The Wisconsin Badgers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Wisconsin Badgers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Badgers represent the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.
Although Wisconsin began competing in intercollegiate football in 1889, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1946. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since 1946, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Badgers have reached a bowl game every year since then, giving recent players an extra game each year to accumulate statistics. Similarly, the Badgers have played in the Big Ten Football Championship Game five times since its establishment in 2011.
These lists are updated through the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1Darrell Bevell7,6861992 1993 1994 19952Joel Stave7,6352012 2013 2014 20153John Stocco7,2272003 2004 2005 20064Brooks Bollinger5,6271999 2000 2001 20025Alex Hornibrook5,438 2016 2017 20186Graham Mertz 5,405 2019 2020 2021 20227Scott Tolzien5,2712008 2009 2010 20118Randy Wright5,0031981 1982 19839Mike Samuel4,9891995 1996 1997 199810Jim Sorgi 4,498 2000 2001 2002 2003
+ Single season1Russell Wilson3,17520112John Stocco2,92020053Jack Coan2,72520194Scott Tolzien2,70520095Joel Stave2,68720156Alex Hornibrook2,644 20177Tyler Donovan2,60720078Joel Stave2,49420139Scott Tolzien2,459201010Darrell Bevell2,3901993
+ Single game1Darrell Bevell4231993 Minnesota2Ron Vander Kelen401 1962 USC(Rose Bowl)3Tyler Donovan3922007 Illinois4Jim Sorgi3802003 Michigan State5Tanner Mordecai3782023 LSU6Jack Coan3632019 Central Michigan7Colton Joseph3622026 Eastern Michigan8Braedyn Locke3592024 Purdue9Tony Lowery3551990 Northwestern10Darrell Bevell3521995 Iowa
Passing completion percentage
+ Career (Minimum 300 attempts)1Russell Wilson72.8%20112Scott Tolzien68.1%2008 2009 20103Jack Coan 68.0% 2017 2018 20194Darrell Bevell61.4%1992 1993 1994 19955Alex Hornibrook 60.5% 2016 2017 20186Graham Mertz59.5%2019 2020 2021 2022 Joel Stave59.5%2012 2013 2014 20158Tyler Donovan58.8%2004 2005 2006 20079John Stocco57.2%2003 2004 2005 200610Mike Howard56.1%1983 1984 1985 1986
+ Single season (Minimum 100 attempts)1Scott Tolzien72.9%20102Russell Wilson72.8%20113Jack Coan69.6%20194Darrell Bevell67.8%19935Bart Houston65.1%20166Darrell Bevell65.0%1995Tanner Mordecai65.0% 20238Scott Tolzien64.3%20099Alex Hornibrook62.3% 201710Joel Stave61.9%2013
+ Single game (Minimum 10 attempts)1Graham Mertz95.2% 2020 Illinois2Alex Hornibrook94.7% 2017 BYU3Darrell Bevell94.4% 1993 Northwestern4Russell Wilson94.1% 2011 Minnesota5Scott Tolzien93.3% 2010 Michigan6 Mike Samuel 92.3% 1997 San Diego State7Bart Houston91.7% 2016 Western Michigan(Cotton Bowl)8Darrell Bevell90.0% 1995 SMU9Brooks Bollinger90.0% 1999 Indiana10John Stocco88.2% 2006 Indiana
Passing touchdowns
+ Career1Darrell Bevell591992 1993 1994 19952Joel Stave482012 2013 2014 20153John Stocco472003 2004 2005 2006 Alex Hornibrook47 2016 2017 20185Randy Wright381981 1982 1983 Brooks Bollinger381999 2000 2001 2002 Graham Mertz382019 2020 2021 20228Jim Sorgi332000 2001 2002 2003 Russell Wilson33201110Scott Tolzien322008 2009 2010
+ Single season1Russell Wilson3320112Alex Hornibrook2520173Joel Stave2220134John Stocco2120055Randy Wright191983Darrell Bevell191993Graham Mertz1920228Jack Coan1820199John Stocco172006Darrell Bevell171994Jim Sorgi172003Tyler Donovan172007
+ Single game1Darrell Bevell51993 NevadaJim Sorgi52003 Michigan StateGraham Mertz52020 IllinoisGraham Mertz52022 Northwestern5 13 times by nine players 4 Most recent: Alex Hornibrook vs. Miami, 2017
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Ron Dayne7,125 1996 1997 1998 19992Jonathan Taylor6,174 2017 2018 20193Montee Ball5,140 2009 2010 2011 20124Melvin Gordon4,9152011 2012 2013 20145Anthony Davis4,6762001 2002 2003 20046James White4,0152010 2011 2012 20137P.J. Hill3,9422006 2007 20088Billy Marek3,7091972 1973 1974 19759Braelon Allen3,4942021 2022 202310Brent Moss3,4281991 1992 1993 1994
+ Single season1Melvin Gordon2,58720142Jonathan Taylor2,19420183Ron Dayne2,10919964Ron Dayne2,03419995Jonathan Taylor2,00320196Jonathan Taylor1,97720177Montee Ball1,92320118Montee Ball1,83020129Michael Bennett1,681200010Brent Moss1,6371993
+ Single game1Melvin Gordon4082014 Nebraska2Ron Dayne3391996 Hawaii3Jonathan Taylor3212018 Purdue4Billy Marek3041974 Minnesota5Anthony Davis3012002 Minnesota6Ron Dayne2971996 Minnesota7Michael Bennett2932000 Northwestern8Michael Bennett2902000 Oregon9Ron Dayne2891996 Illinois10Melvin Gordon2592014 Northwestern
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Montee Ball772009 2010 2011 20122Ron Dayne711996 1997 1998 19993Jonathan Taylor502017 2018 20194James White452010 2011 2012 2013Melvin Gordon452011 2012 2013 20146Billy Marek441972 1973 1974 19757Anthony Davis422001 2002 2003 2004P.J. Hill422006 2007 20089John Clay412008 2009 201010Corey Clement362013 2014 2015 2016
+ Single season1Montee Ball3320112Melvin Gordon2920143Brian Calhoun2220054Montee Ball2220125Ron Dayne211996Jonathan Taylor2120197Ron Dayne2019998Billy Marek181974John Clay182009Montee Ball182010
+ Single game1Billy Marek51974 MinnesotaAnthony Davis52002 MinnesotaBrian Calhoun52005 Bowling GreenBrian Calhoun52005 IllinoisMelvin Gordon52014 Bowling Green 6 18 times by 9 players 4 Most recent: Jonathan Taylor vs. Kent State, 2019
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Brandon Williams2022002 2003 2004 2005Jared Abbrederis2022010 2011 2012 20133Lee Evans1751999 2000 2001 20034Nick Toon1712008 2009 2010 20115Travis Beckum1592006 2007 20086Jake Ferguson1452018 2019 2020 20217Alex Erickson1412013 2014 20158Troy Fumagalli1352014 2015 2016 20179Al Toon1311982 1983 1984 Danny Davis III131 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
+ Single season1Jared Abbrederis7820132Alex Erickson7720153Lee Evans752001Travis Beckum7520075Will Pauling7420236Lee Evans642003Nick Toon6420118Travis Beckum6120069Brandon Williams592005Quintez Cephus592019
+ Single game1Tyrell Henry142026 Eastern Michigan2Matt Nyquist131995 Iowa3Jared Abbrederis122013 Penn State4Pat Richter111962 USC(Rose Bowl)Jimmy Jones111964 NorthwesternLouis Jung111965 ColoradoChris Chambers112000 PurdueChris Chambers112000 IowaBrian Calhoun112005 NorthwesternTravis Beckum112007 Illinois
Receiving yards
+ Career1Lee Evans3,4681999 2000 2001 20032Jared Abbrederis3,1402010 2011 2012 20133Brandon Williams2,9242002 2003 2004 20054Nick Toon2,4472008 2009 2010 20115Travis Beckum2,1492006 2007 20086Al Toon2,1031982 1983 19847Chris Chambers2,0041997 1998 1999 20008Tony Simmons1,9911994 1995 1996 19979Lee DeRamus1,9741991 1992 199310Alex Erickson1,8772013 2014 2015
+ Single season1Lee Evans1,54520012Lee Evans1,21320033Brandon Williams1,09520054Jared Abbrederis1,08120135Travis Beckum98220076Alex Erickson97820157Jared Abbrederis93320118Nick Toon92620119Lee DeRamus920199310Travis Beckum9032006
+ Single game1Lee Evans2582003 Michigan State2Al Toon2521983 Purdue3Lee Evans2282001 Michigan State4Lee Evans2142003 Akron5Jared Abbrederis2072013 Ohio State6Tim Ware1931990 Northwestern7Chris Chambers1912000 Iowa8Chimere Dike1852022 Northwestern9Lee Evans1822001 Fresno State10Lee Evans1752001 Iowa
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1Lee Evans271999 2000 2001 20032Tony Simmons231994 1995 1996 19973Jared Abbrederis232010 2011 2012 20134Al Toon191982 1983 1984Jonathan Orr192002 2003 2004 20056Nick Toon182008 2009 2010 20117Jacob Pedersen172010 2011 2012 20138Chris Chambers161997 1998 1999 2000Garrett Graham162006 2007 2008 200910Pat Richter151960 1961 1962Lee DeRamus151991 1992 1993
+ Single season1Lee Evans1320032Nick Toon1020113Al Toon91983Lee Evans920015Pat Richter81961Tony Simmons81994Jonathan Orr82002Jonathan Orr82005Jared Abbrederis82011Jacob Pedersen82011
+ Single game1Lee Evans52003 Michigan State2Jonathan Orr42005 Northwestern3Dave Howard31955 IowaPat Richter31961 IllinoisLee Evans32001 Michigan StateOwen Daniels32005 TempleGarrett Graham32009 Michigan StateDanny Davis32017 Miami(Orange Bowl)Jake Ferguson32020 IllinoisChimere Dike32022 Northwestern
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1Darrell Bevell7,477 1992 1993 1994 19952Brooks Bollinger7,394 1999 2000 2001 20023Joel Stave7,3692012 2013 2014 20154Ron Dayne7,125 1996 1997 1998 19995John Stocco7,083 2003 2004 2005 20066Jonathan Taylor6,174 2017 2018 20197Mike Samuel5,750 1995 1996 1997 19988Graham Mertz5,384 2019 2020 2021 20229Randy Wright5,350 1981 1982 198310Scott Tolzien5,262 2008 2009 2010 2011
+ Single season1Russell Wilson3,513 20112John Stocco2,888 20053Jack Coan2,747 20194Scott Tolzien2,713 20095Tyler Donovan2,60720076Melvin Gordon2,587 20147Joel Stave2,564 20158Alex Hornibrook2,543 20179Randy Wright2,481 198210Joel Stave2,472 2013
+ Single game1Tyler Donovan4192007 Illinois2Darrell Bevell4161993 Minnesota3Melvin Gordon4082014 Nebraska Colton Joseph4082026 Eastern Michigan5Ron Vander Kelen4061962 USC(Rose Bowl)6Tony Lowery3951990 Northwestern7Russell Wilson3842011 Northern Illinois8Tanner Mordecai3752023 LSU9Jim Sorgi3672003 Michigan State10Jack Coan3632019 Central Michigan
All-purpose yards
+ Career1Ron Dayne7,429 1996 1997 1998 19992Jonathan Taylor 6,581 2017 2018 20193Brandon Williams5,852 2002 2003 2004 20054Montee Ball5,738 2009 2010 2011 20125James White5,450 2010 2011 2012 20136Melvin Gordon5,317 2011 2012 2013 20147David Gilreath5,265 2007 2008 2009 20108Anthony Davis4,874 2001 2002 2003 20049Jared Abbrederis4,818 2010 2011 2012 201310 Terrell Fletcher 4,322 1991 1992 1993 1994
+ Single season1Melvin Gordon2,740 20142Jonathan Taylor2,255 20193Jonathan Taylor2,254 20184Ron Dayne2,242 19965Montee Ball2,229 20116Brian Calhoun2,207 20057Brandon Williams2,138 20058Jonathan Taylor2,072 20179Ron Dayne2,043 199910Jared Abbrederis1,999 2011
+ Single game1Melvin Gordon4082014 Nebraska2Ron Dayne3471996 Hawaii3Jared Abbrederis3462011 Oregon(Rose Bowl)4Michael Bennett3362000 Oregon5Jonathan Taylor3212018 Purdue6Michael Bennett3202000 Northwestern7Ira Matthews3121978 Minnesota8Billy Marek3041974 MinnesotaRon Dayne3041996 Minnesota10Anthony Davis3012002 Minnesota
Total touchdowns responsible for
+ Career1Montee Ball84 2009 2010 2011 20122Ron Dayne71 1996 1997 1998 19993Brooks Bollinger64 1999 2000 2001 20024Darrell Bevell62 1992 1993 1994 19955Jonathan Taylor55 2017 2018 20196John Stocco54 2003 2004 2005 20067Joel Stave50 2012 2013 2014 20158James White49 2010 2011 2012 2013Melvin Gordon49 2011 2012 2013 201410Mike Samuel47 1995 1996 1997 1998Alex Hornibrook47 2016 2017 2018
+ Single season1Montee Ball40 2011Russell Wilson40 20113Melvin Gordon32 20144Jonathan Taylor26 20195Randy Wright25 1983Alex Hornibrook25 20177Brian Calhoun24 20058John Stocco23 2005Joel Stave23 201310Tyler Donovan22 2007Brooks Bollinger22 2002Montee Ball22 2012Jack Coan22 2019
Defense
Interceptions