It seems like such a long time ago that the Wisconsin Badgers football program was known for producing NFL talent at two specific positions: running back and offensive line. And while defensive stars like JJ Watt and TJ Watt brought some pride in their ability to produce top-tier defenders, especially in the trenches, Wisconsin’s bread and butter always seemed to be in the offensive run game.
Now, under head coach Luke Fickell, it is not so. However, recent additions in the transfer portal that have focused on running back and linemen would seem to indicate the Badgers are going back to their roots, which is something to be excited about.
Meanwhile, in the NFL, former Wisconsin linemen are making a name for themselves as professionals.
PFF names 2 former Wisconsin Badgers as breakout offensive linemen in 2025
Perhaps it has been the recent Bowl Game drought that has made it seem like it has been so long since Wisconsin has produced high-quality talent. The fact, though, is that there are currently several former Badgers linemen currently playing in the NFL, and two of them have made PFF’s list of breakout offensive linemen for the 2025 NFL season.
Tanor Bortolini
Kewaunee, Wisconsin native Tanor Bortolini spent four seasons with the Badgers and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
After playing in 12 games (five starts) as a rookie, he played in (and started) 16 games for Indianapolis in 2025.
Of his breakout season this year, PFF wrote:
“In 2025, however, Bortolini took a significant step forward, clearing that threshold in both areas and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top run-blocking centers. His PFF run-blocking grade of 88.2 ranked third at the position, trailing only Miami’s Aaron Brewer and KansasCity’s Creed Humphrey. He also ranked third among centers in positively graded run-play rate, earning a positive PFF grade on 19.4% of run plays.”
Of course, what is so intriguing about Bortolini’s NFL success, especially as a run-blocker, is that he is opening holes for former Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor.
Cole Van Lanen
Cole Van Lanen, as fans remember all too well, was a sixth round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2021, but remained just one year with his home-state team before linking up with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Not too long ago, he signed a $51 million extension with Jacksonville, a sign that they like what they have in the former Wisconsin star.
And PFF has great reviews of his work in 2025 as well:
“Van Lanen emerged as one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive linemen in 2025, exceeding expectations within his own organization. The Wisconsin product opened the season as a backup and was primarily expected to contribute as a sixth offensive lineman, as the Jaguars leaned into heavier personnel groupings.
“Injuries quickly altered that plan, forcing Van Lanen into the lineup at left guard, right tackle and right guard before he ultimately slid over to left tackle in Week 11 against Tennessee after starting that game at right guard.
“Even after Walker Little returned from injury, Van Lanen retained his starting role at left tackle and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension. At the position, he ranked ninth among 35 qualifying left tackles in PFF overall grade (79.9) and allowed pressure on just 5.9% of pass plays, the 12th-best rate at the position.”
With Bortolini and Van Lanen emerging as two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, hopefully it will not be long until Wisconsin puts itself back on the map for producing such players. Doing so would be a return to former glory for the program.
More Wisconsin Badgers football news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Badgers land Hope College (D-III) transfer defensive lineman Liam Danitz
- Former Badgers 4-star guard transfers to Indiana
- Former Badgers 4-star running back commits to LSU
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