Wisconsin Football Defender Listed Among Top 100 Players by PFF

For Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell, the 2023 season finished with a disappointing 7-6 overall record, marked by a hard-fought battle in the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU, ending in a 35-31 loss. 

Amidst the season’s ups and downs, a shining beacon on defense and an unquestioned leader emerged for the new-look Badgers. 

Starting safety Hunter Wohler broke out, amassing an impressive 120 total tackles, including 74 solo tackles, 37 stops, 10 pressures, six pass deflections, along with two interceptions, and a sack.

Wohler’s standout performance earned him national recognition, securing Second-Team All-Big Ten honors from both media and third from the league coaches, as well as a spot on PFF’s All-Conference First Team.

That’s why it should come as no surprise that Pro Football Focus named Hunter Wohler a top 101 player (79) in the country for the 2023 season.

Top 101 Players from the 2023 College Football Season:

Players 80-71🔥 pic.twitter.com/CVEPQolsRw

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 6, 2024

Wisconsin Football Safety Hunter Wohler Earns Top 101 PFF Honors 

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Playing the ‘Dollar’ position within Mike Tressel’s defensive scheme, Hunter Wohler proved to be a versatile asset, excelling in various roles on the field for the Wisconsin football program.  

Whether lining up in the box alongside linebackers or covering space in the secondary, Wohler’s ability to move around the defense like a chess piece was critical to the Badgers’ success.

According to Pro Football Focus, Wohler logged an impressive 859 defensive snaps throughout the 2023 season, showcasing his versatility across different positions:

• Defensive Line: 27 snaps (3%)
• Box: 422 snaps (49%)
• Slot Corner: 145 snaps (17%)
• Outside Corner: 8 snaps (1%) 
• Free Safety: 255 snaps (30%) 

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound safety’s performance garnered him an overall defensive grade of 86.9, with particularly strong ratings in run defense (82.1) and pass coverage (89.1), according to Pro Football Focus. Wohler was also the second-highest-graded safety in the country.

Looking ahead, Wohler is set to return for his fourth and final season with the Wisconsin football team, aiming to build upon his impressive achievements from the previous year. He was already named the Badgers defensive captain for the 2024 season and hopes to play an integral role in righting the ship with his hometown team.

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