4 former Badgers sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents (2024)

Tanner Mordecai's plan to have a great season as the University of Wisconsin quarterback and make his way to the NFL didn't quite happen.

His sixth college season and only one in Madison wasn't the success story he'd envisioned, but the result is the same; he'll get a chance to be an NFL quarterback.

Mordecai was one of four former Badgers players to sign as undrafted free agents Saturday following the end of the NFL Draft. Mordecai came to terms with the San Francisco 49ers, the defending NFC champions. San Francisco has their starter set in Brock Purdy, but coach Kyle Shanahan has shown an affinity over the years for quarterbacks who can run. Mordecai was a solid rushing threat for the Badgers and ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at Wisconsin’s pro day. San Francisco drafted former Wisconsin running back Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round.

Mordecai spent his college career at three programs, the first three seasons at Oklahoma, the next two at Southern Methodist and the final at Wisconsin. His path to the field with the Sooners was blocked by Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray and then Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts. He showed his skills at SMU, passing for 7,152 yards, 72 touchdowns, 22 interceptions and completing 66% of passes in 24 games.

He wanted to prove himself at the Power Five level, but the Badgers’ bumpy shift to an Air Raid offense and a midseason hand injury made it difficult for Mordecai to shine. He threw for 2,065 yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions and completed 65% of passes in 10 games.

Peter Bowden staying close to his college home

Former Badgers long snapper Peter Bowden reached a deal with the Green Bay Packers. The three-year starter was the snapper for 39 games and never had a snap poor enough to affect a kick. He was recognized by the Patrick Mannelly Award in both his senior and junior seasons, earning semifinalist recognition in 2022 and a finalist nod last fall as the nation’s top long snapper.

Green Bay brought in Matt Orzech to snap last season, but it appears Bowden will have a real shot at competing for the job after Orzech was inconsistent in 2023.

Bowden impressed NFL scouts at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and conducted a snapping workout at Wisconsin’s pro day.

Maema Njongmeta gets a chance in Ohio

Maema Njongmeta didn't have NFL dreams as a kid.

The concept felt too foreign, too far off to truly consider. It wasn't until later in high school career that he realized he could play at the Division I level, and the chance that Wisconsin took on him inspired him. If he could play for the Badgers, he could play on Sundays, he told a reporter last fall.

He'll get that chance after he signed with Cincinnati Bengals and was given a $15,000 signing bonus, about 9% of the total bonus pool teams are allotted to sign undrafted free agents.

Njongmeta was a reserve linebacker and special teams player for hist first three seasons, but the former three-star prospect out of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, took over a starting role in his fourth season. He led the Badgers in tackles with 95 and earned third-team All-Big Ten from the media. He started to begin this season, lost his role after a poor start, but stayed ready and earned back the starting role after an injury to Jordan Turner.

He finished his Wisconsin career with 158 tackles, 20 for loss, 6½ sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries.

Cincinnati also signed defensive end Justin Blazek out of UW-Platteville as a UDFA. Blazek worked out at Wisconsin’s pro day.

Hayden Rucci joins high-octane offense

Tight end Hayden Rucci inked a deal with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday evening.

Rucci played in 36 games for Wisconsin and tallied 17 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown. He was primarily used as the in-line blocking tight end throughout his career, which may help his case of making the team in Miami. The high-scoring Dolphins offense is based on a zone-blocking run scheme that requires tight ends to be able to win one-on-one against edge rushers, something in which Rucci has experience.

Miami’s offense features former Wisconsin fullback Alec Ingold.