Wisconsin Badgers OT Riley Mahlman Is Among Biggest Snubs From NFL Scouting Combine

Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Riley Mahlman was not invited to the NFL combine, significantly hurting his chances of being taken in the NFL Draft.

Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) was not invited to the NFL combine ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The NFL invited 319 college football players to participate in the NFL combine later this month. Somehow, Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Riley Mahlman wasn't one of them.

The league released the full list of combine invitations Wednesday, and Mahlman's absence was one of the biggest surprises.

NFL Draft analysts on social media were quick to notice, listing him among the top names to not receive an invite.

Biggest snubs I can come up with

Riley Mahlman
Nolan Rucci
James Brockermeyer
Cole Wisenewski
Tyren Montgomery

Probably more, but several of those guys I wanted to see https://t.co/geTcCXd2sa

— Matt Chabot (@Chabotsports) February 11, 2026

Biggest NFL combine snubs on offense:

Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll
Lewis Bond, BC
Devin Voisin, South Alabama
Nolan Rucci, Penn St
Jayden Williams, Ole Miss
Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin
James Brockermeyer, Miami
Pete Nygra, Louisville

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 11, 2026

Notables that did not receive an NFL Combine invite:

• QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss ***
• WR Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll
• RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
• ED Mikail Kamara, Indiana
• WR Cyrus Allen, Cincy
• OT Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin
• RB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
• iOL…

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 11, 2026

Mahlman was one of four Badgers who participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl last month, earning the opportunity to start for the game itself at left tackle.

It's a new position he's still learning after Wisconsin abruptly switched him from right tackle after the first game of the 2025 season.

Still, it's shocking to see a Badgers offensive tackle with three years of starting experience not even get an invitation to the combine.

Related: Only Two Wisconsin Badgers Were Invited to NFL Scouting Combine

This past season, Mahlman allowed only 14 pressures in 12 games, according to PFF. His position switch helped show teams that he has versatility to play both sides at the next level.

At 6-foot-8, 304 pounds, he is the type of physical specimen that NFL teams typically want to see perform the athletic drills in Indianapolis.

Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman is helping himself at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Plays with such control and balance + has a violent punch.

Mahlman played over 2,800 snaps for the Badgers. Tons of experience. pic.twitter.com/TwVrEetjO2

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 24, 2026

Part of what might hold him back is his short arm length, which measured in at 32 and one-eighths inches at the Shrine Bowl. But that should be all the more reason for teams to want to see more measurements of his physical tools at the combine.

It will be an uphill battle for Mahlman to be drafted after missing the combine, but it will be plenty of motivation for him to prove teams wrong and show them he belongs in the NFL.

He and the rest of Wisconsin's draft propsects will get a chance to run the same drills at the Badgers' pro day, with the hopes of hearing their names called on draft weekend.

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