Wohler, Hallman and Vakos garner All-Big Ten honors
November 28, 2023 | Football
All-Big Ten defense and special teams honors were revealed on Tuesday
MADISON, Wis. - All-Big Ten defensive and special teams selections were revealed by the conference on Tuesday afternoon. Wisconsin's Hunter Wohler (S), Ricardo Hallman (CB) and Nathanial Vakos (K) all earned spots across the Big Ten's all-conference teams.
Wohler, a junior safety who has racked up 113 tackles this season, earned second team All-Big Ten honors (media). Hallman, who leads the Big Ten with six interceptions this season, secured third team All-Big Ten accolades (media).
Vakos, the Badgers' sophomore place-kicker, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. He converted 14-of-17 field goals and went 30-for-30 on extra points in his first season as a Badger.
HUNTER WOHLER
2nd media / 3rd coaches
Junior - Safety - Muskego, Wis.
Wohler ranks second in the Big Ten with 113 tackles this season, the most for a Badger since LB Leo Chenal tallied 115 in 2021. Wohler's 113 tackles are the most for any Power 5 defensive backs in the country this season.
Wohler is the first Big Ten defensive back to post 110+ tackles, multiple interceptions and a sack in the same season since 2010. He's one of two Badgers to do so since 1966 (Reggie Holt - 1991).
A Muskego, Wis., native, Wohler earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after making 10 tackles and picking off two passes in Wisconsin's win over Georgia Southern on Sept. 16. Wohler also added a sack in the Badger victory.
In Big Ten play, Wohler matched a career high with 13 tackles in Wisconsin's road win over Illinois on Oct. 21. Wohler also tallied double-digit tackles in games against Northwestern and Minnesota.
RICARDO HALLMAN
3rd media / Honorable mention coaches
Redshirt sophomore - Cornerback - Miami, Fla.
Hallman has tallied six interceptions this season, good for a share of the Big Ten lead. Hallman is the first Badger cornerback to grab six interceptions in a season since Jamar Fletcher did so in 2000.
Hallman snatched interceptions against Georgia Southern (1), Purdue (2), and Rutgers (1) earlier this season, giving him picks in three straight games. Hallman provided a game-changing moment against Rutgers, halting a scoring chance with a 95-yard pick-six to give Wisconsin a 17-0 lead. Wisconsin would go on to win 24-13 to improve to 2-0 in its Big Ten slate.
Hallman added interceptions against Ohio State and Minnesota to push his total to six, the most for a Badger since 2015. Hallman finished the regular season as one of four players in the nation to tally six or more interceptions this fall.
NATHANIAL VAKOS
Honorable mention media
Sophomore - Kicker - Avon, Ohio
Vakos made an immediate impact in his first season as a Badger. A Lou Garza Award semifinalist, Vakos has converted 14-of-17 field goals and has only one miss inside of 50 yards this season.
Vakos converted on his first eight field goal attempts of the season to become the first Badger to start a season 8-for-8 since 1998. Vakos went 3-for-3 in the Big Ten opener at Purdue, helping propel the Badgers to a 38-17 win while reeling in Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Two weeks later, he drilled a 52-yarder vs. Iowa, the Badgers’ longest FG since 2019 and the T-6th longest make in program history.
Vakos was one of only three Big Ten kickers to log only one miss from inside 50 yards this year. He finished the regular season with a perfect 30-for-30 clip on extra points.
