The Wisconsin Badgers had quite the roster transformation over the past few weeks, as they look ahead to the 2026 season.
While a number of players departed in the transfer portal, there were several others who were seniors who will look to play professionally. A big part of that in the pre-draft process is getting an opportunity to impress scouts at one of the college all-star games.
Well, several Badgers were invited to a variety of those all-star bowls ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver
Vinny Anthony was among the group, accepting an invite to the Panini Senior Bowl, where he’ll get to show off both his skills and measurables before the NFL Combine.
Anthony had 31 catches for 391 yards and a touchdown in 2025 after breaking out in 2024 with 39 catches for 672 yards and four touchdowns. He’s got good size (6’0, 190 pounds), speed, route-running ability, and hands, which should garner him a few NFL looks.
There were four Badgers who accepted invites to the East-West Shrine Bowl, with tight end Lance Mason being the latest of the group to accept. He joins safety Austin Brown, edge rusher Mason Reiger, and offensive lineman Riley Mahlman as the four Badgers represented.
Mason recently participated in the Hula Bowl, which took place in Florida, and is now heading to the East-West Shrine Bowl after posting 30 catches for 398 yards and four touchdowns for the Badgers this season.
Brown had been a multi-year starter at safety and nickel for Wisconsin, playing more full-time safety in 2025. He’s had 91 tackles, six pass breakups, a sack, and a forced fumble the last two years.
Mahlman, a fifth-year senior in 2025, was forced to move to left tackle this season after being a cog at right tackle for a couple of years at Wisconsin. He’s got massive size at 6’8, 320 pounds, which could be intriguing to NFL teams.
Reiger was a standout for the Badgers in 2025 as their lead edge rusher, posting 32 tackles, five sacks, 45 pressures, and 20 defensive stops.
Those five players aren’t the only ones who got an invite to an all-star game, as cornerback Ricardo Hallman accepted the opportunity to play in the American Bowl. A multi-year starter at cornerback for Wisconsin, Hallman is participating in the first-ever iteration of the American Bowl, which is set to take place on January 22nd in Florida on NFL Network.
