The Wisconsin Badgers are known as an offensive lineman factory. Just ask ESPN. Or me. The Badgers consistently send top-tier offensive line talent into the NFL year after year.
RELATED: Wisconsin Badgers 2011 Offensive Line is Worth $34.4 Million Per Year in the NFL
Wisconsin currently has nine offensive linemen in the NFL, and those nine are all at the very least contributors. Five of them are starters, three are backups, and one is a first round pick in 2017 who will compete for a starting job.
Those nine players also collectively rake in a huge paycheck of nearly $50 million per year — a whopping grand total of $49,875,195.
Here's how the nine current Wisconsin Badgers offensive linemen in the NFL are compensated:
| Player | Salary | Pos. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Zeitler | $12,000,000 | G | Cleveland |
| Joe Thomas | $11,500,000 | OT | Cleveland |
| Rick Wagner | $9,500,000 | OT | Detroit |
| Travis Frederick | $9,400,010 | C | Dallas |
| Ryan Groy | $2,500,000 | G | Buffalo |
| Ryan Ramczyk | $2,222,680 | OT | New Orleans |
| Kraig Urbik | $1,250,000 | G | Miami |
| Rob Havenstein | $992,505 | OT | L.A. Rams |
| Tyler Marz | $510,000 | OT | Tennessee |
This group features some of the highest paid players at their respective positions. Joe Thomas is the ninth-highest paid left tackle as he settles into his 11th season in the league.
Ricky Wagner is now the highest paid right tackle in the league after Lane Johnson moved to left tackle. Kevin Zeitler is the highest paid guard in the NFL, and Travis Frederick makes more than any other center.
RELATED: Former Wisconsin Badgers Walk-Ons Currently Make $33 Million Per Year in the NFL
Simply put, if you're a high school offensive lineman and want to give yourself a chance at going pro and succeeding once you get there, Wisconsin is probably a good choice.
