Two-pack of Wisconsin Badgers- 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

The 2024 college football season is coming to an end, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a two pack of Wisconsin players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

Tackle Jack Nelson, Wisconsin

• 6-foot-7 311 lbs
• 2024 stats: 12 starts

Jack Nelson attended high school at Stoughton High School in Wisconsin, where he was a decorated offensive lineman on the football team. Nelson was a four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals and was given the Joe Thomas Award as the state's top senior offensive lineman. Nelson also was a three-year letterwinner in basketball and a three-time high honor roll student. Although he had several offers, Nelson decided to stay close to home, committing to the University of Wisconsin.

Nelson took a redshirt in 2020 after only playing in one game for the Badgers. As a sophomore, he started all 13 games at right guard and helped pave the way for the No.2 rushing offense in the Big Ten. He switched from guard to left tackle in 2022 and started all 12 games, recording a 83.1 pass blocking rating via PFF. In 2023, Nelson started in all 13 games at left tackle.

Nelson started all 12 games in 2024 and at the end of year he accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

What to like about Jack Nelson

Nelson's positional flexibility allows him to play guard and tackle on either side of the ball and this will strengthen his draft stock. He is a hard working run blocker who has a nasty side and will not hesitate to drive defenders back and into the ground through the whistle. He's very smart and will call out blitzes and stunts and understands the assignments for the whole offensive line. When pass blocking, Nelson has a strong lower half and can anchor down against the bigger and faster defenders.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Nelson is not the most nimble tackle coming out in 2025. He will struggle to be able to get to the second level or to be used in the flat to help spring a play. Nelson's hands are slow to recover when initially beat on blocks. When pass blocking, his footwork is choppy and leads to him lunging and losing his balance. His balance issues also make it hard for him to sustain his blocks, and to be able to slide from side to side fluidly. His hand placement when run blocking is not ideal, and he tends to get away with just being more physical than the defender. This will be a problem at the NFL level.

Pro Comparison

Kaleb McGary

Kaleb McGary is a good comparison to Jack Nelson. McGary lacks the fluid movement that most NFL teams look for at tackle. Although McGary hasn't moved inside yet, he offers the flexibility to line up at guard or tackle and projects as either a right tackle or a depth piece used all over the line. 

Draft Projection

Fifth-Round pick

Safety Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

• 6-foot-2 209 lbs
• 2024 stats: 11 games 71 tackles 6 passes defended

Hunter Wohler attended Muskego High School in Wisconsin , where he had an outstanding high school football career. During his senior season, he recorded 78 tackles and two interceptions, and was named the 2021 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year Award. During his career, he was twice named Associated Press Wisconsin Player of the Year. Wohler, a consensus four-star recruit, decided to stay home and commit to the University of Wisconsin.

As soon as Wohler arrived at Madison he saw the field. He appeared in all 13 games, and was credited with 17 tackles, including three tackles for a loss and one sack.His sophomore season was cut short after six games when he suffered a leg injury. He made his first start of his career and was seeing regular time in the secondary at the time of his injury. He finished his year with 21 tackles, two tackles for a loss and one interception. 

Wohler had his breakout season in 2023 for the Badgers starting all 13 games and leading the Badgers and all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 tackles, the most for a Badger DB since 1991 (Reggie Holt). During the season he also added two interceptions, one sack and six passes defended. He was named First team All-Big Ten by the AP.

In 2024, he started 11 games and collected 71 tackles and six passes defended. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big 10 after the season. After the season, Wohier accepted his invite to the Senior Bowl.

What to like about Hunter Wohler

The first thing that stands out about Hunter Wohler is his size and frame. He has an NFL-type build to withstand the physicality at the next level. He's exceptional at stepping up and stopping the run and his mechanics are textbook, breaking down well to ensure he wraps up the ball carrier. Wohler has the ability to be an effective pass rusher from the back end, and can line up all over the formations. He can be used in the box and can come at opponents from many different directions. He is one of those players who always seems to be around the ball, and he has a penchant for making big plays.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Wohler lacks the speed needed to make him an elite sideline-to-sideline single-high safety. In college he has gotten by on instincts and hustle, which may not translate to the faster league. He has tight hips and his mechanics and footwork limit his ability in changing direction. When he lines up in the box, he may have issues with shedding blocks against bigger offensive lineman. Wohler can be baited into some fake steps with play action and pump fakes, and he lacks the makeup speed once he commits.

Pro Comparison

Kam Curl

Hunter Wohler shares a lot of the same attributes that Draft Nation saw in Kam Curl when he came out of Arkansas in 2020. Curl was drafted in the seventh round by the Commanders, and has quietly become one of the best tacking safeties in the game. Curl lacks the elite sideline-to-sideline speed, but has adapted to the NFL game. Draft Nation feels that Wohler has more big play potential and should be able to make his mark in the NFL as well. 

Draft Projection

Fourth or Fifth round pick