Wisconsin Football OL Makes PFF’s All-Big Ten Offensive Team

Although the Wisconsin football program’s offensive line didn’t live up to the lofty expectations set forth by the Badgers legends before them this season, they were still well above average. 

Pro Football Focus graded the Wisconsin Badgers as the No. 23 pass-blocking unit in college football and No. 37 in pass pro. Thanks in large part to the health and invariant play from their top five, who started all 12 games together during the regular season — a luxury the Badgers could only have dreamt of a year ago. 

The most consistent performer on the Wisconsin football team’s offensive line this past season under Coach Bicknell was redshirt sophomore Riley Mahlman, who picked up All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus. 

PFF’s 2023 All Big Ten Team: Offense🔥 pic.twitter.com/0Q74bMgXqY

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 13, 2023

Wisconsin Football RT Riley Mahlman Named to PFF’s All-Big Ten Offensive Team. 

As mentioned, Riley Mahlman started all 12 games for the Wisconsin football team this past season and was the highest-graded Badgers starting offensive lineman, per PFF (74.0).

The 6-foot-8, 320-pound right tackle from Lakeville, Minnesota, took a big step forward in his development as both a run blocker and pass-protector from a season ago, where the results in seven appearances were uneven at best.

Mahlman, who has a ton of upside, also registered the Wisconsin football team’s best run-blocking grade (76.6) among the starters and the second-best pass-blocking grade (77.1) behind only Badgers center Tanor Bortolini.

It’s also worth mentioning that Mahlman put together two strong performances in the Wisconsin Badgers final two games of the season against Nebraska and Minnesota, not picking up any penalties or allowing a single sack.

He provides the team with a nice foundational piece to build around on the offensive line heading into the 2024 season.

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