Although Wisconsin Badger fans were wildly disappointed on NFL Draft night, as for the first time in nearly 50 years, zero Badgers were drafted, hope has begun to spark back again. Most of the hope around Wisconsin football revolves around the team itself, but there is an interesting storyline developing about one of the many Badgers who were signed as UDFAs right after the draft — Mason Reiger.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound outside linebacker was widely regarded as one of, if not the best player to not get selected this past year, making him a very highly sought-after player once he hit the open market. Reiger decided on the Miami Dolphins as his landing spot and has quickly made his mark on the team.
Mason Reiger’s Early Dominance
Reports from the Dolphins’ minicamp have suggested that the rookie has already made a name for himself in his early days with the team. Reiger’s blend of size, athleticism, and bend makes him hard to miss in a more open setting like the rookie minicamp, a combination that comes as no surprise to those who have been following him closely over his football career.
Reiger has consistently been able to stand out in settings surrounded by peers his age, especially in the pre-draft cycle. He dominated the entire week at the Shrine Bowl, eventually taking home MVP honors, which he directly followed up with an impressive combine, logging a 9.63 RAS score. However, physical gifts aren’t enough to get somebody on an NFL team — on-field production matters too.
Mason Reiger’s Path to Success
Although Reiger looks primed to make the roster, just being on the team won’t be enough to get him on the field. In order for him to truly make his mark, he will have to stand out in some way, specializing in a few skills that the team can trust him to execute on any occasion. In his time at Wisconsin, Reiger was virtually an every-down player who had all the opportunity to make things happen. Now, however, he will have to find the things he is truly special at and maximize those.
Nov 22, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Reiger (22) reacts with teammate Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) to sacking Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (not pictured) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images | Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
The easiest and most likely way that he will see the field is through special teams. It often flies under the radar just how important a playmaker is on special teams, but those who are truly special in that facet can create extra possessions for their team and take them away from opponents. Reiger’s athletic tools and nose for the ball will likely get him an opportunity to do that very early on, along with earning the occasional snap as a pass rush specialist on defense.
The road ahead for him is still long and windy, especially as a player who has to earn his way onto the roster as a previous afterthought. However, if Reiger continues to perform the way he has, it will be hard to deny him a spot come the start of the regular season.
