The Badgers have a mix of new faces and key returners on offense.
There are still over two months left until fall camp begins for Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers, so it’s a great time to take a deep breath and assess where the squad is as the summer doldrums descend on both the team and fanbase.
Today’s task is detailing the five players on offense who I believe are the most vital to the team’s success this fall. This is more of an educated eye test than a deep analytical dive, but I’ll still make my case for each of them. (The Defense version of this will drop next week.)
5. WR Trech Kekahuna
Most observers saw 2024 as the speedy slot man’s breakout year, but it simply never came to fruition in Phil Longo’s flawed and predictable offense, which was hamstrung by an inconsistent passer who simply couldn’t keep defenses honest.
An injury that kept him out almost all spring only raises the stakes here, as no Badger has had a wider potential-to-production gap. A healthy, effective Kekahuna would be a massive boon to the Badgers’ offensive attack, helping running back and deep threats in equal measure by providing a ready safety valve with wheels for Billy Edwards.
4. WR Vinny Anthony
The speedy deep threat was one of Wisconsin’s few bright spots in an underwhelming 2024, and there’s no reason to think he can’t build upon things in 2025.
This may even be likely after the Badgers added a second legitimate deep threat with Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard. It’s not hard to imagine the team stretching the field more this season, and Anthony will be a big reason why.
3. RB Dilin Jones
I’m going out on a limb here by picking Jones as my workhorse Wisconsin RB, but that’s how I believe he’d be most effective.
No, the talented, sturdy back isn’t Jonathan Taylor, but he has a tangible upside as a bellcow type, and I simply like the cut of his jib (think Corey Clement).
This doesn’t mean that there won’t be a role for Cade Yacamelli and Darrion Dupree, as I believe that both will get significant touches in Jeff Grimes’ run-first offense. But, in the past, Wisconsin’s best rushing seasons have featured a bellcow, and I see that shaping up to be Jones this fall.
2. Left Tackle (TBD)
A few weeks ago, this slot would have gone to Kevin Heywood. The fact that the young stud was lost to an ACL tear changes nothing as far as how important the left tackle position will be as a stern litmus test for how Grimes’ attack will function.
Will it be Joe Brunner? Leyton Nelson? Someone else? Fall camp will reveal all, but what is known now is that this is a massive challenge for the offensive line room and coach AJ Blazek.
If the Badgers hope to have a solid season, it’s one that they must pass.
1. QB Billy Edwards Jr.
The reports out of spring ball were positive for the Maryland transfer, so there’s reason for optimism here.
But, there have also been some understandable growing pains for Edwards as he adjusts to a new offense and set of teammates. Confident, with a nice blend of size, wheels, and arm strength, Edwards appears poised to significantly elevate the quarterback room from 2024.
The caveat here is that particular bar isn’t very high, so he’ll need to be significantly better than Braedyn Locke to move the needle, given the Badgers’ hellish schedule. Staying healthy will be a good start, something that’s proven elusive for Wisconsin quarterbacks over the last two seasons, effectively derailing both campaigns.
Coming Next Week: The Five Most Important Wisconsin Players on Defense