The Badgers could have several players see their names called this weekend in the draft.
The Wisconsin Badgers have a few draft prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, as players such as Hunter Wohler are poised to hear their name called this weekend.
With the draft starting on Thursday, let’s look at projections for where Wisconsin’s potential draft prospects could see their names called this weekend.
S Hunter Wohler: Rounds 5-7
Wohler is expected to be Wisconsin’s top prospect in this year’s draft class, but the safety is currently projected to go on Day 3.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler gave Wohler a fifth-round grade and ranked him as the No. 14 safety in the class, while having the following to say about the Wisconsin safety.
“A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Wohler lined up at strong safety in defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s 2-4-5 base scheme,” Brugler wrote. “He led the Badgers in tackles each of his two seasons as a starter, and the defense looked completely different in the one game he missed in 2024.”
“Despite his short arms, Wohler is automatic as a tackler with his ability to work down, wrap and finish one-on-one (averaged eight tackles per game over the past two seasons). He shows some promise covering in underneath zones, but savvy route runners can get him turned around, and his recovery skills are mediocre. Overall, Wohler is a one-speed athlete and will be limited as a true coverage player at the next level, but his read-react ability and competitive edge versus the run should give him NFL value. He might not be an ideal starter, but he has the tools to hang around as a quality depth piece and special-teamer.”
Additionally, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein had a similar profile, having a sixth-to-seventh round grade on Wohler.
“Two-year starting safety whose activity level reaches beyond what his athletic capabilities can handle at times,” Zierlein wrote. “Wohler spent much of his time as an add-on run defender who rushed in to be part of the action. He’s a run-and-hit tackler in space but a lack of burst and top-end speed causes him to lose pursuit angles and miss out on tackles. He can cover tight ends but doesn’t have the range to play over the top or the open-field athleticism to survive against NFL receivers in space. Special teams play could be the key to Wohler maintaining a roster spot as an NFL backup at strong safety.”
OL Jack Nelson: Rounds 5-6
Nelson falls in a similar range to Wohler as a Day 3 offensive tackle in this class, and best projects to right tackle at the next level. Brugler handed the offensive lineman a fifth-to-sixth round grade, while listing him as the No. 17 offensive tackle in the class.
“A four-year starter at Wisconsin, Nelson lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s zone-based, Air Raid scheme (although he believes his best position is at right tackle),” Brugler wrote. “The son of an NFL draft pick, he grew up in an offensive line family and learned under four offensive line coaches in Madison, making key improvements from his junior to senior seasons.
“Nelson has functional athleticism in his setup to handle swing-tackle duties, although reps can get away from him at times because of inconsistent posture and balance. His run-game tape shows better promise with his lateral maneuvers to reach defenders and his range on backside zone and gap-side cutoffs. Overall, Nelson is an instinctive, skilled blocker with the baseline traits for the next level, although he might be a “master of none” type of blocker, which could relegate him to backup status.”
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein had a fifth-round grade on Nelson, highlighting his athleticism for the position.
“Durable four-year starter with Wisconsin football racing through his blood,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s a better run blocker than pass protector on tape, with the quickness and athleticism to find his landmarks on move blocks. He operates with good strain and technique on base and drive blocks but won’t create much push. Nelson’s pass sets can feel frantic with disheveled footwork, inconsistent body control and an anchor that could struggle to withstand NFL speed-to-power. He needs to get stronger, but his instincts and awareness in protection could pair with his range as a move blocker for consideration by zone-heavy teams.”
OL Joe Huber: Rounds 5-6
The underrated Wisconsin prospect in this year’s draft is guard Joe Huber, who could play any position on the interior at the next level.
Ranked the No. 13 guard in the class by Brugler, Huber has a fifth-to-sixth round grade.
“A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Huber lined up at right guard in former offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s zone-based, Air Raid scheme,” Brugler wrote. “After not playing offensive line until his senior year of high school, he showed steady growth each year and honed his craft learning under four different offensive line coaches in college.
“Huber grew into his frame without sacrificing his foot quickness. He plays with alert eyes and the physical mentality of a former walk-on (not very outgoing, but he abides by the phrase “From my silence comes violence,” which was turned into a popular t-shirt). Though he has some range, he needs to address some of his sloppy tendencies in the run game — he often got too wide or overextended himself, which showed up against the tougher opponents on the 2024 schedule (Alabama, Penn State, Oregon). Overall, Huber might not have a true distinguishing trait, but he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses that would keep him from becoming a depth piece on an NFL roster. He is best suited for a power-based scheme and offers proven versatility on the interior.”
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein agreed with the sentiment, evaluating Huber with a fifth-to-sixth round grade as well.
“Scheme-friendly interior lineman with guard/center flexibility. Huber is an athletic blocker who is quick off the ball. He plays with body control and accuracy as a pulling guard and on work-ups off of duo blocks, but he lacks the length and mass to win consistently against NFL power. He leans forward at times, creating quick losses at the point of attack and in protection. Huber is athletic in recovery mode, but he needs to calm his feet during pass sets and eliminate edge leakage. Huber projects as a solid backup whose ceiling could be defined by a coach’s ability to correct lunging and leaning.”
Potential late-round picks/UDFAs
Wisconsin could see other prospects sneak into the late rounds, but it’s likelier that they end up as undrafted free agents. Of the bunch, the top prospect would likely be wide receiver Bryson Green, who had injury issues the last two years but tested extremely well at Wisconsin’s Pro Day.
Here’s what Zierlein had to say about the former Badgers wide receiver.
“Green shows flashes worthy of developmental consideration. He’s an explosive athlete with good size, adequate top-end speed and long limbs,” Zierlein wrote. “However, his route breaks tend to be too gradual and telegraphed, leading to tighter coverage. He was more competitive when contested in 2024, but still needs to utilize his size and physicality more frequently against defensive backs. There might be enough untapped potential for Green to garner a stash-and-develop label on a practice squad.”
Stay tuned for our draft coverage of the Badgers this weekend!
P.S.: If you’re interested in draft content and if you are attending the draft in Green Bay, check out tickets to Cam Heyward’s podcast.