Every former Wisconsin Badger in the NFL entering 2023 training camp
The 2023 NFL season kicks off 45 days from today, and teams across the league are already convening for preseason camp.
The time period represents different things for different players. For undrafted free agents and those looking to stick on an NFL roster, training camp represents hope. For the established veterans, it’s a time to get back in the swing of football and prepare for the season.
There are former Wisconsin Badgers that fall into both categories listed. Right now there are more than 30 former Badgers preparing for camp, that including everyone from undrafted free agent Tyler Beach to future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson.
While this list is subject to change as rosters are cut, here is every former Wisconsin Badger on an NFL roster as of July 24, 2023:
RB Corey Clement -- Arizona Cardinals
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2016
NFL Season: 6th
Notes: 2017 Super Bowl Champion (Philadelphia), 100 receiving yards in the Super Bowl
RB Melvin Gordon -- Baltimore Ravens
Years at Wisconsin: 2011-2014
NFL Season: 9th
Notes: Two-time Pro Bowler (2016, 2018), 69 career touchdowns, one 1000-yard rushing season (2017)
OG Kevin Zeitler -- Baltimore Ravens
Years at Wisconsin: 2008-2011
NFL Season: 12th
Notes: Most NFL snaps at non-QB position since 2012 (11,054), 166 career starts
OG David Edwards -- Buffalo Bills
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Started all 17 games for Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams team in 2021
LB T.J. Edwards -- Chicago Bears
Years at Wisconsin: 2014-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Went from undrafted free agent to starting all 17 games for NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, signed 3-year, $19.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears this offseason
LB Jack Sanborn -- Chicago Bears
Years at Wisconsin: 2018-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Made Chicago Bears roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent, started six games in 2022 before injury ended his season
C Tyler Biadasz -- Dallas Cowboys
Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2019
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Took over for Cowboys-great, Wisconsin product Travis Frederick in 2020, started 33 of 34 possible games over the last two seasons
TE Jake Ferguson -- Dallas Cowboys
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Caught 19 passes for 174 yards, 2 touchdowns in rookie season. Could win starting job this season with Dalton Schultz in Houston
DE Matt Henningsen -- Denver Broncos
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Registered one sack last year in limited action. 6th-round pick of the Broncos in 2022.
CB Faion Hicks -- Denver Broncos
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Appeared in two games for Broncos last year. 7th-round pick in 2022 still looking for a permanent roster spot.
QB Russell Wilson -- Denver Broncos
Years at Wisconsin: 2011
NFL Season: 12th
Notes: Nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion with Seattle (2014). One of the best quarterbacks of the generation.
OL Tyler Beach -- Houston Texans
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Signed with Houston Texans as undrafted free agent in 2023
OL Michael Deiter -- Houston Texans
Years at Wisconsin: 2014-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Third-round pick of Dolphins in 2019. Started 15 games at left guard in 2019, only eight starts since
RB Dare Ogunbowale -- Houston Texans
Years at Wisconsin: 2012-2016
NFL Season: 7th
Notes: Former undrafted free agent now on his fourth team in seven years. Appeared in all 17 games each of the last two seasons, primarily on special teams
RB Jonathan Taylor -- Indianapolis Colts
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2019
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro in 2021. Led NFL that season in carries (332), rushing yards (1811) and yards-per-game (106.5)
WR Kendric Pryor -- Jacksonville Jaguars
Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2020
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Jaguars claimed Pryor in August of 2022. Spent the entire season on Jacksonville’s practice squad
OL Cole Van Lanen -- Jacksonville Jaguars
Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2020
NFL Season: 3rd
Notes: 6th-round pick of the Packers in 2021. Traded to Jaguars in August of 2022.
LB Leo Chenal -- Kansas City Chiefs
Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: Super Bowl Champion with Chiefs (2022). Appeared in all 17 games last year with eight starts.
OG Logan Bruss -- Los Angeles Rams
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021
NFL Season: 2nd
Notes: 3rd-round pick of Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
OT Rob Havenstein -- Los Angeles Rams
Years at Wisconsin: 2010-2014
NFL Season: 9th
Notes: 2nd-round pick of Rams in 2015. Entering 9th season with the team which has included a Super Bowl (2021), 116 starts at right tackle
FB Alec Ingold -- Miami Dolphins
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: One of the last true fullbacks remaining in the NFL. Has scored touchdowns in each of his four NFL seasons
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel -- Miami Dolphins
Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Scored a 78-yard fumble recovery in 2020, appeared in every game for the Dolphins in each of the last three seasons.
LB Zack Baun -- New Orleans Saints
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2019
NFL Season: 4th
Notes: Second-round pick of the Saints in 2020. 45 career games, eight starts with most of his action being on special teams.
LB Ryan Connelly -- New Orleans Saints
Years at Wisconsin: 2014-2018
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: 5th-round pick of the Giants in 2019. Bounced to and from the Vikings practice squad for much of 2022 and 2023.
OT Ryan Ramczyk -- New Orleans Saints
Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2016
NFL Season: 7th
Notes: Former first-round pick. Earned irst-Team All-Pro honors in 2019 and has 89 starts at right tackle in first six years with the Saints.
WR Alex Erickson -- New York Jets
Years at Wisconsin: 2012-2015
NFL Season: 8th
Notes: Made his career in Cincinnati as a punt/kick returner. Led NFL in kick returns in 2018 (40), kick return yards in 2016 (810), punt returns in 2017 (39) and total return yards in 2016 (1005).
C Joe Tippmann -- New York Jets
Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Second-round pick of the Jets in 2023.
DT Keeanu Benton -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Second-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.
OLB Nick Herbig -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Years at Wisconsin: 2020-2022
NFL Season: 1st
Notes: Fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.
DT Isaiahh Loudermilk -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2020
NFL Season: 3rd
Notes: Appeared in 26 games in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. Has one career sack, 30 career tackles.
OLB T.J. Watt -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2016
NFL Season: 7th
Notes: Five-time Pro Bowler (2018-2022), three-time First-Team All-Pro (2019-2021). Led NFL in sacks in 2020 (15), 2021 (22.5). 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year.
TE Troy Fumagalli -- San Francisco 49ers
Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2017
NFL Season: 5th
Notes: Spent first three NFL seasons in Denver. Has since spent time on New England and San Francisco’s practice squad.
CB Rachad Wildgoose -- Washington Commanders
Years at Wisconsin: 2018-2020
NFL Season: 3rd
Notes: Spent first two years with the Jets and Commanders respectively. Started three games for Washington in 2022.