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Wisconsin high school players in the NFL for 2023 season

09/07/2023, 1:15pm CDT
By Travis Wilson

Tyler Biadasz of Amherst tackles Hunter Luepke of Spencer/Columbus Catholic in the 2015 WIAA Division 5 state title game; now they are teammates with the Dallas Cowboys

The state of Wisconsin continues to have a strong presence in the NFL, with 28 players on rosters or practice squads at the beginning of the 2023 season. While superstar J.J. Watt has retired, the list includes marquee names such as T.J. Watt, Ryan Ramczyk, and Kevin Zeitler, along with a host of young up-and-coming players. 

Players who were on the list last year but are no longer in the NFL include Vince Biegel (Wisconsin Rapids), Daviyon Nixon (Kenosha Indian Trail), Jordan Steckler (Two Rivers), Derek Watt (Pewaukee), and J.J. Watt (Pewaukee).

Newcomers this season include four, first-year players: Keeanu Benton (Janesville Craig HS, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh), Jon Gaines (Marquette HS, UCLA, Arizona injured reserve), Hunter Luepke (Spencer/Columbus Catholic, North Dakota State, Dallas), Will McDonald (Waukesha North, Iowa State, New York Jets).


Former Janesville Craig and Wisconsin star Keeanu Benton is in his first year in the NFL

A full list of former Wisconsin high school players in the NFL is below. To see past seasons, please click here.

WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS IN THE NFL FOR 2023 SEASON

First Name Last Name High School College Pro Team Year Notes
Zack Baun Brown Deer Wisconsin New Orleans Saints 4
Nick Bellore Whitefish Bay Central Michigan Seattle Seahawks 13
Keeanu Benton Janesville Craig Wisconsin Pittsburgh Steelers R
Tyler Biadasz Amherst Wisconsin Dallas Cowboys 4
Ben Bredeson Arrowhead Michigan New York Giants 4
Logan Bruss Kimberly Wisconsin Los Angeles Rams 2 Practice Squad
Mike Caliendo Brookfield East Western Michigan Kansas City Chiefs 2
Leo Chenal Grantsburg Wisconsin Kansas City Chiefs 2
Alex Erickson Darlington Wisconsin Los Angeles Chargers 8 Practice Squad
Jake Ferguson Madison Memorial Wisconsin Dallas Cowboys 2
Daurice Fountain Madison Memorial Northern Iowa Detroit Lions 5 Practice Squad
Jon Gaines Marquette University UCLA Arizona Cardinals R IR
Luke Goedeke Valders Central Michigan Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2
Melvin Gordon III Kenosha Bradford Wisconsin Baltimore Ravens 9 Practice Squad
Shelby Harris Homestead Illinois State Cleveland Browns 9
Matt Henningsen Menomonee Falls Wisconsin Denver Broncos 2
Alec Ingold Bay Port Wisconsin Miami Dolphins 5
Hunter Luepke Spencer North Dakota State Dallas Cowboys R
Will McDonald IV Waukesha North Iowa State New York Jets R
Quinn Meinerz Hartford UW-Whitewater Denver Broncos 3
Eric Murray Milwaukee Riverside Minnesota Houston Texans 8
Dare Ogunbowale Marquette University Wisconsin Houston Texans 5
Ryan Ramczyk Stevens Point Wisconsin New Orleans Saints 7
Max Scharping Green Bay Southwest Northern Illinois Cincinnatti Bengals 5
Cole Van Lanen Bay Port Wisconsin Jacksonville Jaguars 3
TJ Watt Pewaukee Wisconsin Pittsburgh Steelers 7
Kristian Welch Iola-Scandinavia Iowa Green Bay Packers 4 Practice Squad
Kevin Zeitler Wisconsin Lutheran Wisconsin Baltimore Ravens 12

About the Author

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  NFL Alumni  Travis Wilson  Alumni