Former Badger is set to make 'strange but true' history this upcoming season

The Wisconsin Badgers’ 2025 football season was far from historic. The team finished with just a 4-8 record and, in the offseason, was left with even more disappointment as, for the first time in over 30 years, zero active Badgers were drafted. However, NFL teams still took notice of the talent in Wisconsin, signing numerous former Badgers as UDFAs.

Edge rusher Darryl Peterson was one of said players who was signed following the draft, and is now set to make history. Peterson’s brother, and the far more renowned Darryn Peterson, is also an accomplished athlete and is set to make his mark in another professional league this upcoming year.

Darryn, a projected top-three pick in the NBA draft, will complete the other half of the first-ever pair of brothers to enter the NBA and NFL in the same year. This achievement may be a bit niche, but it is still a cool accomplishment for the former Badger and his brother, along with being a testament to just how athletic his family is.

Standout Genetics

Darryl was a standout at Wisconsin over his five-year career, finishing it off with a stellar senior season where he recorded 6.5 sacks. However, despite his collegiate success, Peterson still didn't hear his name called on draft night, mostly due to reasons out of his control. Despite being productive and athletic enough to get selected, Peterson’s 6-foot-1 frame makes him quite a bit undersized for a position where first contact is extremely valuable, causing him to slip off draft boards.

However, the Los Angeles Rams were still willing to take a swing on him, signing him to a relatively lucrative three-year, $3.1 million unrestricted free agent contract. Clearly, the Rams believe in his talents, giving him an opportunity to prove himself right out of the gates.

Darryn, on the other hand, has much less to prove, but far more pressure on him, as after his one and only season at Kansas, he is on to the NBA. The 6-foot-6 guard was stellar in his freshman season, averaging 20.2 points a game despite dealing with some serious health issues. Because of his prowess, Peterson is seemingly a lock for the top three on draft night, although anything can happen.

Nonetheless, the pair of brothers are ready and waiting to make an impact with their respective teams when the time comes, making a little bit of history along the way.

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