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Wisconsin Football Undrafted Free Agents Secure NFL Opportunities

Several former Badgers inked NFL deals as free agents following the draft. Here’s where they wound up.

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Wisconsin Badgers Football
Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) hoists Paul BunyanÕs Axe after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers to claim the rivalry trophy at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Two former Wisconsin football players heard their names called during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini was drafted first by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round.

Running back Braelon Allen is heading to New York after being selected by the Jets shortly after Bortolini.

But what about the other Wisconsin football players that entered the draft? There were a few other Badgers that went undrafted but quickly found homes in the NFL, vying for a chance to make a team in the 2024 NFL season.

Here’s where all of the former Wisconsin football player have landed so far.

Wisconsin Football Quarterback Tanner Mordecai Signs with San Fransisco

The Badgers’ signal caller last season put on a great performance at the Wisconsin football pro day after not being invited to the NFL Combine in February. Despite that, Mordecai went undrafted.

To be fair, quarterbacks were a goofy position in the draft this year. Six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks. Then another one wasn’t taken until Spencer Rattler was picked at pick no. 150. There were a total of 10 quarterbacks picked in this year’s draft. So Mordecai going undrafted wasn’t much of a surprise.

But it didn’t take long for Mordecai to latch onto a team. He signed an undrafted deal with Super Bowl contenders, the San Fransico 49ers.

Tight End Hayden Rucci Lands in Miami

Wisconsin football tight end Hayden Rucci was the 33rd-ranked tight end in the draft, according to DrafTek.com.

In his career, Rucci had 17 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. Not the most production stat-wise, but Rucci was used more as a blocking tight end than a receiving threat. According to PFF, Rucci had 66.3 run-blocking and 64.4 pass-blocking grades.

Rucci will join Alec Ingold in Miami.

Wisconsin Football Linebacker Maema Njongmeta Signs with Cincinnati

Former All-Big Ten linebacker Maema Njongmeta also went undrafted this year but didn’t take long to find a new home. The Bengals really wanted Njongmeta, offering him a $15,000 signing bonus to join the Bengals.

After they didn’t draft a single linebacker in the draft, Njongmeta will have a solid opportunity to make the Bengals’ roster, or at the very least, their practice squad.

Long Snapper Peter Bowden Stays Home; Signs with Green Bay

According to Dane Bruegler of the Athletic, Wisconsin football long snapper Peter Bowden was the top long snapper in the draft. Generally, long snappers don’t get drafted, so this isn’t a surprise. But it didn’t take long for Bowden to find a home in the NFL.

He is staying in Wisconsin, signing a deal with the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers have had a struggling special teams unit for a while now, and the long snapper position is a part of that. Bowden should have a good shot to make the Packers’ roster.

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Christian Borman was born and raised in Wisconsin and covers the Badgers football and basketball programs, plus some recruiting for BadgersNotes.com. He previously covered the Wisconsin Badgers for years as the site expert for Badger of Honor of the Fansided Network.

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