Former Wisconsin football star embracing new role with the Indianapolis Colts
From Wisconsin to Indianapolis, Hunter Wohler is embracing a whatever it takes mindset as he fights to earn a roster spot with the Colts.
Getting drafted is a moment most players will never forget. But for University of Wisconsin football players chasing NFL dreams, the second that pen hits paper and the ink dries on their rookie deal, the grind to stay in the league officially begins.
After a productive career with the Wisconsin Badgers, safety-turned-linebacker Hunter Wohler was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 232 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft hosted in Green Bay.
Now, Wohler's already signed his rookie deal — a four-year, $4.33 million contract that includes a $131,000 signing bonus, per OverTheCap.com — and has begun the grind of adjusting to life as a professional.
And if you know anything about Wohler, you know entitlement was never going to be part of the equation.
Wohler wasn’t a day-one star when he got to Madison. Early on, he struggled to adjust — the college game moved faster, required more mental processing, and demanded a different level of preparation. But instead of getting overwhelmed, he embraced it. He leaned into coaching, expanded his understanding of defense, and earned his way on the field.
That foundation — a willingness to learn, adapt, and outwork people — might be his biggest asset as he transitions to the NFL.
Wohler leaves Madison after a highly productive career that included 229 total tackles (11.5 for loss), three interceptions, two sacks, and 16 passes defensed over 43 games (25 starts). His best season came as a junior, when Wohler exploded for 120 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed — earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.
The Muskego native graded out well across the board according to Pro Football Focus, finishing with an 86.9 overall defensive grade — an 82.1 in run defense, an 88.2 in tackling, and an 89.1 in coverage.
He followed it up with a strong senior year in 2024, even if the counting stats didn't jump off the page, racking up 71 total tackles, 21 stops, one tackle for loss, and six pass deflections — earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors while battling through a difficult season for the Badgers.
Physically, Wohler checks a lot of boxes too: he measured in at 6-foot-2, 213 pounds, ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, and shows the awareness and coverage instincts in space you’d expect from a player who spent his college career bouncing between the secondary and the second level as a defensive chess piece.
He also posted a 9.26 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of 10.00, which ranked 93rd out of more than 1,200 tested safeties at the combine since 1987 — a number that backs up what the tape shows.
Now, he’s with the Colts — and while he knows a roster spot isn’t guaranteed, he also knows exactly where his NFL journey has to start: special teams.
“My freshman year of college, I came in and played three phases,” Wohler explained. “The next three years, I played punt every year, so doing a lot of that stuff, you learn it. But coming in as a rookie, you understand that special teams is where you’re going to find your playing time to start. So, I understand that.
“I know that’s going to be my role, and I’m excited to do everything I can.”
It’s that mindset — that rookie, “I’ll do whatever it takes” mentality — that could give Wohler an edge as the Colts head into OTAs and mandatory minicamp before training camp opens on July 24.
Beyond the locker room fit, it's clear the Colts have a plan in mind to utilize Wohler’s versatility on defense. Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo emphasized after the draft that today's NFL is all about matchups, and players like Wohler have become even more valuable.
“It’s a matchup league,” Anarumo said. “If the offense puts out a certain personnel group, you want to be able to match it with what they’re doing, especially on third down. You want to try to get cover guys covering receivers and, nowadays, these tight ends. … The days, to me, of putting linebackers on tight ends is not ideal for the defense.”
That’s where Wohler could bridge the gap. He’s played all over the field — both safety spots, inside linebacker, and in the box during his time at Wisconsin — giving the Colts coaching staff options with how they want to deploy him.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard echoed that sentiment after the draft, hinting that Wohler could have a hybrid role right out of the gate.
“Lou is pretty creative with what he’s going to do,” Ballard said. “We listed [Wohler] as a linebacker. He’ll play a little bit of both.”
That ability to be multiple could end up being the difference-maker as he works to earn a roster spot in Indianapolis, a franchise known for valuing versatility and IQ across the defensive side of the ball.
And if you listen to Wohler talk about Indianapolis, it’s clear the fit feels right both on and off the field.
“I think the biggest thing — and we were just talking about it outside — is the family aspect of this place, how Coach Steichen pushes that, how Mr. Ballard pushes that,” Wohler told reporters. “You can just tell that this place is a family, and that the community embraces the Colts, and the Colts embrace Indianapolis. It’s a special place for sure. I feel like I kind of fit in here. I’m extremely happy to be here.”
There’s still plenty of work ahead. Wohler acknowledged the learning curve at Wisconsin was steep — going from Jim Leonhard’s complex defensive system to Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel's approach forced him to adapt quickly. But looking back, he sees that as a blessing now.
“My freshman year in college was a wake-up call,” Wohler said. “But having the coaches I had, it forced me to grow my understanding of the game and my knowledge of defense. Switching coordinators, you have to learn a whole new scheme, so I think that just kind of helped prepare me for all of this.”
Wohler, who grew up in Wisconsin, also brings a blue-collar mentality that fits the Colts’ organizational identity.
A former four-star recruit ranked No. 212 overall and the No. 13 safety in the 2021 recruiting class, Wohler has been praised for his physicality, leadership, and willingness to do the dirty work — whether it’s covering punts, filling gaps in the run game, or dropping into coverage.
It’s a steep climb ahead, no question.
Seventh-round picks aren’t handed anything. But if his attitude in rookie camp is any indication, Wohler isn’t looking for guarantees. He’s looking for an opportunity to prove himself on the field. And knowing his track record, Wohler will be ready when it comes.
We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.
You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.
I love/d his attitude, drive, and determination. Will be following him as well as possible in Indianapolis...hope his star rises rapidly. Go Hunter!!