Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler was among the Big Ten's most impressive performers throughout the 2023 campaign. Wohler led all defensive backs in the conference in tackles with 120 takedowns. An even better showcase looms large in 2024.
Wohler recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his breakout 2023 season, maximizing his opportunity at Wisconsin, playing in the box versus back deep, and so much more.
JM: You absolutely exploded last season to record a team-high 120 tackles. It was the most tackles by any defensive back in the Big Ten. Besides more playing time, what changes led to the breakout season for you?
Hunter Wohler: More playing time was obviously a big part of it. I was also a more confident college football player. I had an injury in 2022 that set me back a little bit. Going through an entire offseason healthy played a big factor.
Getting more reps in 2023 built my confidence. I was also able to play a versatile role. The coaching staff trusted me to move all over the field. They put me in good spots to make plays. That was also very beneficial.
JM: You mentioned you only played in six games in 2022 due to injury. Was there a sense of accomplishment after your 2023 season, like yeah, I just needed an opportunity.
Hunter Wohler: In a way, yeah. Obviously, you ’re always happy when you play well. At the same time, I still wasn’t where I wanted to be. I left a lot of plays out there and I have unfinished business.
As a team, Wisconsin wasn’t where we wanted to be. It was a down year by our standards. It was a little bit disappointing because we had higher expectations for our team. The personal accolades are great, but in order for me to view last year as a success, we would’ve needed to be better as a team. I think we can do that this season.
There are only four (4) DBs that have recorded 85+ tackles during the 2023 CFB season.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 9, 2023
Only one (1) has recorded 50+ solo tackles.
That same DB is also the only one that has multiple INT this year.
Wisconsin’s Hunter Wohler - 85 tkls (52 solo), 2 INT
Excellence all over. pic.twitter.com/b7JwgpzD5q
JM: You’re a local guy from Muskego, Wisconsin. I could tell that representing this great Badgers program means so much to you.
Hunter Wohler: It means a lot. It’s very important to me. Being a local product makes it that much more special. I grew up watching Wisconsin Badgers football every Saturday with my family. Being from Wisconsin makes representing this great program such a cool experience. This is my hometown. When we play at home, I have a bunch of family in the stands. It’s so important to me.
There’s nothing better than playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. I feel extremely blessed.
JM: You certainly put your best foot forward for the program last season. In addition to the tackles, you also had eight pass breakups and two interceptions. It’s not like you’re just a DB who can tackle. Talk to me about your ability to get your hands on the football.
Hunter Wohler: It goes back to having the trust of coach Luke Fickell and his entire coaching staff. They moved me around and put me in spots to make plays. When we go through the game plan and install some new calls, I credit the staff for putting us in the right spots.
They always have us ready for Saturday. It then comes down to us going out there and executing our assignments.
JM: The safety has to wear multiple hats, especially in that Wisconsin defense. What’s your favorite aspect of playing the position?
Hunter Wohler: The fact that I get to wear multiple hats (laughs). That’s the best part of it. I love playing all over the field and doing a little bit of everything. I love being our communicator. You always like being versatile. I like moving around and being in different spots.
That’s what makes the game fun. Every opportunity to be versatile is amazing. It’s given me an opportunity to shine.
JM: With that said, are you more comfortable as a center fielder, or do you prefer to play in the box and closer to the line of scrimmage? Almost every safety prefers one or the other.
Hunter Wohler: I prefer playing in the box. I do really like playing in both of those positions though. Every rep is a new opportunity to make a play and make a splash. Those opportunities present themselves all over the field. You just have to be ready when they come your way.
JM: What’s the best game you’ve played in a Wisconsin jersey to date and why?
Hunter Wohler: I would probably say the Georgia Southern game from last season. It was obviously a very good performance for me. I had two inceptions in that game and made a handful of other plays. From an individual perspective, it was probably Georgia Southern.
As a team, the Minnesota game from this past year was our best game. Not having the [Paul Bunyan] Axe my first two years at Wisconsin, that was frustrating. Coming off a rough year, we ended the season with a positive win over Nebraska before taking home the Axe [beating Minnesota] for the first time in my college career.
Ending the season by taking home that Axe, beating Minnesota, that was the best game we had as a team and definitely the most fulfilling.
JM: What a triumph that was for the program. We’ve appreciated your time today. What are your goals for Wisconsin this season?
Hunter Wohler: We’re excited to go out there and compete. We need to perform to our standards this season. We definitely have the talent in our locker room to achieve our goals. We can do something special this year.
If we go out there every Saturday and play the brand of football I know we’re capable of playing, with the guys we have in our room, I think we will be very happy with our season. We just have to keep pushing and grinding.
We can definitely build something special this year. We have to keep taking steps forward.
