Jack Nelson talks NFL draft, Wisconsin football career & what's next
Wisconsin OL Jack Nelson talked about his versatility, college experience, and passion for the game at the NFL Combine as he prepares for the 2025 Draft.
Jack Nelson has always been a Wisconsin guy. From growing up in Stoughton to following in his father Todd’s footsteps as a Badgers offensive lineman, Nelson’s path to the NFL has been shaped by his deep ties to the football program.
Now, as he prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft, the longtime Wisconsin left tackle is out to prove he belongs at the next level.
Nelson, a four-year starter for the Badgers, was a staple on Wisconsin’s offensive line, making 50 career starts, including 37 at left tackle. His physicality, versatility, and experience against top-tier competition in the Big Ten make him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Nelson made it clear when talking to the media how much pride he takes in representing Wisconsin’s rich offensive line tradition and the responsibility that comes with it.
"It means the world to kind of carry on that [Wisconsin offensive line] legacy," Nelson said. "I feel like it's my responsibility to those that came before me, to those that come after me, to those that are there right now to give everything I got and put my best foot forward here."
Jack Nelson's return to Wisconsin paid off
Nelson’s Wisconsin roots run deep. The Stoughton high school product arrived in Madison as a blue-chip recruit in the 2020 class after earning the Joe Thomas Award as the state’s top senior offensive lineman.
He was a fixture in the Badgers' developmental pipeline, a testament to the program’s long-standing pattern of producing NFL-caliber talent.
After redshirting in 2020, Nelson forced his way into the starting five, taking over at right guard as a redshirt freshman. The following season, he kicked out to left tackle, where he would anchor Wisconsin’s offensive line for the next three years. Nelson's pass-blocking ability stood out in 2022 when he posted an 83.1 Pro Football Focus grade in pass pro—the highest for a Badgers lineman since Tyler Biadasz (85.0) in 2019.
Then, under the direction of Jack Bicknell Jr., who lasted just one season as Wisconsin’s offensive line coach, Nelson’s aggressive playstyle often worked against him and led to an incredibly disappointing 2023 season.
His eagerness to fire off the ball and attack defenders led to issues with timing and technique, particularly in pass protection. Nelson finished the year with a Big Ten-high 12 penalties—seven for holding and five false starts—frequently putting himself in bad positions to finish blocks.
Too often, he was so anxious to gain an early advantage that he rushed out of his stance, leading to costly on-field mistakes. His lack of discipline showed up in the numbers, too. His pass-blocking grade dipped to 75.6, and his run-blocking mark (68.4) was lower than many expected.
While the 2023 season didn’t go the way he or the Badgers had hoped, Nelson felt he had much more to prove, which factored into his decision to return for one final year in Madison to improve his NFL draft stock.
"I felt like I had a lot more on my plate," Nelson said. "I don't think I performed my best that season, and I knew I had a lot more to prove. I felt like I owed it to Wisconsin—a city, a program that had given me so much, the university itself given my family so much, and I decided I owed it to them to really give everything I had to that program."
His decision to come back, at least on paper, proved to be the right call.
Nelson put together his best season in 2024, earning a career-high 79.9 offensive grade from PFF. He also posted a personal best in run blocking (75.1) while regaining his form in pass protection (82.2). More importantly, the technical improvements he and coach Blazek worked on throughout the offseason showed up during live reps—allowing just one sack and nine pressures across 393 total pass-blocking snaps, both career lows.
Nelson wrapped up his Wisconsin career as a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention pick, earning the recognition in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
What we learned at the combine
Nelson’s physical profile checks all the boxes for an NFL lineman.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 314 pounds, Nelson has the length, frame, and athleticism to compete at the next level. While he opted not to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, he participated in individual drills and checked an important box by meeting the league’s unofficial arm-length threshold for tackles with 33 ½-inch arms.
He’s expected to showcase more to scouts at Wisconsin’s pro day on Mar. 7.
On film, Nelson moves well laterally and gets out of his stance with ease, giving him above-average range as a run blocker. His quickness helps him reach and seal backside blocks, and he works to stay engaged at the point of attack. In pass protection, his instincts and recognition allow him to adjust to stunts and speed rushers, using his ability to flip his hips and reset his hands to maintain leverage.
However, Nelson’s biggest challenge at the next level will be improving his play strength and refining his pass sets to handle NFL-caliber rushers. He has a tendency to overset and overcorrect at times, which leaves him vulnerable to power moves, and his punch timing needs to be more consistent to anchor effectively against stronger edge rushers.
But beyond the raw athletic traits, Nelson believes his experience and versatility will be his biggest selling points to NFL teams.
“I’m absolutely versatile,” Nelson said. “I played three years at left tackle, a year at right guard. I think I’m most suited to play right tackle. Playing on the right side, that’s where I started off—I think I’ve got the length and the speed to play on the edge, that’s where I feel more comfortable. It just comes naturally to me, easier than the left side.”
Nelson didn’t have the luxury of stability at Wisconsin—he had to learn how to adapt on the fly. During his time in the program, he played under four different offensive line coaches—Joe Rudolph, Bob Bostad, Jack Bicknell Jr., and finally, AJ Blazek—while dealing with constant changes within the program. Recruited by Paul Chryst, he saw Jim Leonhard take over as interim before spending his final two seasons under Luke Fickell.
Instead of letting that instability hinder his development, he leaned into it.
"It was certainly not what I expected," Nelson said of his time at Wisconsin. "If I envisioned my perfect college career, when I came in there, I thought the coach that I was recruited by was going to be there forever, but I'm thankful for it. I think it's given me a chance to learn a bunch of different stuff from a bunch of different great coaches.
"That’s something I’m trying to market myself with out here—my ability to adapt, my versatility, having to go through that and perform, and perform consistently, without much stability in the coaching."
Bringing the right mindset
Nelson has always been known for his high-intensity playstyle, but he admitted that his fiery approach at times worked against him. He took it upon himself to adjust his mentality, working with Wisconsin’s coaching staff to refine his game this past season.
“When I first came into college, I found my edge in that intensity when I go out there on the field,” Nelson explained. “Trying to get all riled up, go out there with that classic football mentality. But then, that started to kind of work as a detriment to my play as I got older.
"I recognized that issue and worked on it in the offseason. When coach Blazek came in, I told him about it, we had a long chat, and that was something I wanted to improve on," Nelson continued. "I think you could see it in my style of play, penalties, everything like that.”
Nelson describes himself as a no-nonsense, high-effort player who prides himself on his work ethic and dedication to the game.
“My work ethic,” Nelson said when asked about his defining trait. “I'm no funny business. I’m not about the glam or anything like that. I’m just there to work hard, bring the intensity, and do what I need to do.”
What’s next?
Nelson is currently projected as a Day 3 pick, going anywhere from round 4 to round 6, but his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line could help him find his way onto a 53-man roster.
NFL teams value linemen who can step in and contribute in different spots, and Nelson has shown he can do just that.
"I'm there to work, that's for sure, I think I'm a good locker room guy," Nelson said. "Going from being an old experienced starter at Wisconsin to a new rookie, it's all about keeping your head down and working—letting your work do the talk.
"I think it's just all about coming in there, putting your head down, working, and proving that you're there to belong."
For Nelson, making it to the NFL is about more than just fulfilling a lifelong dream of his. It’s about representing his family, Wisconsin, and a football program that helped shape him into the player and person he is today.
"It means the world to me," Nelson said of carrying on the family legacy. "It’s a great feeling to put that on your back and be the one to put on for your city — for your family — like that."
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