Wisconsin football slot receiver out for the remainder of spring practice: Report
Wisconsin WR Trech Kekahuna is out for spring with a lower-body injury but is expected back for fall camp. Who could step up in his absence?
The Wisconsin football team will be without one of its top offensive weapons for the remainder of spring practice.
A team spokesperson confirmed that redshirt sophomore wide receiver Trech Kekahuna suffered a lower-body injury and will miss what’s left of spring practice.
The Hawaii native was spotted in a walking boot on his left foot, but he’s expected to be back to full strength for fall camp.
For a Wisconsin offense that's undergone significant changes under new coordinator Jeff Grimes, Kekahuna’s absence creates an opportunity for others in Jordan Reid's wide receiver room to step up—particularly in the slot.
The impact of losing Trech Kekahuna this Spring
Retaining Kekahuna was a priority for Wisconsin this offseason.
He briefly entered the transfer portal in December, frustrated with his limited role in the offense, before ultimately choosing to return to the Badgers.
That decision kept a dynamic pass-catcher in Wisconsin’s pipeline, and with Will Pauling now at Notre Dame, Kekahuna is expected to take over as the team's primary slot option in 2025.
“Man, I’m ecstatic about that room right now,” Reid said. “Obviously, you’ve got returners such as Vinny Anthony and Trech Kekahuna—two guys I’m very excited to be able to work with. Both had production last year, and we are expecting big things from them this year.”
Kekahuna saw action in all 12 games for Wisconsin last season, earning one start and hauling in 25 catches for 339 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and two scores.
His 316 offensive snaps ranked fifth among Wisconsin Badgers receivers, and according to Pro Football Focus, Kekahuna earned a 66.3 offensive grade—and 68.7 as a receiver—both above-average marks.
Luke Fickell had plenty of praise for Kekahuna this spring, calling out his competitive nature and the strides he’s made on and off the field.
“A guy like him, who's got incredible competitive spirit, his ability to mature, his ability to understand not just the offense but the game, is where he has continued to grow,” Fickell told reporters.
“And I think that'll show… it showed in the classroom. It's shown in some of the off-the-field things about taking care of your body and developing your body, and it'll continue to show more on the field.”
That process will have to be put on hold for now, but if Kekahuna returns fully healthy for fall camp, he should have every opportunity to carve out a significant role in Grimes’ system as a compliment to boundary receivers Vinny Anthony, Jayden Ballard, and Mark Hamper.
Who steps up in the slot?
With Kekahuna sidelined, spring practice reps in the slot will be up for grabs. Two names to watch: Kyan Berry-Johnson and Michigan State transfer Tyrell Henry.
Berry-Johnson, who appeared in three games last season (21 snaps), has a chance to prove himself as a legitimate option in the two-deep. Henry didn’t see a ton of action in 2024, logging just 27 snaps with one catch for 12 yards, but he did get some opportunities as a punt returner.
Despite Henry lining up out wide for 25 of his 27 offensive snaps last year, his skill set could lend itself to being a better fit in the slot for Grimes. The absence of Kekahuna isn’t ideal, but it does provide Wisconsin with a valuable evaluation window for the rest of the receiver room.
Building depth at wide receiver will be paramount with a challenging 2025 schedule on the horizon and the Badgers still searching for progress on offense after a frustrating 5-7 season. That’s especially true with a new scheme being installed, an overhauled quarterback room, and one of the top transfer tight ends set to play a key role.
For now, all eyes will be on Berry-Johnson, Henry, and the rest of Wisconsin’s pass-catchers battling for reps this spring. Perhaps a freshman like Eugene Hilton Jr., who projects as an outside receiver, could get a shot to show some versatility and pick up extra work in the slot.
But if Kekahuna returns at full strength for fall camp, there’s every reason to believe he’ll play a major role in helping shape the Badgers passing attack in 2025.
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