Reigning college football national champion Indiana is scoring big in the NFL draft.

Six Hoosiers were selected through five rounds, making the 2026 draft one of the program’s most successful.

Riley Nowakowski is part of the reason why. The tight end who played his high school ball at Marquette was the sixth Indiana player selected Saturday, April 25.

Nowakowski was taken with the 29th pick of the fifth round (169th overall) by Pittsburgh.

USA TODAY gave the selection a B-. CBS Sports liked it a little better, giving it a B.

Nowakowski was a key cog for Indiana’s national championship team, but he played his first five seasons at Wisconsin.

Nowakowski began his career as a walk-on outside linebacker who shifted to fullback before finding a home at tight end.  He played two seasons at that position at Wisconsin but blossomed at Indiana. He was a second-team all-Big Ten selection by the media and a third-team choice on the coaches’ team.

Nowakowski measured at 6-1 ¼ and 250 pounds at the NFL Combine.

He caught 32 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. In the national championship game, he caught two passes for 17 yards and ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

Nowakowski posted times of 4.66 and 1.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split. He also had a vertical jump of 33.5 inches and a broad jump of 9-11.

Wisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Carter Smith (5) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) and offensive lineman Evan Brown (64) are shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Harrison Bortolotti (32) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin wide receivers Malachi Coleman (16) and Keeyshawn Tabuteau (14) are shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin wide receiver Keeyshawn Tabuteau (14) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Bryan Jackson II (21) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) and defensive back Matthew Traynor (13) shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Bryan Jackson II (21) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin tight end Jackson McGohan (87) blocks Wisconsin safety Matt Jung (29) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. \Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin tight end Grant Stec (85) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Deuce Adams (8) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin quarterback Carter Smith (5) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin cornerback Javan Robinson (2) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin cornerback Javan Robinson (2) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive end Charles Perkins (30) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Djidjou Bah (90) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Arthur Scott III (96) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman DeNigel Cooper (93) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu (94) s shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Jacob Anderson (95) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Nolan Vils (92) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Dillan Johnson (76) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin defensive lineman Russell Hammond IV (91) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Wisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.1 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.1 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.2 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.3 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Carter Smith (5) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.4 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) and offensive lineman Evan Brown (64) are shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.5 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Harrison Bortolotti (32) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.6 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin wide receivers Malachi Coleman (16) and Keeyshawn Tabuteau (14) are shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.7 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin wide receiver Keeyshawn Tabuteau (14) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.8 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Bryan Jackson II (21) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.9 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) and defensive back Matthew Traynor (13) shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.10 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.11 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Bryan Jackson II (21) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.12 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.13 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin tight end Jackson McGohan (87) blocks Wisconsin safety Matt Jung (29) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.14 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. \15 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.16 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin tight end Grant Stec (85) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.17 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.18 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Ryan Hopkins (10) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.19 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Deuce Adams (8) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.20 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin quarterback Carter Smith (5) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.21 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin cornerback Javan Robinson (2) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.22 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin cornerback Javan Robinson (2) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.23 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.24 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.25 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.26 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive end Charles Perkins (30) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.27 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Djidjou Bah (90) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.28 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Arthur Scott III (96) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.29 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman DeNigel Cooper (93) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.30 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu (94) s shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.31 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Jacob Anderson (95) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.32 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Nolan Vils (92) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.33 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Dillan Johnson (76) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.34 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin defensive lineman Russell Hammond IV (91) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.35 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.36 / 36Wisconsin Badgers spring football practice at Camp Randall StadiumWisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is shown during spring football practice Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pittsburgh picks tight end Riley Nowakowski in 5th round of NFL draft