Report: Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger Named a "Riser" at Shrine Bowl Practices
The former Badger pass rusher is turning heads in Frisco, earning praise from national analysts for his burst and technical refinement.
The Wisconsin football season may be in the rearview mirror, but the road to the NFL is just heating up for one former Badger defender. Mason Reiger is down in Texas making a massive statement. The former Louisville transfer turned Badger sack artist has been turning heads at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and national analysts are starting to take notice.
“Best Available” Dubs Reiger a Riser
In a recent breakdown of the Shrine Bowl practices, Tyler Brooke of the Best Available YouTube channel highlighted Reiger as a player who is rapidly climbing draft boards.
Brooke identified Reiger as a standout during the one-on-one pass-rushing drills—arguably the most scrutinized portion of the week for scouts. He noted that Reiger has been winning consistently, showcasing a combination of initial burst and hand usage that has overwhelmed opposing offensive linemen.
You can watch the full breakdown from Tyler Brooke here: YouTube: Best Available Shrine Bowl Recap
Turning Heads in Texas
For Badger fans who watched Reiger down the stretch of the 2025 season, this isn’t a surprise. After arriving in Madison via the transfer portal, Reiger became a critical piece of Mike Tressel’s defense.
He finished his lone season in Madison with 5.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, but the box score didn’t tell the whole story. Reiger was consistently one of the highest-graded defenders on the team, generating pressure even when he didn’t get home for the sack.
At the Shrine Bowl, those traits are translating against elite competition:
The “Bend”: One of the hardest traits to teach, Reiger has shown the ability to dip his shoulder and turn the corner against NFL-caliber tackles.
Versatility: Scouts are seeing him win from both a two-point (standing up) and three-point stance, fitting the mold of a modern NFL 3-4 outside linebacker.
The Draft Outlook
Before this week, Reiger was widely viewed as a Day 3 sleeper or a priority free agent. However, performances like this in Frisco can change a trajectory overnight. If he continues to stack good days of practice, Reiger could firmly cement himself as a draftable prospect in the middle rounds.
He joins a long list of Badgers looking to make the leap to the pros this April. If Tyler Brooke’s analysis is any indication, Reiger might be the one rising the fastest.
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