Wisconsin offensive lineman Dan Voltz retires

Wisconsin offensive lineman Dan Voltz retired from football Tuesday.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Wisconsin offensive lineman Dan Voltz retired from football Tuesday.

Voltz, who would have been a fifth-year senior for the Badgers, was ranked No. 78 in SI’s top 100 college football players entering the 2016 season.

“It was something that I thought about for a long time and deliberated back and forth,” Voltz said Tuesday. “I just firmly believe when you make a decision in life, you've got to be 100 percent behind it. And that's where I am now. I'm really at peace with my decision. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter and seeing what it brings.”

Voltz’s decision to retire was based largely on injury issues. He missed the final five games of last season due to a torn ACL and meniscus and was still working his way back in fall camp.

The offensive lineman was expected to be selected during next year’s NFL draft.

Redshirt sophomore Michael Deiter replaced Voltz at center last season, and is expected to start there for Wisconsin’s opener.