Ben Barten’s NFL path has already taken a few turns, and now the former Wisconsin defensive lineman is getting another shot to make a roster.
After going undrafted and then being waived by the New York Giants, Barten has landed with the New York Jets, where he has been practicing since the team signed him. The move gives the former Badgers standout a fresh opening as roster battles tighten heading into the preseason.
Barten arrived in Madison as a three-star prospect in Wisconsin’s 2020 recruiting class, signed out of high school, and didn’t get on the field until the 2022 season. Once a reserve spot opened, he played in seven games that year and finished with four tackles. His role grew in 2023, and he eventually became a starter for the program.
From there, he kept showing up. Barten played in all 37 games Wisconsin has played since earning that starting role, staying in the program through coaching changes, roster turnover and losing seasons - a stretch of loyalty that stands out in the current college football landscape.
After five productive seasons in Madison, Barten entered the NFL Draft once his eligibility was exhausted, but he was not selected. That led to his first pro opportunity with the Giants, though that stop ended with a waiver before preseason roster cuts.
Now he’s with the Jets, and the timing matters. Head coach Aaron Glenn said the team will play its starters in the upcoming preseason game against Tampa Bay, while reserve players are expected to see plenty of action.
At 6-foot-5 and roughly 330 pounds, Barten brings the kind of size that can keep him in the mix. But a spot on the regular season roster won’t be handed to him. He’ll have to beat out the other players fighting for the same opportunity over the next few days.
The Jets added more competition almost immediately. They also claimed defensive tackle Junior Tafuna off waivers. Tafuna started his career as an undrafted free agent, spent the 2025 season on the Houston Texans’ practice squad, and was waived by Houston on August 5th after a successful run in the UFL with the Columbus Aviators, where he posted 6 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
New York also brought in veteran defensive tackle Jack Heflin in Feburary after signing him to a reserve contract. But with Barten and Tafuna now in the building, Heflin will likely be cut, and Barten is most likely headed for a head-to-head battle with Tafuna for a chance to stick.
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