Wisconsin’s Quiet NFL Success: Badgers Shine on Conference Championship Rosters

While powerhouse programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State dominate the headlines with their NFL talent pipelines, Wisconsin continues to carve out a unique legacy in professional football. The Badgers may not churn out NFL talent at the same volume as those perennial title contenders, but when Wisconsin alumni make it to the league, they tend to make an impact.

Consider this: Alabama kicked off the 2024 NFL season with a staggering 77 players on active rosters, followed closely by Ohio State (66), LSU (65), and Michigan (63). Wisconsin, on the other hand, was tied for 22nd with 32 former players in the league. Yet, when it comes to this year’s NFL conference championship rosters, Wisconsin stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the nation’s most elite programs.

The Badgers are one of just nine college programs boasting at least five alumni playing on conference championship Sunday. They join Washington, Ohio State, and Illinois with five representatives each, while Penn State has six, Florida seven, Georgia and Alabama eight apiece, and Oklahoma leads with nine.

Badgers Making Their Mark

Despite being considered an underdog in terms of NFL production, Wisconsin has proven its ability to develop top-tier talent that thrives at the highest level. The five former Badgers set to take the field on championship weekend include:

Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders): A steady force at center, Biadasz has enjoyed a reliable NFL career, anchoring offensive lines first in Dallas and now in Washington.
Michael Deiter (Commanders): A dependable backup offensive lineman who has carved out a long career in the league.
Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles): Coming off a career-best season, Baun earned first-team All-Pro honors and established himself as a dominant defensive force.
David Edwards (Buffalo Bills): With six solid years under his belt, Edwards has been a crucial part of Buffalo’s offensive success.
Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs): A key contributor on a defense that has been instrumental in Kansas City’s pursuit of consecutive Super Bowl titles.

And that’s just scratching the surface. The list doesn’t even include elite talents like T.J. Watt—one of the NFL’s premier pass-rushers—or running back Jonathan Taylor, both of whom are considered among the best at their respective positions.

Next level 💯💯

RT if your school has 5 or more players on an active NFL Roster this weekend 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XIoMhwu37D
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 25, 2025

Built Different

While Wisconsin’s recruiting classes might not feature an abundance of flashy quarterbacks or dynamic wide receivers, the program has built a reputation for developing some of the best offensive linemen, linebackers, and running backs in the country. The Badgers’ success in sending these positions to the NFL proves that quality can sometimes outweigh quantity.

Over the past two decades, Wisconsin has consistently produced hard-nosed, fundamentally sound players who fit the NFL mold, and the current crop of championship-bound Badgers further underscores that tradition.

For a program that might not always be in the national championship conversation, Wisconsin’s influence on the NFL remains undeniable. The Badgers may not have the biggest pipeline, but the players they produce are proving that they belong among the league’s best.