After looking at the Wisconsin Badgers running backs and quarterback depth charts this week, today I switch over to the wide receivers. This has now become a room loaded with talent and depth. It’s been a long time since the Badgers had a room like this. Luke Fickell and his staff were busy keeping production from last season and adding their own targets as well. With the air raid offense of offensive coordinator Phil Longo, this could be a position that could produce a ton of yards and touchdowns this season.
Starters- Chimere Dike, Will Pauling, Bryson Green
It’s really hard to say who are starters and who are reserves with this unit. It’s because Phil Longo has said he would ideally like to have six receivers in his receiving rotation. We don’t know if there will be shuffling of receivers or if there are three “starters” or not. For the sake of this article, I will assume there are two units.
Chimere Dike should be the number one receiving option. After recording 689 yards on 47 receptions last season, Dike is Wisconsin’s most experienced receiver. He can play both the sideline and the slot as well. I think we will see Dike playing on the end more often with the addition of Pauling. There’s not doubt Dike is WR1.
Will Pauling will likely be the starting slot receiver. The transfer from Cincinnati played under Luke Fickell last season and brings a lot of speed to the field. Pauling also had a really nice spring season and was a standout consistently. Dike could play the slot as well, but I think Pauling gets the nod to begin the season.
#Badgers OC Phil Longo on Oklahoma State transfer Bryson Green.
"The addition of Bryson in the fall will give us a guy that's as strong, if not our strongest receiver out there.
"Physically, he brings something different. It'll be good to have a guy out there that can handle…
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 1, 2023
The third receiver I think is a battle between Bryson Green, Skyler Bell, and C.J. Williams. Even though Green missed the entire spring season with injury, he will be a full go for fall camp today. As a result, I am going to stick Green as the third receiver. He had a productive season at Oklahoma State last season with 36 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns. Those five touchdowns led the Cowboys.
Second Team- C.J. Williams, Skyler Bell, Keontez Lewis
CJ Williams repping with the first-team offense is such an encouraging development.
The former five-star wideout has arguably the highest ceiling among UW’s pass catchers and could develop into a true WR1 for Wisconsin down the road. #Badgers
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) April 19, 2023
I really like C.J. Williams and I think he is Wisconsin’s most talented receiver. I also believe he will be WR1 for Wisconsin in 2024. However, he is still new to the college game after only recording four catches for 34 yards last season at USC. I think game action at the college level takes time to get used to. It might take Williams some time, but once he gets adjusted to the speed of the game, I would not be surprised if he was a starter by the end of the season.
If Bryson Green is not ready by the season opener and needs some time to get adjusted into the swing of things, don’t be surprised if Skyler Bell is the third wide out to begin the season. As WR2 for Wisconsin last season, Bell had 30 receptions for 444 yards and five touchdowns. It was a very productive season for Bell in his first year of full time action. He will be in the thick of this receiving rotation and should see a lot of snaps this season too.
Keontez Lewis had some flashes last season especially with the deep ball. He was the deep threat option for Graham Mertz and could serve a similar role this season. Last season was his first productive year for Wisconsin as well with 20 receptions for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
Others To Keep An Eye On
I think Vinny Anthony II, Quincy Burroughs, and Chris Brooks Jr are three young receivers to keep an eye on. I expect Anthony to be the return specialist with his speed and experience from a season ago. Burroughs also had some good moments in the spring and could see time in clean up time. Up until an injury in the middle of the spring season, Brooks Jr was one of the better receivers early on. He made some impressive catches which was noted by individuals who had access to practice. He could be a name to keep an eye on this year or into next year.
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