Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL: Brian Wozniak

With the 2014 NFL Draft in the books and the regular season fast-approaching, Badger of Honor is taking an in-depth look at each and every Wisconsin Badger in the National Football League.

Up next in the series is another 2014 undrafted free agent hoping to earn his spot on an NFL roster: Brian Wozniak.

Wozniak came to Wisconsin in 2009, and after redshirting his first year on campus, played in 47 games for the Badgers over the course of the next four years.

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He was mainly a special teams player until his junior campaign, when he started 11 of 14 games for Wisconsin. He followed that effort in 2013 by starting 10 of Wisconsin’s 13 games.

Wozniak was never Wisconsin’s primary tight end target in the passing game, but he excelled in his role complimenting Jacob Pedersen.

Over the course of 2012-13, Wozniak recorded 15 receptions for 127 yards. He became a red-zone target last season, as four of his six receptions went for touchdowns.

As you would expect from a Wisconsin tight end, Wozniak excels as a run-blocker, having helped pave the way for the likes of Montee Ball, James White and Melvin Gordon during his two years in the starting lineup.

He’s seen as a traditional hand-in-the-ground tight end capable of helping immediately in the run game.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Signed by the Atlanta Falcons following the draft, Wozniak is one of several names the Falcons have competing for the spot left open by the now-retired Tony Gonzalez.

Veteran Bear Pascoe and second-year player Levine Toilolo, as well as fellow undrafted Badger free agent Jacob Pedersen (who will be profiled as this series continues) are the competition Wozniak faces in training camp.

Wozniak’s blocking abilities will certainly come in handy for a team hoping to get another couple of years out of Stephen Jackson, and Atlanta’s talented group of receivers (if Julio Jones and Roddy White stay healthy) mean Wozniak wouldn’t likely be asked to produce instantly as a receiving threat.

Should he make the squad, Wozniak has the chance to be another in a steady stream of Badger tight ends making impacts on NFL rosters.