Badgers star goes undrafted in 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

Mason Reiger, a defensive lineman from Wisconsin, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft despite a strong season. The Badgers did not have any players selected in a notably weak draft class.

Key points

Mason Reiger went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft
Wisconsin Badgers had no players selected in the draft
Reiger had 32 tackles and five sacks in his final season

Wisconsin BadgersMason Reiger

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin defensive lineman Mason Reiger (DL58) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images In a surprise, the Wisconsin Badgers didn’t see a single player drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, with edge rusher Mason Reiger not being picked up despite it being a weaker overall class. Reiger, a 6’5, 250-pound senior, had a resurgent season in 2025 after missing all of the 2024 season at Louisville due to injury. He finished the year with 32 tackles, five sacks, and a pass breakup, while leading the Badgers with 45 pressures. He was a relentless effort player, which aided him in both the run and the pass game, as he cemented himself as an NFL prospect. Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Reiger when grading him as a fifth-round prospect. “Reiger is a tall, linear edge rusher with a slender frame,” Zierlein wrote. “He doesn’t look like a pro pre-snap, but he certainly plays like one after the snap. He lacks the size/anchor to consistently set the edge and can be controlled when tackles latch on, but he’s unusually talented to work off contact for quick wins at the point of attack. “He’s a short-striding rusher who takes similar tracks at similar speeds and is more pressure-creator than sack-finisher at this time. However, altering his approach (tempo and angles) and adding a better inside counter could create a bump in his sack production. Reiger needs more mass and refinement but could become a good rotational odd-front edge in time.” Reiger will now look to make his mark as an undrafted free agent as he begins his NFL career, looking to be the next pass-rusher out of Wisconsin.

Q&A

Why did Mason Reiger go undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Mason Reiger went undrafted despite a strong performance due to concerns about his size and consistency as a pass rusher.

What were Mason Reiger's stats during his final season at Wisconsin?

In his final season, Mason Reiger recorded 32 tackles, five sacks, and led the team with 45 pressures.

What are the implications of the Wisconsin Badgers not having any players drafted in 2026?

The absence of drafted players indicates a potential decline in the program's talent level and raises questions about future recruiting and player development.