Tag: Roster

Here are the 2025 Pro Bowl rosters

The 2025 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando this afternoon. Here are the AFC and NFC rosters.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will continue today with a few more skills challenges and a flag football game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

There are 25 players who were initially named alternates that have since been added to the rosters are replacement players. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (fourth alternate) and guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate) both declined being added to the AFC squad.

Denver’s three players initially selected to the all-star game — cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims — are set to start for the AFC.

This year’s AFC quarterbacks are Joe Burrow (initial selection), Drake Maye (replaced Lamar Jackson) and Russell Wilson (replaced Josh Allen). The NFC’s QBs are Sam Darnold (initial selection), Jared Goff (initial selection) and Baker Mayfield (replaced Jayden Daniels).

View the full rosters below, courtesy of the NFL.

2025 Pro Bowl Rosters

AFC Offense

Quarterback (3):

Running back (3):

Fullback (1):

Wide receiver (4):

Tight end (2):

Offensive tackle (3):

Offensive guard (3):

Center (2):

AFC Defense

*Denotes starter

Defensive end (3):

Interior linemen (3):

Outside linebacker (3):

Inside/middle linebacker (2):

Cornerback (4):

Free safety (1):

Strong safety (2):

AFC Special teams

*Denotes starter

Long snapper (1):

Punter (1):

Placekicker (1):

Return specialist (1):

Special teamer (1):

NFC Offense

*Denotes starter

Quarterback (3):

Running back (3):

Fullback (1):

Wide receiver (4):

Tight end (2):

Offensive tackle (3):

Offensive guard (3):

Center (2):

NFC Defense

*Denotes starter

Defensive end (3):

Interior linemen (3):

Outside linebacker (3):

Inside/middle linebacker (2):

Cornerback (4):

Free safety (1):

Strong safety (2):

Special teams

*Denotes starter

Long snapper (1):

Punter (1):

Placekicker (1):

Return specialist (1):

Special teamer (1):

Sunday’s events will begin at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. MT) on ESPN and ABC.

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2025 Senior Bowl: Start time, TV channel, live stream and rosters

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the 2025 Senior Bowl tonight.

It’s officially pre-draft season.

The 2025 slate of college football all-star games continues today with the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The game is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. MT) on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The 2025 Senior Bowl Bowl will be nationally televised on NFL Network and available to stream on FuboTV (try it free).

The Denver Broncos ended up drafting two players from last year’s Senior Bowl: quarterback Bo Nix (first round) and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (fifth round). Nix went on to have one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, and Abrams-Draine emerged as a key cornerback for Denver late in his rookie season.

2025 Senior Bowl

What: 2025 Senior Bowl
When: Saturday, Feb. 1
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT)
TV: NFL Network
Live stream: FuboTV (try it free)
Rosters: Listed below

2025 Senior Bowl Bowl Rosters

National Team Roster 

Pos. First Name Last Name School
DB Azareye’h Thomas Florida State
DB Keondre Jackson Illinois State
DB Sebastian Castro Iowa
DB Darien Porter Iowa State
DB Quincy Riley Louisville
DB Rayuan Lane III Navy
DB Tommi Hill Nebraska
DB Trey Rucker Oklahoma State
DB Justin Barron Syracuse
DB Maxen Hook Toledo
DB Jaylin Smith USC
DB Jonas Sanker Virginia
DB Dorian Strong Virginia Tech
DB Bilhal Kone Western Michigan
DL Landon Jackson Arkansas
DL Donovan Ezeiruaku Boston College
DL Joshua Farmer Florida State
DL Yahya Black Iowa
DL Mike Green Marshall
DL Josaiah Stewart Michigan
DL Jah Joyner Minnesota
DL Ty Robinson Nebraska
DL Jamaree Caldwell Oregon
DL Darius Alexander Toledo
DL Junior Tafuna Utah
DL Aeneas Peebles Virginia Tech
K Ryan Fitzgerald Florida State
LB David Walker Central Arkansas
LB Cody Lindenberg Minnesota
LB Nick Martin Oklahoma State
LB Collin Oliver Oklahoma State
LB Jeffrey Bassa Oregon
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo UCLA
LB Karene Reid Utah
LS William Wagner Michigan
OL Ozzy Trapilo Boston College
OL Jalen Travis Iowa State
OL Jalen Rivers Miami (FL)
OL Aireontae Ersery Minnesota
OL Anthony Belton North Carolina State
OL Grey Zabel North Dakota State
OL Josh Conerly Jr. Oregon
OL Marcus Mbow Purdue
OL Caleb Rogers Texas Tech
OL Jonah Monheim USC
OL Wyatt Milum West Virginia
P Jeremy Crawshaw Florida
QB Taylor Elgersma Laurier
QB Tyler Shough Louisville
QB Dillon Gabriel Oregon
RB Damien Martinez Miami (FL)
RB Donovan Edwards Michigan
RB Ollie Gordon II Oklahoma State
RB LeQuint Allen Syracuse
RB Woody Marks USC
RB Bhayshul Tuten Virginia Tech
TE Harold Fannin Jr. Bowling Green
TE Elijah Arroyo Miami (FL)
TE Terrance Ferguson Oregon
TE Gavin Bartholomew Pittsburgh
TE Moliki Matavao UCLA
WR Pat Bryant Illinois
WR Jayden Higgins Iowa State
WR Jaylin Noel Iowa State
WR Xavier Restrepo Miami (FL)
WR Tez Johnson Oregon
WR Da’Quan Felton Virginia Tech
WR Jaylin Lane Virginia Tech
WR Kyle Williams Washington State

American Team Roster

Pos. First Name Last Name School
DB BJ Adams Central Florida
DB Mac McWilliams Central Florida
DB Dan Jackson Georgia
DB Jacob Parrish Kansas State
DB Maxwell Hairston Kentucky
DB Dante Trader Jr. Maryland
DB Billy Bowman Jr. Oklahoma
DB Trey Amos Ole Miss
DB Melvin Smith Southern Arkansas
DB Caleb Ransaw Tulane
DB Hunter Wohler Wisconsin
DB Upton Stout Western Kentucky
DB Johnathan Edwards Tulane
DL Tim Smith Alabama
DL Cam Jackson Florida
DL Deone Walker Kentucky
DL RJ Oben Notre Dame
DL Jared Ivey Ole Miss
DL Walter Nolen Ole Miss
DL Princely Umanmielen Ole Miss
DL Kyle Kennard South Carolina
DL T.J. Sanders South Carolina
DL Omarr Norman-Lott Tennessee
DL Barryn Sorrell Texas
DL Shemar Stewart Texas A&M
DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins Georgia
K Caden Davis Ole Miss
LB Eugene Asante Auburn
LB Jalen McLeod Auburn
LB Shemar James Florida
LB Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia
LB Jack Kiser Notre Dame
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. South Carolina
LS Austin Brinkman West Virginia
OL Carson Vinson Alabama A&M
OL Jonah Savaiinaea Arizona
OL Jacob Bayer Arkansas State
OL Clay Webb Jacksonville St.
OL Garrett Dellinger LSU
OL Miles Frazier LSU
OL Emery Jones LSU
OL Armand Membou Missouri
OL Willie Lampkin North Carolina
OL Jackson Slater Sacramento State
OL Logan Brown Kansas
P James Burnip Alabama
QB Jalen Milroe Alabama
QB Riley Leonard Notre Dame
QB Jaxson Dart Ole Miss
RB Jarquez Hunter Auburn
RB RJ Harvey Central Florida
RB Marcus Yarns Delaware
RB Devin Neal Kansas
RB Brashard Smith SMU
RB Trevor Etienne Georgia
TE CJ Dippre Alabama
TE Jake Briningstool Clemson
TE Mason Taylor LSU
TE Thomas Fidone II Nebraska
TE Jackson Hawes Georgia Tech
WR Isaac TeSlaa Arkansas
WR Chimere Dike Florida
WR Arian Smith Georgia
WR Tai Felton Maryland
WR Jamaal Pritchett South Alabama
WR Bru McCoy Tennessee
WR Jalen Royals Utah State
WR Jack Bech TCU

Senior Bowl players will aim to improve their stock ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, which will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.

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Full rosters for 2025 Senior Bowl

Here are the full rosters for the National and American squads in the 2025 Senior Bowl.

NFL teams are in Mobile, Alabama this week to watch the Reese’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Players from the National Team and American Team will compete to impress scouts ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

The 2025 Senior Bowl will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. MT) on Saturday, Feb. 1. The game will be televised on NFL Network.

View full rosters for both teams below, provided by the NCAA.

Senior Bowl Rosters 2025

National Team Roster 

Pos. First Name Last Name School
DB Azareye’h Thomas Florida State
DB Keondre Jackson Illinois State
DB Sebastian Castro Iowa
DB Darien Porter Iowa State
DB Quincy Riley Louisville
DB Rayuan Lane III Navy
DB Tommi Hill Nebraska
DB Trey Rucker Oklahoma State
DB Justin Barron Syracuse
DB Maxen Hook Toledo
DB Jaylin Smith USC
DB Jonas Sanker Virginia
DB Dorian Strong Virginia Tech
DB Bilhal Kone Western Michigan
DL Landon Jackson Arkansas
DL Donovan Ezeiruaku Boston College
DL Joshua Farmer Florida State
DL Yahya Black Iowa
DL Mike Green Marshall
DL Josaiah Stewart Michigan
DL Jah Joyner Minnesota
DL Ty Robinson Nebraska
DL Jamaree Caldwell Oregon
DL Darius Alexander Toledo
DL Junior Tafuna Utah
DL Aeneas Peebles Virginia Tech
K Ryan Fitzgerald Florida State
LB David Walker Central Arkansas
LB Cody Lindenberg Minnesota
LB Nick Martin Oklahoma State
LB Collin Oliver Oklahoma State
LB Jeffrey Bassa Oregon
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo UCLA
LB Karene Reid Utah
LS William Wagner Michigan
OL Ozzy Trapilo Boston College
OL Jalen Travis Iowa State
OL Jalen Rivers Miami (FL)
OL Aireontae Ersery Minnesota
OL Anthony Belton North Carolina State
OL Grey Zabel North Dakota State
OL Josh Conerly Jr. Oregon
OL Marcus Mbow Purdue
OL Caleb Rogers Texas Tech
OL Jonah Monheim USC
OL Wyatt Milum West Virginia
P Jeremy Crawshaw Florida
QB Taylor Elgersma Laurier
QB Tyler Shough Louisville
QB Dillon Gabriel Oregon
RB Damien Martinez Miami (FL)
RB Donovan Edwards Michigan
RB Ollie Gordon II Oklahoma State
RB LeQuint Allen Syracuse
RB Woody Marks USC
RB Bhayshul Tuten Virginia Tech
TE Harold Fannin Jr. Bowling Green
TE Elijah Arroyo Miami (FL)
TE Terrance Ferguson Oregon
TE Gavin Bartholomew Pittsburgh
TE Moliki Matavao UCLA
WR Pat Bryant Illinois
WR Jayden Higgins Iowa State
WR Jaylin Noel Iowa State
WR Xavier Restrepo Miami (FL)
WR Tez Johnson Oregon
WR Da’Quan Felton Virginia Tech
WR Jaylin Lane Virginia Tech
WR Kyle Williams Washington State

American Team Roster

Pos. First Name Last Name School
DB BJ Adams Central Florida
DB Mac McWilliams Central Florida
DB Dan Jackson Georgia
DB Jacob Parrish Kansas State
DB Maxwell Hairston Kentucky
DB Dante Trader Jr. Maryland
DB Billy Bowman Jr. Oklahoma
DB Trey Amos Ole Miss
DB Melvin Smith Southern Arkansas
DB Caleb Ransaw Tulane
DB Hunter Wohler Wisconsin
DB Upton Stout Western Kentucky
DB Johnathan Edwards Tulane
DL Tim Smith Alabama
DL Cam Jackson Florida
DL Deone Walker Kentucky
DL RJ Oben Notre Dame
DL Jared Ivey Ole Miss
DL Walter Nolen Ole Miss
DL Princely Umanmielen Ole Miss
DL Kyle Kennard South Carolina
DL T.J. Sanders South Carolina
DL Omarr Norman-Lott Tennessee
DL Barryn Sorrell Texas
DL Shemar Stewart Texas A&M
DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins Georgia
K Caden Davis Ole Miss
LB Eugene Asante Auburn
LB Jalen McLeod Auburn
LB Shemar James Florida
LB Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia
LB Jack Kiser Notre Dame
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. South Carolina
LS Austin Brinkman West Virginia
OL Carson Vinson Alabama A&M
OL Jonah Savaiinaea Arizona
OL Jacob Bayer Arkansas State
OL Clay Webb Jacksonville St.
OL Garrett Dellinger LSU
OL Miles Frazier LSU
OL Emery Jones LSU
OL Armand Membou Missouri
OL Willie Lampkin North Carolina
OL Jackson Slater Sacramento State
OL Logan Brown Kansas
P James Burnip Alabama
QB Jalen Milroe Alabama
QB Riley Leonard Notre Dame
QB Jaxson Dart Ole Miss
RB Jarquez Hunter Auburn
RB RJ Harvey Central Florida
RB Marcus Yarns Delaware
RB Devin Neal Kansas
RB Brashard Smith SMU
RB Trevor Etienne Georgia
TE CJ Dippre Alabama
TE Jake Briningstool Clemson
TE Mason Taylor LSU
TE Thomas Fidone II Nebraska
TE Jackson Hawes Georgia Tech
WR Isaac TeSlaa Arkansas
WR Chimere Dike Florida
WR Arian Smith Georgia
WR Tai Felton Maryland
WR Jamaal Pritchett South Alabama
WR Bru McCoy Tennessee
WR Jalen Royals Utah State
WR Jack Bech TCU

Senior Bowl players will aim to improve their stock ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, which will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.

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2025 East-West Shrine Bowl rosters for both teams

The East-West Shrine Bowl will be played tonight. Here are the rosters for both teams.

The 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT). The college all-star game will be nationally televised on NFL Network. View the full rosters of players participating in this year’s game below.

2025 East West Shrine Bowl Rosters

Quarterbacks

East:

  • Kyle McCord, Syracuse
  • Cam Miller, North Dakota State
  • Payton Thorne, Auburn

West:

  • Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
  • Ethan Garbers, UCLA
  • Brady Cook, Missouri

Running back

East:

  • Josh Williams, LSU
  • Montrell Johnson, Florida
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
  • Raheim Sanders, South Carolina

West:

  • Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
  • Corey Kinder, Cincinnati
  • Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
  • Phil Mafah, Clemson

Wide receiver

East:

  • Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington
  • Nick Nash, San Jose State
  • KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn
  • Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
  • Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee
  • Dominic Lovett, Georgia
  • Kaden Prather, Maryland
  • Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska
  • Theo Wease, Missouri
  • Jackson Meeks, Syracuse

West:

  • La’Johntay Wester, Colorado
  • Ricky White, UNLV
  • Antwane Wells, Ole Miss
  • Will Sheppard, Colorado
  • Sam Brown, Miami
  • Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado
  • Konata Mumpfield, Pitt
  • Traeshon Holden, Oregon
  • Jacolby George, Miami

Tight end

East:

  • Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
  • Oronde Gadsden Jr., Syracuse
  • Ben Yurosek, Georgia
  • Joshua Simon , South Carolina
  • Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

West:

  • Carter Runyon, Towson
  • Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
  • Luke Lachey, Iowa
  • Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss

Offensive line

East:

  • IOL Thomas Perry, Middlebury
  • IOL Joshua Gray, Oregon State
  • IOL Joe Huber, Wisconsin
  • IOL Aiden Williams, Minnesota Duluth
  • IOL Tyler Cooper, Minnesota
  • IOL Gareth Warren, Lindenwood
  • OL Sal Wormley, Penn State
  • OT Jordan Williams, Georgia Tech
  • OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State
  • OT Dalton Cooper, Oklahoma State
  • OT Xavier Truss, Georgia
  • OT Esa Pole, Washington State
  • OT Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas

West:

  • IOL Tim McKay, N.C. State
  • IOL Gus Hartwig, Purdue
  • IOL Marcus Wehr, Montana State
  • IOL Drew Kendall, Boston College
  • IOL Jack Conley, Boston College
  • IOL Luke Newman, Michigan State
  • IOL Nash Jones, Texas State
  • OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida
  • OT Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
  • OT John Williams, Cincinnati
  • OT Trey Wedig, Indiana

Defensive line, Edge, Linebackers

East:

  • DL Payton Page, Clemson
  • IDL JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
  • IDL Warren Brinson, Georgia
  • IDL Sean Martin, West Virginia
  • IDL Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
  • IDL Jay Toia, UCLA
  • IDL Joe Evans, UTSA
  • IDL Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
  • IDL Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska
  • IDL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
  • IDL Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech
  • EDGE Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
  • EDGE Johnny Walker, Missouri
  • EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
  • EDGE Que Robinson, Alabama
  • EDGE Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly
  • EDGE Tyler Baron, Miami
  • LB Chris Paul, Ole Miss
  • LB Deshawn Pace, UCF
  • LB Carson Bruener, Washington
  • LB Kain Medrano, UCLA
  • LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky
  • LB Francisco Mauigoa, Miami

West:

  • DT Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers
  • IDL Jordan Phillips, Maryland
  • IDL Cam Horsley, Boston College
  • IDL Eric Gregory, Arkansas
  • IDL CJ West, Indiana
  • IDL Tommy Akingbesote, Maryland
  • IDL Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU
  • EDGE Ethan Downs, Oklahoma
  • EDGE Elijah Roberts, SMU
  • EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
  • EDGE Tyler Batty, BYU
  • LB Greg Penn, LSU
  • LB Teddye Buchanan, Cal
  • LB Jackson Woodard, UNLV
  • LB Chandler Martin, Memphis
  • LB Aaron Smith, South Carolina State
  • LB Chaz Chambliss, Georgia
  • LB Bam Martin-Scott, South Carolina
  • LB Jay Higgins, Iowa
  • LB De’Rickey Wright, Vanderbilt

Defensive backs

East:

  • CB Ethan Robinson, Minnesota
  • DB Zah Frazier, UTSA
  • DB Glendon Miller, Maryland
  • DB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
  • DB Mike Smith, Eastern Kentucky
  • DB Corey Thornton, Louisville
  • DB O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
  • DB Marques Sigle, Kansas State
  • DB Isas Waxter, Villanova
  • DB Alijah Clark, Syracuse
  • DB Mello Dotson, Kansas
  • DB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
  • DB Tyron Herring, Delaware
  • DB Jalen Kimber, Penn State
  • S RJ Pickens, Clemson

West:

  • CB Jakob Robinson, BYU
  • DB Nohl Williams, Cal
  • DB Marcus Harris, Cal
  • DB Shamari Simmons, Arizona State
  • DB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
  • DB Shilo Sanders, Colorado
  • DB Craig Woodson, Cal
  • DB Zy Alexander, LSU
  • DB Garnett Hollis, West Virginia
  • DB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
  • DB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
  • DB Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, Colorado
  • DB Jordan Clark, Notre Dame
  • DB Jermari Harris, Iowa
  • DB Jason Marshall, Florida
  • S Donovan McMillon, Pitt

Specialists

East:

  • K Andres Borregales, Miami
  • LS Brent Matiscik, TCU
  • P Kai Kroeger, South Carolina

West:

  • K Ben Sauls, Pitt
  • LS Josh Wojciechowicz, Colorado School of Mines
  • P Luke Elzinga, Oklahoma

Shine Bowl players will aim to improve their stock ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, which will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.

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Saints offensive assistant Kevin Petry set to coach in the Senior Bowl

The Saints will have multiple representatives at the Senior Bowl this year, one of whom is offensive assistant Kevin Petry

The New Orleans Saints have always been a team that highly values Senior Bowl attendees, drafting them at a relatively high clip and always trying to take part in the event. This year seemingly will be no different, as they will have offensive assistant Kevin Petry coaching the wide receiver group for the American Team, which has quite a significant talent pool.

Petry has been coaching with the Saints for eight seasons now, entering his ninth, and has been with the organization for 12 years in various positions including as a video assistant early on. He will be able to get a first hand look at some of the wide receivers in this class, which is actually a position of need for the Saints this offseason to add some quality players to a group of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, and a few others who will remain beyond this year.

Elic Ayomanor is one of the names to really keep an eye on from this group, as he is one of the higher rated receivers outside the group of likely first-round talents. In two seasons with Stanford he accrued 125 receptions for 1,844 receiving yards (14.8 yards per reception) and 12 touchdowns.

Overall, having a coach (or multiple) at the Senior Bowl and other events is a positive regardless of outcome, as it gives them the ability to work with the players and see how they may mesh into the system of the team they represent.

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These college programs have the most alumni on NFL conference championship rosters

Wisconsin one of nine college football programs with five alumni in NFL conference championships

Wisconsin doesn’t boast the quantity of NFL talent that leads Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State to their annual position as national championship contenders.

One list provides that context. Alabama entered the 2024 NFL season with 77 alumni on active rosters. It was followed by Ohio State (66), LSU (65), Michigan (63), Georgia (62), Notre Dame (52), Penn State (49), Washington (47), Oklahoma (46) and Florida (43).

Wisconsin, meanwhile, sat tied for 22nd with 32 alumni in the league.

Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2024 season

Those counts describe each program’s success at the college level. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a direct correlation exists between NFL talent and on-field winning.

While Wisconsin is far from national title contention, and far from those listed alumni totals, it does fit into a special category of NFL success: The Badgers are one of just nine programs in college football with at least five program alumni set to play on NFL conference championship Sunday.

Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio State, and Illinois each boast five players, Penn State has six, Florida has seven, Georgia and Alabama have eight, and Oklahoma leads the way with nine.

One translation: While Wisconsin doesn’t produce the same number of NFL products that other programs do, the Badgers that do make it go on to become some of the best at their position.

Former Badgers set to play on Sunday are Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders), Michael Deiter (Commanders), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles), David Edwards (Buffalo Bills) and Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs).

Biadasz has been one of the NFL’s most steady centers over the past decade, first with Dallas and now with Washington. Deiter is a well-established backup in the league. Baun was a first-team All-Pro selection after a career-best year. Edwards is off one of the best seasons of his six-year career. Chenal, finally, is one of the more important members of a defense that has led the Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl titles.

That group doesn’t even include NFL-best pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Andrew Van Ginkel, or running back Jonathan Taylor.

Wisconsin doesn’t often sent quarterbacks, wide receivers or cornerbacks to the next level. Those who have seen the Badgers play over the last two decades may understand why. That said, a football fan would be hard-pressed to find a program with a better collection of players at linebacker, running back and offensive line.

Those five former Badgers leading teams into the conference championship round further proves that reality.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman to exit portal, return to the Badgers

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman to exit portal, return to the Badgers

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman Jamel Howard is withdrawing his name from the transfer portal and will return to the Badgers, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer.

Howard is the second Wisconsin scholarship player to do so, joining wide receiver Trech Kekahuna. His return drops the number of Wisconsin transfer departures to 23 players (that including Xavier Lucas, who technically never entered the portal).

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

Howard rejoins Wisconsin with three years of eligibility remaining. He  signed with the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023. He was the No. 1,213 player in the class, No. 130 defensive lineman and No. 26 recruit from Illinois. He was one of the several Paul Chryst commits (June 2022) to recommit to the class after Luke Fickell’s hire.

His return is significant news for a defensive line that underwent significant transfer movement this offseason. James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal transferred to Illinois. The room added experienced transfers Parker Petersen (Tulane), Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and Jay’Viar Suggs (LSU).

Howard slots in as a depth option in the room with a chance to win significant snaps after those veteran transfers graduate. He did not see the field on defense during his first two years with the program.

His return is also big news for Luke Fickell’s class of 2023, which faced having 12 of its 15 signees depart via the portal. Howard’s and Kekahuna’s return drop that number to 10. Those two are among five players that remain, joined by linebackers Christian Alliegro and Tyler Jansey and tight end Tucker Ashcraft.

For more on Wisconsin’s full transfer class and high-profile departures, check out our recap of the program’s winter portal window movement.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Report: Wisconsin transfer quarterback may sit out 2025 football season, redshirt for 2026

Tyler Van Dyke’s transfer from Wisconsin much more sense

Wisconsin veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke spent a full month in the transfer portal before committing to SMU on Jan. 8.

The former Badger has three-plus years of high-level starting experience under his belt, highlighted by a breakthrough 2021 season as a redshirt freshman at Miami. He also, however, is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Wisconsin’s Week 3 loss to Alabama. That latter reportedly played a role in his transfer destination.

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

ESPN’s David Hale took to X on Thursday to relay the following quote from SMU coach Rhett Lashlee: “We didn’t bring (Van Dyke) in to be the starter … or the backup.”

Hale wrote (Van Dyke is) still rehabbing and unlikely (to be) ready for the start of the season. (Probably a) redshirt year to train and rehab before one final go at a starting job in 2026.”

If true, this update adds a tremendous amount of clarity to Van Dyke’s transfer decision.

SMU returns starting quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance. Jennings excelled in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added 354 rushing yards and five rushing scores. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

After many questioned why Van Dyke would commit somewhere with a locked-in starter, his potentially sitting out 2025 to find a starting job in 2026 makes sense. That is supported by Van Dyke’s preexisting connection to SMU: Lashlee was his offensive coordinator during his breakout 2021 season with the Hurricanes.

Van Dyke didn’t play as a true freshman in 2020 at Miami, started from 2021-23, then played just two games in 2024 before the mentioned injury. 2025 would be his sixth collegiate season, giving way to an unprecedented seventh year in 2026. He hasn’t technically redshirted yet, as the 2020 season doesn’t count against eligibility. The veteran would be able to add that seventh season if he can secure a medical redshirt for the 2024 campaign, then a traditional redshirt for 2025.

He will work with Lashlee to rediscover the 2021 form that included 62.3 completion percentage, 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions and an ACC-best 9.0 yards per attempt.

This plan has not been confirmed, but it makes sense. It’s possible schools were reluctant to guarantee him a starting position given his health status. SMU presents a familiar environment where he can rehab and develop under Lashlee before possibly moving elsewhere for that final season.

It also continues to inform his departure from Wisconsin, which has since reworked its quarterback room under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

Van Dyke’s health will always be a big what-if surrounding Wisconsin’s 2024 season and Phil Longo’s tenure as offensive coordinator. Given he is reportedly unlikely to be ready for the start of 2025, a redshirt season at SMU seems like a best-case-scenario for every party involved.

Stay tuned as this story will likely gain clarity as spring practice begins in April.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Report: Wisconsin defensive star returning for 2025 season

Report: Wisconsin defensive star returning for 2025 season

Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman is returning to the Badgers for a fifth and final college season in 2025, according to The Athletic’s Jesse Temple.

Hallman is a sixth senior and joins right tackle Riley Mahlman, center Jake Renfro, outside linebacker Darryl Peterson, safety Preston Zachman, defensive tackle Ben Barten and outside linebacker Aaron Witt as players electing to return for 2025. The Athletic also confirmed Barten and Witt’s decisions.

Related: Where Wisconsin football transfers have signed so far

Hallman’s return is major news for a Wisconsin program that lost most of its cornerback depth during the winter transfer window. Five cornerbacks transferred out, pending Xavier Lucas’ ongoing situation, including several former top recruits. Wisconsin has added two experienced players at the position: Geimere Latimer (Jacksonville State) and D’Yoni Hill (Miami). Hallman’s return establishes the team’s starting trio at the position, a group that was a complete unknown 10 days ago.

Hallman played all 12 games for Wisconsin in 2024, totaling 16 tackles and four pass deflections. His lack of numbers speak more than anything — opposing offenses almost entirely avoided his side of the field. Those tallies followed a breakout 2023 season that included 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven interceptions and five pass deflections.

Wisconsin has experienced major roster turnover since the winter window began in early December. Twenty-four players have departed (including Lucas), while the program has added 19 (18 scholarship, one walk-on).

The Badgers reportedly remain in pursuit of several experienced edge rushers. Otherwise, the program has addressed most of its pressing needs. Hallman’s return removes ‘cornerback’ from that list.

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Packers must act fast to fill open roster spots before playoffs

Will the Packers make any additions to the roster after placing CB Jaire Alexander on IR and losing WR Christian Watson to a season-ending injury?

The Green Bay Packers face significant roster challenges after losing two key players, cornerback Jaire Alexander and wide receiver Christian Watson, over the weekend.

On Saturday, the team placed Alexander on injured reserve. He is required to sit out the next four games, which means he could only return if the Packers make it to the Super Bowl. Alexander has played only 10 snaps since spraining his PCL in Green Bay’s Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Watson suffered a non-contact knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Watson suffered a torn ACL and potentially other damage to his knee. LaFleur confirmed on Monday that Watson is out for the rest of the season.

When asked about the two open spots on the roster, LaFleur said he had spoken with general manager Brian Gutekunst about that Monday morning.

“I think we’re looking at everything right now,” said LaFleur.

Obviously, it will be impossible to replace Alexander and Watson. Alexander is one of the best corners in the league when healthy, while Watson is a versatile weapon on offense whose size and speed are hard to replicate.

Plus, if the Packers want it to be someone who can potentially contribute to a playoff run, it would probably have to be a couple of players from the practice squad or players who are already familiar with their scheme.

The Packers will have to act fast if they plan on making any additions to their roster. According to the NFL calendar, beginning at 4:00 pm EST on Wednesday, January 8, team rosters will be frozen for clubs participating in the postseason with limited exceptions.