Wisconsin football defensive lineman Elijah Hills received an invite to the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie minicamp on Monday.
Hills is one of three Badger products to earn a minicamp invite, along with Jaheim Thomas and edge rusher John Pius. That trio follows a large group of former Badgers either selected during the 2025 NFL draft or signed as undrafted free agents. Most notably, left tackle Jack Nelson and safety Hunter Wohler were each selected during the draft’s final round. Ignoring former transfers, those two were the program’s only draft picks of the cycle.
Hills is off to the 49ers minicamp after a terrific 2024 season with the Badgers. The lineman transferred into the program last offseason after three years at Albany (Football Championship Subdivision). On a defensive line that badly needed contributors, Hills totaled 26 tackles, six for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery. Those numbers were the best of the position group, along with similar tallies from senior Curt Neal.
The Badgers struggled along the defensive front through the back half of the 2024 season. It is not a coincidence that those struggles coincided with the team’s four-game losing streak to close the year. Hills, however, was among the group’s few bright spots and has arguably been Luke Fickell’s most impactful transfer addition to date.
The veteran lineman was not invited to the NFL combine and did not hear his name called during this weekend’s draft. He’ll now join the 49ers, looking to make an early impression and earn a training camp invite. Out of the group of former Badgers attending minicamps, none should be surprised if Hills plays his way onto an NFL roster.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
#Wisconsin #football #Elijah #Hills #San #Francisco #49ers #minicamp #invite
