Wisconsin Fall Camp Preview: Wide Receiver

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin opens up fall camp on Tuesday in what is a critical year three for the program and head coach Luke Fickell. The Badgers lost some key pieces at wide receiver, but appear poised for a strong year at the position thanks to some returning veterans, young, rising stars, and some additions from the transfer portal.

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

1. Vinny Anthony – Sr.

2. Joseph Griffin – Jr.

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1. Jayden Ballard – Sr.

2. Chris Brooks Jr. – Jr.

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1. Trech Kekahuna – So.

2. Dekel Crowdus – Sr.

Anthony leads the way after a breakout junior season. Leading Wisconsin with 672 yards and four touchdowns on 39 receptions, Anthony had the highest yards per catch average (17.2) by a Badger wide receiver since Brandon Williams in 2005.

The addition of Ballard probably didn’t raise eyebrows nationally, but the Ohio State transfer figures to be a key pickup. Buried in a deep and talented Buckeye receiver core, Ballard has just 11 career receptions to his name, but he was a former four-star and All-American recruit. Based on his spring, Ballard appears to have picked up a thing or two while playing behind some of the best college football had to offer.

Replacing Will Pauling in the slot, Kekahuna originally hit the transfer portal in the off-season, only to return after Pauling did the same and took his talents to Notre Dame. One of the top breakout candidates for the Badgers this fall, Kekahuna racked up 25 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns despite limited opportunities.

NUMBER TO KNOW – 14.2

According to Sports Info Solutions, no other receiver in the Big Ten was more effective against man coverage than Anthony. He paced the league with a 14.2 yards per reception average when it was just him and another cornerback on an island. That tops Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, arguably the best receiver in college football.

YOUNGSTER TO WATCH

I don’t have him in the two-deep, but I believe Eugene Hilton Jr. could push for snaps in 2025 and possibly be a true freshman who does not redshirt. With two of the top three receivers in their final year of eligibility, it makes sense to get Hilton acclimated for 2026. The son of former Indianapolis Colts star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, Eugene was a big recruiting win for the program and has backed up his Rivals four-star status thus far.

“Gene has come in ready to go,” wide receivers coach Jordan Reid said. “I’m excited about Gene. He’s someone that, even with his family background, you worry about kids coming in like that. Is he hungry? Is he just going to come in and think he’s arrived? He’s just worked. Everything he has done has been impressive to see.”

POTENTIAL SURPRISE

Take your pick between Brooks and Griffin. Both receivers have been written off at one time or another during their Wisconsin careers, but both came into spring with a different attack plan and started playing their best ball.

For Brooks, it’s mostly about being healthy. Late in the 2024 season, Brooks started to get some run with the first-team offense and caught a pass at Nebraska, his father’s alma mater.

Due to NCAA rules, Griffin was ineligible last season after transferring in from Boston College. A big play-threat and a two-year starter with the Eagles, Griffin has a proven commodity and had the best play in the Spring Showcase, reeling in a deep ball from Danny O’Neil.

2025 FORECAST

On paper, is this better than the unit Wisconsin had the last two seasons? I don’t think so. Do I think the Badgers are short on playmakers and talent? No.

Clearing some of the clutter might actually be beneficial. As good of a year as Anthony had in 2024, it didn’t feel like he was a focal point of the offense, but rather a guy who just made the most of his opportunities. If I’m UW, I’m force-feeding him this season. Putting a player next to him like Ballard who can also take the top off a defense should take some of the weight off Anthony’s shoulders as well and make it hard to shade him with a safety.

The player I’m most interested in seeing in this new offense is Kekahuna. In the spring, Grimes showed he loved to get receivers involved in the run game and creative quick hitters. Kekahuna, who can’t be caught in a phone booth, should thrive with some of the opportunities he gets to make something out of nothing.

The depth chart is a little top heavy. Depending on what Crowdus looks like this fall, not sure UW wants to take the top three off the field much this season, but going into fall camp, this room is probably 5-6 deep consistently on Saturdays.