Three Wisconsin football players (Joe Tippman, Keanu Benton, and Nick Herbig) will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, marking the seventh year in a row that three or more Badgers have been selected in the annual event. became.
That performance will be put to the test this year, with UW running back Braylon Allen and offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini the only two candidates for selection.
more:Here is a list of Wisconsin high school players selected in the NFL Draft since 1990, as well as a list of notable players before that.
Allen, famously only 20 years old from Fond du Lac, ran for over 100 yards in 20 games at Wisconsin and amassed 3,494 rushing yards in his career, which ranks him ninth on the University of California's all-time rushing list. That's a score that's in.
Bortolini, a Kewaunee native, will continue the trend of UW players being drafted into the NFL, but his stock could have improved significantly after performing impressively in NFL Scouting Combine testing. . He played games at guard, center, and tackle during his college career.
The last time UW took just two players was in 2016, when Joe Schobert and Derek Watt were selected in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Wisconsin hasn't had more than one player selected since 2007, when Joe Thomas was the only Badger left with the No. 3 overall pick.
Neither of this year's top UW prospects will be selected in the first round, but what will happen on day two of the draft? Of the national writers who created complete seven-round mock drafts, here's where two Badgers ended up.
braylon allen
It's a lot of variance for Allen, but there are points of interest scattered throughout the draft, starting with the third round, where the Packers could be a potential candidate. Green Bay needs at least one running back in the draft, and probably more with the return of AJ Dillon and the arrival of Josh Jacobs. Will they consider children back home? Could Dallas get one pick ahead of the Packers and steal Allen?
Tanor Bortolini
- Pro Football Network: 3rd round (81st place) vs. Seattle Seahawks
- CBS Sports:4th round (104th place) vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Athletic: 4th round (117th place) vs. Indianapolis Colts
- NFL.com: 4th round (124th place) vs. San Francisco 49ers
- ESPN:4th round (124th place) vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Sports news: 5th round (141st place) vs. Carolina Panthers
- PFF: 5th round (161st place) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Most mock drafts don't project Bortolini to be taken on Day 2, but he would be borderline, especially given his performance on Day 2, given his versatility. It stands to reason that a lineman with a 20-year lead would be an attractive option for a team regardless of the immediate need. NFL Scouting Combine.
Isaac Gerend
- Sports news: 5th round (147th place) vs. Denver Broncos
- Athletic: 5th round (153rd place) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- CBS Sports: 5th round (154th place) vs. Los Angeles Rams
- PFF: 5th round (No.172) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- EPSN: 5th round (176th place) vs. San Francisco 49ers
- NFL.com: Round 6 (205th place) vs. Detroit Lions
- Pro Football Network: Round 7 (246th place) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerendo spent most of his career at Wisconsin before getting his breakout chance at Louisville in 2023, his final year of eligibility. He also performed well at the combine and was always notorious for his unique combination of size and tremendous speed. Most mock drafts have him feeling like a good fit for the fifth round.
Some players could become undrafted free agents or sneak into the later rounds.
If the Badgers' third player is drafted, it wouldn't be the first surprise in the NFL Draft. Candidates who will be at least undrafted free agents after the draft:
- Linebacker Maema Nyongmeta attended the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Cornerback Jason Maitre is Wisconsin's No. 1 nickel corner in 2023.
- Tight end Hayden Lucci announced his transfer to the NFL after the season.
- Quarterback Tanner Mordecai spent one season at UW after transferring from SMU, throwing for over 2,000 yards and nine touchdowns, despite missing just 10 games due to injury. He also performed well at his pro day.
