Despite going undrafted in this spring's NFL Draft, a former Badger offensive lineman will be the first Wisconsin rookie to start a game this year when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns in London.
While safety Hunter Wohler and tackle Jack Nelson heard their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft, it will actually be undrafted free agent Joe Huber who will be the first Badger rookie to start a game.
Injured Vikings turn to former Badger Joe Huber to start against Cleveland
With the Vikings' offensive line ailing, and first round pick Donovan Jackson out with a wrist injury, Huber will get the nod on Sunday and make his first career NFL start. Unfortunely for Huber, he'll likely need to block the best defensive player in the league in Myles Garrett. However, coach Kevin O'Connell has all the confidence in the world in the former Badger lineman.
“Joe was one of those guys that probably, I don’t always tell you guys this, he probably made the team a heck of a lot earlier than the cutdown day," said O'Connell. While it was long debated if Huber deserved a spot on the final 53-man roster, it appears the coach had his mind made up well before any of the fans did.
Huber spent his first few season with Cincinnati before following coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin, where he earned third team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. He'll now look to secure an extremely banged up Viking offensive line and start his career off on the right foot.