Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) as defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) gets a hand on him during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

24 former Wisconsin Badgers begin 2025 season on NFL active rosters

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 6:04 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers remain well represented in the pros as the NFL begins its season this weekend.

The team hasn't had as many high-profile draft picks in recent years, but the pipeline from Madison is still feeding the professional ranks ever year.

According to the school, Wisconsin has 24 former players on NFL 53-man rosters entering Week 1, plus three players on teams' practice squads and three more who have been placed on injured reserve.

Good luck this season to all of our NFL Badgers! #OnWisconsin x #MadeInMadison pic.twitter.com/xa1EbfQCzD
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) September 3, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the way with four former Badgers: outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig and defensive linemen Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk.

The Indianapolis Colts have three, if you count rookie seventh-round safety Hunter Wohler on injured reserve. The Dolphins only have one active Wisconsin player in fullback Alec Ingold, though tight end Hayden Rucci is on their practice squad and cornerback Jason Maitre is on injured reserve.

The Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Washington Commanders all have two ex-Badgers.

It's no surprise that nine of the 24 active players are offensive linemen (plus a 10th on a practice squad)

Five are defensive linemen or edge rushers, four are off-ball linebackers, three are running backs and the group is rounded out by a quarterback (Russell Wilson), a tight end (Jake Ferguson) and a fullback (Ingold).

Tanner Mordecai nearly gave Wisconsin a second quarterback in the NFL, as he was on the San Francisco 49ers injured reserve, but he reached an injury settlement with the team on Wednesday and was released.

The list does not include former Badgers who finished their college careers with other programs, like quarterback Graham Mertz on the Houston Texans' active roster.