The Wisconsin Badgers saw their fair share of turnover this offseason, but are returning a number of key pieces to the fold in 2024, including star safety Hunter Wohler.

Wohler, a rising redshirt junior, compiled 120 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions last season, serving as the leader of Wisconsin’s defense amid a tumultuous season.

As a result, it was unclear whether the safety would entertain NFL conversations, but Wohler elected to remain with the Badgers for another season after seeking feedback, and will look to put together another strong campaign in 2024.

Is he one of the 10 best returning safeties in college football?

Doing their annual Top 10 returners at every position rankings, PFF placed Wohler as a part of the elite group, naming him as the No. 8 safety in college football in 2024.

“Wohler was the second-most valuable safety in the country this past season according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 89.9 PFF coverage grade trailed only Tyler Nubin among the nation’s safeties,” PFF’s Max Chadwick wrote.

“He also doubled as an excellent run-defender as well. His 11 tackles for loss/no-gain were the most among Power Five safeties while his 28 run-defense stops were second. Wohler is an excellent downhill player who’s capable of making plays deep in coverage as well.”

At No. 8, Wohler came in behind Michigan’s Rod Moore, Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa, Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr., Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Purdue’s Dillon Thienemen, Georgia’s Malaki Starks, and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.

Wohler headlines a safety room for Wisconsin that remains as one of the deepest positions on the roster, with Kamo’i Latu, Austin Brown, and Preston Zachman all seeing meaningful snaps a season ago, while redshirt freshman Braedyn Moore is ready for a role increase as well.