Former Badger Hunter Wohler's rookie season did not go as planned. Just as it seemed he was going to get a bigger role and even some playing time with the Indianapolis Colts, his season was derailed by injury. He wouldn't play again at all last season and is still recovering ahead of the NFL Draft.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke to the media today about a variety of topics, but only two will interest Wisconsin Badger fans. The first is that Wohler has progressed extremely well in his rehab from last year's injury. Ballard said that he is at the end of it now and should be on pace to play right away.
The second was that he said Wohler was set to be a big part of the team's plans last season and presumably will be again this season.
#Colts GM Chris Ballard reiterates how high he is on second-year defensive backs Justin Walley and Hunter Wohler, claiming they would’ve had big roles as rookies had they not been injured.
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) April 20, 2026
“If they do not get hurt, they play major roles last year. Unequivocally.”
Chris Ballard said Hunter Wohler would have played a 'major role' last season
Related: ESPN’s latest 7-Round NFL mock draft suddenly has 3 Wisconsin Badgers
Ballard was being asked a question about young players in the upcoming draft and how they will factor into the plans. He was a little defensive about it, but said that if it wasn't for injuries, both Wohler and Justin Walley (another defensive back) would have had big roles as rookies. "If they do not get hurt, they play major roles last year. Unequivocally."
This is high praise from the GM, and it did appear that Wohler was starting to line up for a big role for the Colts. He was turning heads every which way through training camp and was forcing his way up the depth chart. As there were injuries in front of him, he looked primed for a good season as a rookie, and then it was derailed.
Now, ahead of this season with the positive injury update and the optimistic outlook from the GM, it seems as if the former Badger is set to be a featured part of the Indianapolis Colts' defense in 2026.
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