What Mason Reiger said about Green Bay Packers interest should excite Wisconsin fans

The Wisconsin Badgers have two players at the NFL Combine this week: outside linebacker Mason Reiger and wide receiver Vinny Anthony II. Reiger was the first to take the podium, and he mentioned a potential opportunity to stay in Wisconsin. Reiger said that the Green Bay Packers met with him when he was at the Shrine Bowl. This would be exciting for Wisconsin fans, as they know the ceiling for Reiger is high.

Reiger will need to prove a few things at the NFL Combine this week to continue to elevate his draft stock but his performance at the East to West Shrine Bowl put his name on many NFL Scout Big Boards.

Mason Reiger says he met with the Green Bay Packers at the Shrine Bowl

Related: How can Mason Reiger and Vinny Anthony II boost their draft stock at the NFL Combine?

Reiger was a transfer to Wisconsin out from the Louisville Cardinals, and while he only played one year for the Badgers, he was a force. He put a ton of pressure on quarterbacks all season and helped the Wisconsin defense be one of the better units in the Big Ten. The defense wasn't the reason the Badgers couldn't win games.

After Wisconsin, Reiger was invited to the Shrine Bowl instead of the Senior Bowl, but he impressed all week in the practices and scout performances. He continued to get mentioned every day as a standout performer by media members. Reiger then went and dominated on the defense and won defensive MVP.

That performance had him skyrocketing up NFL Mock Drafts and onto NFL Draft boards. He will need to continue to impress NFL Scouts as he is still projected to be about a 6th-round pick. However, that's exactly what he's planning to do this week.

His first interview about having Packers interest will excite Wisconsin fans about keeping him in the state, but ultimately, his performing well and continuing the OLB-U tradition at Wisconsin may even be more important.