Riley Nowakowski

Early life

Nowakowski attended Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played football as a linebacker and running back. He was named first-team all-state as a senior and earned the John Anderson Award, given to the best senior linebacker in the state of Wisconsin. Nowakowski also competed in track and field and basketball in high school.

College career

Nowakowski began his college career as a walk-on player for the Wisconsin Badgers and redshirted the 2020 season after appearing in four games at linebacker, recording one tackle. He played in two games in 2021, including in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl against the Arizona State Sun Devils. He appeared in 13 games in 2022, converting to fullback and playing special teams. In 2023, he converted to tight end, primarily in a run-blocking role, as Wisconsin's new head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo eliminated the team's fullback position. He was also awarded a scholarship. After missing the beginning of the season due to a foot injury, he played in nine games, including his first career start against the Ohio State Buckeyes, recording seven receptions for 57 yards; Nowakowski also scored his first career touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Nowakowski was named a team captain in 2024 and played in all 12 games, with nine starts, recording 11 receptions for 74 yards. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in each season from 2021 to 2024 at Wisconsin.

Nowakowski transferred to play his final season of NCAA eligibility for the Indiana Hoosiers for the 2025 season, filling a role vacated by Zach Horton, who graduated after 2024. He earned the team's starting tight end role and served as one of the team's rotating game-day captains in six games. Nowakowski scored his first touchdown with Indiana on a one-yard rush in a 56–9 win over the Kennesaw State Owls and made critical blocks on multiple other touchdowns in the game; head coach Curt Cignetti awarded Nowakowski the game ball for his performance, recognizing him as the team's offensive player of the game. In a victory against his former team, the Wisconsin Badgers, Nowakowski scored a touchdown on a 21-yard reception from quarterback Fernando Mendoza. In Indiana's 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship win against the Miami Hurricanes, Nowakowski scored the first touchdown of the game on a one-yard rush. Nowakowski was named second-team All-Big Ten for the 2025 season.