Cole Van Lanen is one more example of how Wisconsin hasn't quite lost its moniker of "offensive lineman university," aka "OLU." The former Badger just agreed to a big NFL contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a 3-year extension up to $51 million that includes $32.5 million in guarantees. It's an amazing deal for the former 6th-round pick out of Wisconsin.
Source: Jaguars reached agreement today with OL Cole Van Lanen on a three-year, $51 million extension that includes $32.5 million guaranteed. Deal could be worth up to $55.5 million with incentives. pic.twitter.com/1pvVemY17S
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2026
Cole Van Lanen just signed a multi-million dollar extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars
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Cole Van Lanen played for the Badgers from 2016 to 2020. He was the starting left tackle for Wisconsin and, in 2018, was rated as the nation's highest-graded offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus (90.4). He continued to prove that he was one of the best linemen the next few years, landing him as a sixth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers.
He only played one season for the Packers, and mostly that was on the practice squad before he was traded to the Jaguars. Jacksonville gave him a shot, and he proved he was worth the trade and then worth more than his 6th-round pick.
He has been one of their best lineman, and now he's getting paid to continue to protect Trevor Lawrence for the foreseeable future. Life is good for the former Badger, and he, along with a long line of other former linemen, continues to show that Wisconsin is known for linemen.
Now, to return to that glory with the new offensive line coach that Luke Fickell hired before this season, Eric Mateos. It's been a full season since the Badgers have sent more top linemen to the NFL, but last season did see two linemen get invited or drafted onto NFL rosters: Jack Nelson and Joe Huber. Time to continue to make Wisconsin OLU.