The former Wisconsin Badgers (and Wisconsinites) who made initial 53-man rosters in the NFL in 2024

The Wisconsin Badgers continue to be well-represented in the National Football League, with numerous ex-players landing on the initial 53-man rosters released Tuesday. We also can't forget about Wisconsin high-school alumni who also made the cut.

Here's a look:

Wisconsin Badgers on NFL 53-man rosters

Braelon Allen, running back, New York Jets

The Fond du Lac native and University of Wisconsin alumnus broke camp as a rookie with the Jets. He still doesn't turn 21 until January if you wanted an update on how young he is.

Zack Baun, linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles

The Brown Deer High School grad will play his fifth NFL season with a team other than New Orleans, where he spent the last four campaigns and played 62 games with 14 starts. He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles this offseason and will see the Packers in Week 1 in Brazil.

Keeanu Benton, defensive line, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Janesville Craig star had an excellent rookie year with the Steelers last year, posting a sack, 36 tackles, two forced fumbles and nine starts in 17 games. He's one of several Badgers on the Steelers; there's a reason coach Mike Tomlin said, "Obviously, we like doing business with Wisconsin."

Tyler Biadasz, offensive line, Washington Commanders

The Amherst native has been the starting center in Dallas the last four years, including a 2022 Pro Bowl campaign. He signed a three-year deal in the offseason worth nearly $30 million.

Tanor Bortolini, offensive line, Indianapolis Colts

The Kewaunee native and UW product was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, and he could see time at center or guard in the NFL. The Colts will face the Packers in Week 2 this season.

Logan Bruss, offensive line, Los Angeles Rams

The Kimberly alumnus and UW standout has been beset by injury and ineffectiveness since he was taken in the third round in 2022, but he gets another shot this year.

Leo Chenal, linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs

Chenal, from Grantsburg High School, has two years in the league and two rings. Last year in his second season, he started 10 games and finished with three sacks and 65 tackles.

Michael Deiter, offensive line, Washington Commanders

He was in Houston last year, starting 10 games, after four seasons in Miami. The Dolphins drafted him in the third round in 2019.

David Edwards, guard, Buffalo Bills

He spent his first five years with the Rams, winning a Super Bowl along the way. Last year, he played in all 17 games for Buffalo but didn't start any.

T.J. Edwards, linebacker, Chicago Bears

He's about to start his sixth NFL season after starting his career as an undrafted free agent. Edwards had 155 total tackles, including eight for loss, with a career-best 2½ sacks and seven passes defended in his first year with Chicago last year after signing a free-agent deal. Previously, he had been in Philadelphia, where he played in a Super Bowl.

Jake Ferguson, tight end, Dallas Cowboys

The Madison Memorial standout had a monster playoff game against the Packers that went unnoticed by Packers fans since Green Bay prevailed. It was the capper to a Pro Bowl season in which he caught 71 passes for 761 yards as a second-year player.

Isaac Guerendo, running back, San Francisco 49ers

The speedy ex-Badgers player finished his college career at Louisville, had a great showing at the NFL scouting combine and was taken in the fourth round.

Rob Havensetein, offensive line, Los Angeles Rams

The Badgers alumnus has been a staple for the Rams, now entering his 10th season as the team's right tackle. He has a Super Bowl ring and 130 starts.

Nick Herbig, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former UW standout from Hawaii played in 17 games last year and finished with three sacks, two forced fumbles and 27 tackles.

Alec Ingold, fullback, Miami Dolphins

The Bay Port High School star and Badgers alumnus made the Pro Bowl last year in his fifth NFL season and second year with Miami. He caught 13 passes for 119 yards, though blocking is obviously his primary role.

More: Ex-Badgers thriving with Dolphins; Van Ginkel gets 'Hard Knocks' closeup and Ingold a 'Man of the Year' nominee

Isaiahh Loudermilk, defensive tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Loudermilk has been a quality contributor over the past three seasons, playing in 42 games and racking up 46 tackles.

Maema Njongmeta, linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

He attended the scouting combine but didn't get drafted, yet he's landed a spot on an opening-week roster.

Dare Ogunbowale, running back, Houston Texans

What a career for the undrafted player out of Marquette University High School and UW. The Texans are his fourth team, but this is his third year with Houston, often playing a role on special teams, including a successful field-goal attempt last year when the Texans needed him in an emergency.

Jack Sanborn, linebacker, Chicago Bears

The Illinois native has made the most of his post-college career, despite going undrafted. In his second season last year, he started 10 games, with an interception, sack, 65 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts

The standout at Wisconsin expressed discontent with the Colts this offseason but is back after signing a new contract extension. His best year came in 2021, when he was the Offensive Player of the Year runner-up. Last year, he ran for 741 yards in 10 games (with seven starts).

Joe Tippmann, offensive lineman, New York Jets

He started 14 games last year at center after getting taken in the second round of the 2023 draft. He'll likely be in the same role this year.

Andrew Van Ginkel, linebacker, Minnesota Vikings

After five seasons with Miami, Van Ginkel is back in the Midwest. He has appeared in every game each of the past four seasons.

Cole Van Lanen, offensive line, Jacksonville Jaguars

The fourth-year player out of Bay Port High School is also an ex-Packer, drafted in 2021 and traded to the Jaguars in 2022. He's had 25 appearances the past two years with Jacksonville.

T.J. Watt, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers

The perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate had a meaty 19 sacks last year in 17 games, plus four forced fumbles and an interception. It marked the Pewaukee native's fourth first-team All-Pro selection in five years, and he was a top-three finisher for DPOY for a fourth time.

Russell Wilson, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelrs

The UW star in 2011 enters an interesting new phase in his decorated career, trying to recapture some magic after two tough seasons in Denver. Wilson, who turns 36 later this year, threw for 3,070 yards last year and 26 touchdowns.

Kevin Zeitler, offensive line, Detroit Lions

The Wisconsin Lutheran High School alumnus is heading into his 13th season and has been an ironman in his career. The guard made the Pro Bowl for the first time with Baltimore last year; he's started at least 15 games in nine consecutive seasons and has never finished with fewer than double digits.

One other note: UW alumnus and Stevens Point native Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive tackle in his eighth season, is on the Physically Unable to Perform list with the Saints.

Wisconsinites on 53-man rosters

Ben Bredeson, offensive line, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Arrowhead High School alumnus spent the last three seasons with the Giants, starting 16 games last year at guard. He signed a one-year deal this offseason with Tampa Bay. He played college football at Michigan.

Mike Caliendo, offensive lineman, Kansas City Chiefs

The Brookfield East alumnus appeared in eight games last year on the Kansas City offensive line and also played in all four playoff games en route to a Super Bowl ring. Caliendo attended Western Michigan.

Jon Gaines II, offensive line, Arizona Cardinals

The Marquette University High School alumnus attended UCLA and saw his rookie season shortened by injury. But he's back on the 53-man roster, looking for his first NFL game action.

Luke Goedeke, offensive line, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Valders High School product and second-round pick two years ago started all 17 games last year and will suit up at right tackle. He started his college career at UW-Stevens Point before moving to Central Michigan.

Shelby Harris, defensive tackle, Cleveland Browns

The Homestead High School alumnus has gone from seventh-rounder to 10-year NFL veteran. He's about to enter his second year with Cleveland after seeing the field for all 17 games last year (with seven starts). He spent time with Oakland, Denver and Seattle previously.

JC Latham, offensive line, Tennessee Titans

The No. 7 overall draft pick out of Alabama this year hails from the Milwaukee area and attended Catholic Memorial before transferring out of the state.

Hunter Luepke, running back, Dallas Cowboys

The North Dakota State alumnus played fullback as a rookie last year and got six carries for 19 yards. He's a native of Spencer, Wisconsin.

Will McDonald, edge rusher, New York Jets

The Waukesha North alumnus and first-round pick last year out of Iowa State didn't see any starts in 2023, with 15 games overall and just 14 tackles (three sacks, one forced fumble).

Quinn Meinerz, offensive line, Denver Broncos

The Hartford High School alumnus and product of UW-Whitewater enters his fourth season after starting all 17 games last year. He signed a four-year deal worth $72 million this offseason.

Eric Murray, safety, Houston Texans

The Milwaukee Riverside alumnus enters his ninth year in the league and fourth with the Texans. Last year, he played in only six games because of a knee injury. Murray played college football at Minnesota.

One other note: 49ers star tight end George Kittle, a two-time All-Pro first-teamer entering his eighth season, was born in Madison.

Who'd we miss? Email jradcliffe@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The former Wisconsin Badgers (and Wisconsinites) who made initial 53-man rosters in the NFL in 2024