a finalist for the 2024 Joe Moore Award.

Before his stint at Indiana, Wedig appeared in 35 career games over four seasons at Wisconsin. He showcased his versatility throughout his tenure, especially during the 2022 campaign when he started five games at right tackle, two at right guard and one at left guard.

Wedig elected to transfer following the 2023 season as the Badgers returned established starters Jack Nelson (left tackle) and Riley Mahlman (right tackle). The move paid off. Wedig had a career year in 2024 and will now play tackle in front of hundreds of scouts in one of the most prestigious All-Star games of the college football postseason, working to raise his stock before the 2025 NFL draft.

Staged in Dallas, Texas on Jan. 30, 2025, this year’s Shrine Bowl game will be the 100th installment of the event.

Wisconsin football loses out on top-ranked 2026 offensive line target

Wisconsin football loses out on top-ranked 2026 offensive line target

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Ben Nichols announced his commitment to the University of Notre Dame on Tuesday.

On Dec. 6, shortly after his unofficial visit to Madison, the four-star recruit whittled his final list of collegiate landing spots down to Wisconsin, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Penn State.

The Fighting Irish, who are set to square off against No. 5 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, emerged as the front-runner after that point.

Since then, a bevy of recruiting analysts from both Rivals and 247Sports have crafted forecasts projecting Nichols to land in South Bend. All seven of the available predictions on the two recruiting outlets considered Notre Dame as Nichols’ clear-cut landing spot.

Nonetheless, Wisconsin’s rich history in producing top-tier offensive linemen kept it in the mix. Whether it be Joe Thomas, Kevin Zeitler, Rob Havenstein, Ryan Ramczyk or Travis Frederick, UW knows how to produce NFL-ready players at the position.

As of Dec. 24, Wisconsin’s starting offensive line in 2025 projects to feature Riley Mahlman (right tackle), J.P. Benzschawel (right guard), Jake Renfro (center), Joe Brunner (left guard) and Kevin Heywood (left tackle). While Nichols’ collegiate future won’t begin until 2026, his talent suggests he could fit in immediately at almost any type of program.

247Sports’ composite ranking currently considers Nichols the No. 244 overall recruit in the class of 2026, No. 16 interior offensive lineman and No. 3 prospect from his home state of Michigan. Notre Dame will officially be adding another blue-chip recruit to an already stacked program.

Wisconsin 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in top four, announces commitment date

Wisconsin 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in top four, announces commitment date

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Ben Nichols will announce his collegiate commitment on Dec. 24, per his latest post on X.

On Nov. 11, Nichols listed Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Kentucky and Iowa as his final nine landing spots.

On Dec. 6, the four-star recruit whittled the list down to just Wisconsin, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Penn State, per 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu.

The outlet’s composite ranking considers Nichols the No. 244 overall recruit in the class of 2025, No. 16 interior offensive lineman and No. 3 prospect from his home state of Michigan for the class of 2026.

While Wisconsin’s inclusion in Nichols’ final four landing spots is substantial, recruiting outlets project the Michigan native to land with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists the college football juggernaut as his most likely landing spot at 82%, and Rivals’ Penn State analyst Richard O’Leary recently released a FutureCast projecting the Fighting Irish to secure his commitment.

UW’s current iOL room took a hit on Thursday with the loss of James Durand to the transfer portal. Both Joe Huber and Jake Renfro competed as redshirt seniors, so Wisconsin is certainly in need of some depth at the position.

Yes, Nichols is a 2026 recruit, but his talent is unquestionable. As a junior in high school, his 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame makes him one of the more alluring 2026 talents in the nation.

Wisconsin redshirt freshman offensive lineman to enter transfer portal

Wisconsin freshman offensive lineman to enter transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman offensive lineman James Durand announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Thursday.

“I am thankful for my time and growth at the University of Wisconsin,” Durand wrote on X. “That being said, I’d like to announce that I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.”

Durand became the second former Badger offensive lineman to enter the transfer portal in as many days, joining redshirt junior offensive lineman Manny Mullens.

He also becomes the ninth player from Luke Fickell’s class of 2023 to enter the portal this winter. Only tight end Tucker Ashcraft, defensive tackle Jamel Howard and inside linebackers Christian Alliegro and Tyler Jansey remain.

https://twitter.com/JamesDurand17/status/1864890005514043421

Durand committed to the Badgers’ program on May 6, 2022 over opportunities from Colorado, Oregon State, Arizona, Utah and Iowa State. The Chandler, Arizona product was considered the No. 51 iOL and No. 12 player from Arizona for the class of 2023 as a recruit.

Durand saw the field once during his tenure in Madison in Wisconsin’s blowout win over Purdue on Oct. 5. He spend all season listed as the Badgers’ backup left guard behind Joe Brunner.

He is the 13th scholarship player to enter the portal since the Badgers’ season ended last Friday. That number appears to only be rising with each passing day.

For more on that outgoing movement bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Wisconsin loses offensive lineman to transfer portal

Wisconsin loses offensive lineman to transfer portal

Wisconsin football walk-on offensive lineman Manny Mullens announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.

Mullens is one of 12 Badgers to enter the portal since the team finished its 2024 season last Friday. He is one of five Badgers to enter on Wednesday alone, alongside with Braedyn Moore, Trech Kekahuna, Nate White and James Thompson Jr.

“I am so blessed to play the game of football and to be a Wisconsin Badger,” Mullens wrote on X. “God has been great and my time in Madison has been amazing. Thank you to coach [Casey Rabach] and the entire staff for all their support and belief in me. To my teammates, you guys are my brothers for life, and I’ll always cherish the memories we made together. After a lot of prayer and thought, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal to see what’s next for me. Thank you, Wisconsin. It was an honor to wear cardinal and white and Wisconsin will forever be in my heart.”

The redshirt junior offensive lineman signed with the Badgers as a preferred walk-on in December 2022. He arrived in Madison after transferring from Division II Lake Eerie College.

Manny Mullens is also the younger brother of former Wisconsin defensive end Isaiah Mullens, who played for the program from 2018-2022. Manny did not see the field in two seasons with the program.

Mullens is also the first former Badger offensive lineman to announce his decision to enter the portal. It is one of the few positions on the roster where the program seems well-equipped to handle some departures.

For updates on Wisconsin’s full list of incoming and outgoing transfers, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Tennessee Titans sign former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman

Tennessee Titans sign former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman

The Tennessee Titans claimed former Wisconsin offensive lineman Logan Bruss off of waivers on Tuesday.

The move arrived just a day after the Los Angeles Rams elected to waive the 2022 NFL draftee before their Week 10 game vs. the Miami Dolphins.

Shortly after his acquisition, Bruss joined Tennessee’s locker room and participated in practice on Wednesday. Head coach Brian Callahan indicated that the UW alumnus will play guard for the Titans going forward.

Bruss will also wear No. 66 for Tennessee after sporting No. 60 for Los Angeles in 2024.

Bruss was selected No. 104 overall by the Rams in the 2022 NFL draft. After tearing his ACL during the 2022 preseason, he spent all of 2023 on Los Angeles’ practice squad. He then appeared in eight games for L.A. in 2024, starting three, after making the Week 1 roster.

The 6-foot-5 lineman appeared in 41 games for the Badgers from 2017-21. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors during a 2021 season in which he blocked for Badger-turned-New-York-Jet RB Braelon Allen.

Now, Bruss will get an opportunity to block for running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears out of the Titans’ backfield. Tennessee plays its next game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Wisconsin football class of 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in list of finalists

Wisconsin football class of 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in list of finalists

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Ben Nichols included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Monday.

Nichols, who received his offer from the Badgers on May 15, included Wisconsin along with Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Kentucky and Iowa.

At the time of his offer, On3’s industry ranking considered Nichols the No. 19 interior offensive lineman in the class of 2026, No. 4 recruit from Michigan and No. 238 overall recruit in the class. The outlet has elevated Nichols to the No. 16 iOL, No. 3 recruit from Michigan and No. 199 overall recruit in his class.

While Nichols does not hold a 247Sports crystal ball prediction at this stage of his recruitment, On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as his most likely landing spot at over 84%. Michigan, Ohio State and Eastern Michigan all hold less than a 7% chance to secure a commitment.

Nichols is considered a four-star recruit from virtually every recruiting outlet. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Nichols has the frame to become a devastating force on any offensive line when he makes the jump to the collegiate level.

Currently, UW’s iOL room consists of Joe Huber, Jake Renfro and James Durand.

Wisconsin offers top offensive tackle in class of 2027

Wisconsin offers top offensive tackle in class of 2027

Wisconsin football extended an offer to top-ranked class of 2027 offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand on Friday.

As a sophomore, Hildebrand is already considered a five-star recruit via 247Sports’ composite ranking. The outlet also pegs the Arizona native as the No. 24 overall recruit, No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 1 player from Arizona for the class of 2027.

On3, meanwhile, has Hildebrand as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation for his cohort.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound recruit has already received a bevy of offers from some of the most prestigious programs in the nation. As of Nov. 8, that list includes Oregon, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa State and Washington.

That list will likely balloon as Hildebrand progresses through the rest of his high school tenure.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine has Arizona State and Arizona as the most likely destinations for Hildebrand, but he has ample time to receive more offers and make his collegiate decision.

Wisconsin’s storied history in producing NFL-ready offensive linemen will certainly play a role in Hildebrand’s recruitment. UW’s interest at the stage of the process could help establish some ties as the sophomore continues to hone in on his craft at tackle.