Wisconsin Football QB Tanner Mordecai Signs UDFA Deal With NFC Contender

Wisconsin football QB Tanner Mordecai was not selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it didn’t take him long to land an opportunity. 

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the former Badgers signal-caller has signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. 

Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai plans to sign an undrafted free agent contract with the #49ers, per source.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 27, 2024

Mordecai was the first known Badgers UDFA to land a deal. Wisconsin had two players selected in the fourth round: Braelon Allen was drafted by the New York Jets, and Tanor Bortolini was selected by the Indianapolis Colts. 

Wisconsin Football QB Tanner Mordecai Signs with San Francisco 49ers

Nov 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Mordecai transferred to UW after Luke Fickell took over at the beginning of 2023, hoping to boost his draft stock in a stronger conference. He was part of a loaded class that also included quarterbacks Nick Evers and Braedyn Locke. Prior to joining the Badgers, Mordecai was a standout at SMU, throwing for 7,152 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions while posting a 66.4% completion percentage.

The former Badgers QB didn’t light up the stat sheet in his final season in the college ranks, partly due to injury, but he still finished sixth in program history with 204 completions through ten games. Mordecai recorded 2,066 yards and nine touchdowns on those completions while also throwing four interceptions. He also showcased his mobility by notching 302 yards on 90 attempts on the ground. 

Mordecai was not invited to the NFL Combine, but he still made his mark during the Wisconsin football Pro Day. He recorded a 4.46 40-yard dash, which would have been the fastest among all quarterbacks at the NFL Combine. In addition, Mordecai registered a 33.5″ vertical jump, which would also have placed him first among all participants in the Combine. Despite a strong Pro Day performance, Mordecai was still projected to go undrafted. 

The former Badger will now head to join the Super Bowl 56 runner-ups in San Francisco, where he’ll compete for a spot in the 49ers QB room that includes Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, and Brandon Allen.

Stay tuned to Badgernotes for more updates on Badgers UDFA signings.

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