A former walk-on linebacker turned versatile blocking weapon who won a national title in his final college season.
Riley Nowakowski's college career took a winding path, from walk-on linebacker to fullback to tight end, before he transferred to Indiana for a storybook final season that ended with a College Football Playoff national championship. The Milwaukee native's blend of size, blocking and receiving ability made him a fifth-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
Path to the league
A first-team all-state linebacker at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Nowakowski walked on at Wisconsin in 2020 before converting first to fullback and then to tight end as the Badgers' scheme changed under coach Luke Fickell. He transferred to Indiana for the 2025 season and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round, 169th overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Nowakowski was named a Wisconsin team captain in 2024 and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of his four seasons there. He capped his college career by helping Indiana win the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship, scoring a touchdown in the title game.
2025 season recap
In his lone season at Indiana, Nowakowski recorded 32 receptions for 387 yards and 2 touchdowns while serving as a rotating game-day captain, including scores against Kennesaw State and rival Wisconsin. He and the Hoosiers finished the season by winning the College Football Playoff national title, and the Steelers signed him to a four-year contract after selecting him in the draft.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Riley Nowakowski
- Steelers.com: Steelers select Nowakowski in fifth round
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Fullback
- Group
- offense
- College
- Indiana
- Hometown
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
