How do the Badgers shape up at wide receiver for 2024 and beyond?
The Wisconsin Badgers had some offseason changes at wide receivers, as several players chose to leave the program, leading to a competition for the open starting spot in the spring.
Following the movement in and out, Wisconsin enters the fall season with 10 scholarship wide receivers, holding a good balance between young and veteran talent.
How do the Badgers line up for the 2024 season, and beyond, at the wide receiver position?
2024
Top wideouts Will Pauling and Bryson Green return to the fold, and will assume their starting spots in the slot and on the outside, respectively, in 2024, as Wisconsin looks to improve their downfield passing attack.
Pauling shined a season ago with 74 catches for 837 yards and six touchdowns, taking up significant volume as quarterback Tanner Mordecai’s top target, while Green was second on the team with 32 catches for 480 yards and two touchdowns.
Green had a good spring, building a quick rapport with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who looked to push the ball downfield, which hopefully translates to a better season in 2024.
Behind them, Trech Kekahuna is expected to assume a big role as the second slot receiver after shining a ton this spring. The redshirt freshman flashed on several occasions over the final five games of the season last year, and the combination of him and Pauling should be a tough cover in the slot.
On the outside, Wisconsin had a competition between young wideouts Vinny Anthony, C.J. Williams, and Quincy Burroughs, with Anthony getting the slight edge heading into the fall due to his consistency, according to wideouts coach Kenny Guiton.
However, the Badgers did actively look for a receiver in the spring transfer portal, landing Boston College transfer Joseph Griffin Jr., who has had two productive seasons and provides Wisconsin with good size on the outside.
At the moment, it seems Wisconsin is pretty well set with talent at the receiver position, as they have good top-end talent, as well as competitive depth, to set up a strong rotation both in the slot and on the outside.
The question becomes: how consistent can this group be, and can they uplift the quarterback play?
2025
The Badgers should lose both of their top wideouts next season, with Pauling expected to make the jump to the NFL, while Green will be out of eligibility and likely follows the same path.
Still, Wisconsin is in good shape at wideout, as Kekahuna should step into a bigger role in the slot, while 2024 four-star Kyan Berry-Johnson could be a factor after making a number of plays this spring as a true freshman.
On the outside, Wisconsin has a ton of options with Williams, Griffin, Anthony, and Burroughs all still with eligibility, leading to some more competition for the two starting spots.
Of course, the transfer portal could be in play if Wisconsin is looking for a more experienced receiver to pair with their group on the outside.
Additionally, the Badgers are looking in good shape with their 2025 recruiting class, as they picked up a commitment from four-star receiver Cameron Miller, who projects as a slot receiver at the next level.
They’ll be hosting several wideouts on official visits, with the possibility of adding two more guys to the fold as they target both outside and slot receivers in the class.