Tony Pauline's 2025 NFL Draft projections for Wisconsin: Expert previews Hunter Wohler, Jack Nelson, and more

The Badgers are still undergoing a transition with second-year head coach Luke Fickell. Gone are the days of the power-running game that rules the day in Madison; rather, Fickell will install the diverse offense that brought him success in Cincinnati.

Yet the program will continue its tradition of placing offensive linemen, safeties, and one-gap pass rushers in the NFL Draft.

Wisconsin Badgers NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Hunter Wohler

Safety Hunter Wohler is graded as a middle-round prospect by scouts I’ve spoken with, but in the end, I believe he’ll end up a Day 2 pick.

Wohler has the size (6-foot-1.5, 214 pounds), athleticism, and intelligence to play a variety of roles in secondary. He can line up as a natural free safety and play downhill in the zone, and he’s comfortable playing over the slot receiver.

Hunter Wohler - NCAA Football (Northwestern at Wisconsin)

Wohler is tough against the run and effective in coverage. If he ups his game, Wohler will end up a top-45 pick.

The Badgers are near historic, placing outstanding blockers in the draft, and this year they have two very good ones.

#2 Riley Mahlman

Everyone loves left tackle Jack Nelson, but I prefer junior right tackle Riley Mahlman.

Mahlman blocks with tremendous fundamentals, strength, and intensity. He’s an explosive run blocker who turns defenders off the line and anchors in pass protection, controlling opponents at the point of attack.

Riley Mahlman - NCAA Football

He’s effective with his hands, keeps his head on a swivel, and works blocks. Mahlman lacks range and footwork in pass protection, but he will be a very good right tackle on Sundays.

#3 Jack Nelson

Right tackle is the position that Badgers left tackle Jack Nelson will have to move to on Sundays. Nelson is a player who really impressed me as a sophomore, as he has a lot of the same attributes as his teammate.

Jack Nelson - Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA Football)

But Nelson’s game never really improved, and I don’t believe he’s that much better of a player today than he was three years ago. Word was that Nelson bypassed the draft for NIL money in the hopes he'd improve his game and turn into a first-round pick.

#4 John Pius

Keep an eye on John Pius, who I believe is being woefully underrated. Pius was a sensational pass rusher the past two seasons at William & Mary, accumulating a combined 21 sacks and 35 TFLs before transferring to Wisconsin.

He has linebacker size at 6-foot-2.5, 245 pounds, and is estimated to run the 40 in just over 4.5 seconds. Pius was not just an upfield playmaker; rather, he showed a lot of ability to pursue action and make tackles in space. Pius will be a natural in the Badgers scheme and will be turning heads in 2024.

Wisconsin's 2025 NFL Draft Projections by NFL Draft Expert Tony Pauline

Wisconsin Pro Prospects For 2025 NFL Draft
Grade	Rnd	Pos	Full Name	Yr	#
3.67	3rd	S	Hunter Wohler	4Sr	24
3.63	3rd	T	Riley Mahlman	4Jr	71
3.52	4th	T	Jack Nelson	5Sr	79
3.42	5th	OLB	John Pius	5Sr	0
3.36	6th	ILB	Jaheim Thomas	5Sr	7
3.32	6th	OLB	Darryl Peterson	4Jr	17
3.22	FA	QB	Tyler Van Dyke	5Sr	10
3.22	FA	C	Jake Renfro	4Jr	57
3.15	FA	RB	Chez Mellusi	6Sr	6
3.13	FA	G	Joe Huber	5Sr	60
3.03	FA	DE	James Thompson Jr.	5Sr	90
3.00	FA	WR	Will Pauling	3Jr	6
2.93	FA	ILB	Jake Chaney	4Sr	36
2.80	FA	S	Kamo'i Latu	5Sr	13