Wisconsin CB Ricardo Hallman Gets One More Shot to Shine in Inaugural American Bowl
Ricardo Hallman isn’t done yet.
The veteran Wisconsin cornerback will get one more chance to showcase his skills on a national stage, as he’s accepted an invite to the inaugural American Bowl this January - a new postseason all-star game featuring some of the top college football players in the country. For Hallman, it’s a timely opportunity to remind NFL scouts of the player he’s been - and the one he still could be.
Hallman’s journey with the Badgers began back in 2021, after arriving in Madison as a three-star recruit out of Florida in the 2020 class. Over the years, he’s grown into a key part of Wisconsin’s secondary, logging 87 tackles, 10 interceptions, and a pick-six during his college career.
His breakout came in 2023, when he snagged seven interceptions and looked like a rising star in the Big Ten. But the road since then hasn’t been quite as smooth.
This past season, Hallman’s production dipped. After allowing just 50.8% of passes to be completed against him in 2023, that number jumped to 68.8% in 2025.
Injuries played a role, and so did some tough matchups - particularly against top-tier programs like Ohio State and Alabama, where he struggled to keep pace with elite receivers. Over the last two seasons, he’s been tagged for eight touchdowns after surrendering just four in his first three years combined.
Now, Hallman enters the pre-draft process with something to prove. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he’s considered a bit undersized for an NFL corner, and with his recent dip in production, he’s currently ranked around the 50th defensive back in this year’s draft pool. That’s not where he wants to be - and that’s what makes the American Bowl so important.
The game, which will be played for the first time in 2026, is more than just another all-star showcase. It’s a unique collaboration between Zero Mils and Soldiers to Sidelines, organizations focused on creating post-service opportunities for military veterans in football.
Ten of the coaches on the field will be veterans themselves, and two “Soldier Ops” coaches have helped assemble the rosters. It’s a game with purpose - both for the players looking to elevate their draft stock, and for the veterans stepping into coaching roles at a high level.
For Hallman, it’s a chance to line up against some of the best receivers in college football and reset the narrative around his game. BYU’s Chase Roberts and Youngstown State’s Max Tomczak - two of the most productive wideouts in the country - are among the top offensive talents headed to the American Bowl.
Roberts put up 2,529 yards and 17 touchdowns on 163 catches over four seasons with the Cougars. Tomczak, meanwhile, racked up 3,010 yards and 15 touchdowns on 224 receptions during his time with the Penguins.
Those are the kinds of matchups Hallman needs. NFL teams want to see how he holds up in one-on-ones against pro-caliber receivers. They want to see the instincts that made him a ballhawk in 2023, the footwork that kept him tight in coverage, and the confidence to bounce back from a tough final season in Madison.
Wisconsin may not be heading to a bowl game this year, but Hallman’s story isn’t finished yet. The American Bowl gives him a platform - and if he can deliver, it just might be the spark he needs to reignite his NFL hopes.