Tag: safeties

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.

Badgers senior safety leads defensive effort in win over Rutgers

Badgers safety leads defensive effort against Rutgers

Wisconsin free safety Preston Zachman captained the defensive charge in Wisconsin’s 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.

The redshirt senior finished the game with a team-best 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss while accompanying star strong safety Hunter Wohler, cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean and cornerback Ricardo Hallman in the defensive backfield.

Zachman also reeled in his team-leading second interception of the 2024 season after securing a tipped ball in Rutgers’ territory early in the third quarter.

The 6-foot-1 defender’s previous interception arrived in Wisconsin’s fourth game of the year against USC, which held the No. 13 spot in the nation when UW traveled to Los Angeles in Week 5 of the season.

https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1845167940615929917

On a day where Wisconsin’s offensive stars may overshadowed what occurred in defense, Mike Tressel’s unit absolutely dominated from the first sequence to the final play of the game. The group allowed just one touchdown on Saturday, denied five pass attempts and forced nine Scarlet Knight punts in a the 35-point win.

A season ago, Zachman totaled a career-high 49 tackles and two interceptions for the Badgers in his first season playing 13 games for UW. Barring any injury, he will continue to start alongside Wohler for the remainder of the season.

Broncos notch two safeties in first half against Seahawks

The Broncos scored 13 points and didn’t have a touchdown in the first half

The Denver Broncos scored 13 points in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday without the benefit of a touchdown.

Wil Lutz kicked three field goals and Denver managed to get four more points on a pair of safeties.

The Broncos led 13-9 at the break.

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. 

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. 

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 safety’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.

Wisconsin safety listed for 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Wisconsin safety listed for 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler was included on the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday.

Wohler joins long snapper Cayson Pfieffer as current Badgers to earn preseason watch list recognition. Since 1993, the Nagurski Trophy has recognized the best defensive player in college football.

Notable recent winners include Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts (2023), Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. (2021-22), Ohio State’s Chase Young (2019), Kentucky’s Josh Allen (2018) and NC State’s Bradley Chubb (2017).

The 2024 batch of contenders includes 75 defensive players spread across 56 schools in nine Division I FBS conferences. Nine Big Ten schools are represented by the 16 Big Ten defenders to make the list. Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan and Oregon own 11 of those 16 spots.

Wohler enters his fourth season in Madison after registering his most dominant statistical season in 2023. The Muskego, Wisconsin native led all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles and 74 solo tackles.

That production led to First team All-Big Ten (AP) nods and a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award after recording 10 tackles and two interceptions against Georgia Southern on Sept. 18.

Wohler will undoubtedly serve as one of Wisconsin’s most crucial players this fall. In an expanded 18-team conference littered with offensive talent, the Badgers’ safety will have his hands full.

Opportunities on the national stage can catapult Wohler up these types of lists and into earlier rounds in the 2025 NFL draft.

UW will begin its season on Aug, 30 against Western Michigan.

WATCH: Wisconsin star safety throws out first pitch at Brewers game

WATCH: Wisconsin star safety throws out first pitch at Brewers game

Wisconsin football star safety Hunter Wohler threw out the first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers game on Friday night.

The short clip shows Wohler’s trot out to the mound while Brewers public address announcer Mark Richards introduces the Badger safety to the crowd at American Family Field.

Upon reaching the mound, Wohler squares up and delivers a perfect strike to right-handed pitcher Josh Knoth.

“Probably could’ve put some more heat on it but baby was right down the middle,” Wohler said of the pitch on X.

On the gridiron, Wohler enters his senior season after being named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press and leading all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles in 2023.

He ranked first among all qualified DBs in the nation with 74 solo tackles last season and became the first Big Ten defensive back to record over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

If he replicates that output, Wohler will certainly boost his stock ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

The Badgers will kick-start training camp at UW-Platteville in the coming days.

Wisconsin star among best safeties in EA Sports College Football 25

Wisconsin star among best safeties in EA Sports College Football 25

Wisconsin star safety Hunter Wohler is tied for the fourth-highest overall rating among his position group in the newly-released EA Sports College Football 25 video game.

The Wisconsin native lands at a 90 overall, the same mark as Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman, Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr. and Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs (95 OVR) and Georgia’s Malaki Starks (95 OVR) are tied with the highest overall rating among safeties.

Iowa’s Sebastian Castro and Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. also landed above Wohler at a 92 and 91 overall respectively. The senior is the No. 84 overall player in the game and the No. 3-ranked strong safety behind Virginia’s Jonas Sanker (92 OVR) and Winston Jr. (91 OVR).

Wohler enters the 2024 campaign after being named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press and leading all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles in 2023. His 74 solo tackles last season also ranked No. 1 among all qualified defensive backs in college football. The safety’s strong effort led him to becoming the first Big Ten defensive back to record over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

Alongside Wohler, Wisconsin star cornerback Ricardo Hallman comes in at 91 overall in the video game. Badgers’ starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke lands at an 83 overall rating, and star wide receiver Will Pauling is ranked at 86 overall. The Badgers are the No. 18-ranked team in the game with an overall rating of 87.

EA Sports College Football 25 became available to the public on July 15.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick slides in new ESPN rankings

The Steelers are still trying to figure out how to best utilize Minkah Fitzpatrick.

It’s not Minkah Fitzpatrick’s fault that the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coaches don’t know what to do with him. Since trading for Fitzpatrick, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin seems to have alternated seasons where they let Fitzpatrick play his style of football and followed it up with a season where they handcuffed him to be a run stuffer.

This failing by Austin is why when ESPN asked NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank their Top 10 safeties in the league, Fitzpatrick fell from No. 1 in 2023 to No. 4 in 2024.

One personnel evaluator hit the nail on the head:

He was playing closer to the line of scrimmage this year — not sure why, maybe they needed his leadership and instincts up there, but it hurt his bottom line.

The hope is that with additions the Steelers made on defense, especially linebacker Patrick Queen, Fitzpatrick can go back to what makes him elite. The coaches did acknowledge it this offseason so this should help them focus their defense on the things their best players do well.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Wisconsin star among PFF’s top returning safeties in college football

Wisconsin star among PFF’s top returning safeties in college football

Wisconsin star Hunter Wohler was listed at No. 8 in ProFootballFocus’ recent ranking of the top 10 returning college football safeties entering 2024.

The Wisconsin native landed just above Alabama’s Keon Sabb and West Virginia’s Aubrey Burks, who earned No. 9 and No. 10, respectively in PFF’s ranking.

Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman, Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr., Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa and Michigan’s Rod Moore rounded out the top 10, ranked ahead of UW’s talented defensive back.

Wohler was named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press a season ago and led all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles.

The safety’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 DB to post over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

The junior captained Wisconsin’s top-25 scoring defense as UW’s most dependable defender throughout the 2023 campaign, and he will look to lead Mike Tressel’s unit once again before he likely declares for the 2025 NFL draft.

Wisconsin football extends preferred walk-on offer to class of 2025 safety

Wisconsin football extends preferred walk-on offer to class of 2025 safety

The Wisconsin Badgers extended a preferred walk-on offer to in-state class of 2025 safety Nolan Anderson on Wednesday.

The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin product ventured to Madison for an unofficial visit earlier today before receiving his first Big Ten offer.

The 5-foot-10 180-pound three-star is a rising senior at Menomonee Falls High School. 247Sports considers Anderson an athlete, but both On3 and Wisconsin insider Jon McNamara consider the potential Badger a safety.

247 ranks him as the No. 165 overall athlete and No. 17 recruit from Wisconsin for the class of 2025.

Anderson has received seven offers thus far from Air Force, Army, Central Michigan, Northern Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin and St. Thomas.

Wisconsin has added commitments from 20 class of 2025 players thus far, enough to vault them into Rivals’ No. 4 spot in the national rankings. The program has added nine commitments since the start of June — Four-star OT Logan Powell, four-star LB Mason Posa and four-star WR  Eugene Hilton Jr. leading that group.

The Badgers are still in the running for several of their top targets in the class, and Luke Fickell’s impressive class of 2025 will continue to balloon as the summer progresses.