Parker Petersen earned his NFL opportunity, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers, per UW football.
Petersen capped his lone year in Madison as a redshirt senior by playing in all 12 games, giving the Badgers reliable depth up front in a rotation that leaned on multiple bodies. He finished with 17 total tackles, including nine solo stops, and added 1.0 tackle for loss. Petersen also delivered early-season production, making his mark early with at least one tackle in each of Wisconsin’s first seven games.
Petersen’s week-to-week availability highlighted the depth the team built on the DL last year, and stood out as much as his stat line, especially for a position group where injuries and snap counts can swing quickly.
Parker 🤝 Panthers
Congratulations, @ParkerPeterse11!#MadeInMadison x @Pantherspic.twitter.com/uxIxJeFqAR
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 26, 2026
Carolina now gets a defensive lineman who already handled the grind of a full season and found ways to contribute in limited opportunities, a profile that often fits undrafted free agent battles in training camp.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Parker Petersen sign free agent contract Panthers