Blazek signs with Cincinnati Bengals

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Justin Blazek of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.

Blazek joins just a handful of Pioneers in history who have signed with a National Football League team. The most recent Pioneer to play in the NFL was Dan Arnold, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent and played for New Orleans, Arizona, Carolina and Jacksonville acrosse six seasons from 2017-2022. 

Three Pioneers in program history, which include Robert Bergum (1969), Glen Keppy (1970), and Jim Bunch (1971) were each selected in the NFL Draft. 

Blazek put together a fantastic career at UW-Platteville that saw him earn multiple All-America and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Following the 2023 season, Blazek was named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, and D3football.com First Team All-America along with region and conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Naperville, Illinois native finished with 19.5 sacks, 37.0 tackles for loss, 161 tackles, and four interceptions during his time with the Pioneers, including 8.5 sacks and 17.0 tackles for loss in his final season.

Blazek will get his first taste of the NFL at OTAs in May.