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Wisconsin Football: A Look at 2023’s Wide Receiver Corps

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Wisconsin Badgers football

Where do the new additions stack up for Wisconsin football in 2023?

Wisconsin football has made many transfer portal additions over the past few weeks.

With the additions, the UW offense will undergo changes with new offensive coordinator Phil Longo in the fold. One group that could be subject to changes is the wide receivers.

UW brought in two new transfer wide receivers, Will Pauling and Quincy Burroughs. With the additions, the Badgers have bolstered their young talent in the receiver corps.

Pairing the two new receivers with other weapons like Skyler Bell, Markus Allen, and Vinny Anthony gives the Badgers plenty of youth in the receiver room. The question is, how will the position shake out with new pass catchers in the fold?

Wisconsin football 2022 receiving contributors

Wisconsin relied on four targets for most of the 2022 season. Chimere Dike led all receivers with 47 receptions for 689 yards and six touchdowns. Skyler Bell also made a significant impact in his redshirt sophomore season, hauling in 30 receptions for 444 yards and five touchdowns in 2022.

More 2023 commitments for Nebraska ...

Keontez Lewis and Dean Engram rounded out the Badgers’ top four receiving contributors. Lewis secured 20 receptions for 313 yards and three touchdowns, while Engram caught 13 passes for 152 yards. All four receivers will likely take a big step forward under Longo’s air raid offense. However, where do the new additions fit into all of this?

Burroughs and Pauling’s 2023 outlook

Pauling and Burroughs are both former Cincinnati receivers who followed Luke Fickell to Wisconsin after entering the portal. Pauling earned some time in 2022, posting 12 catches for 122 yards as a redshirt freshman. Meanwhile, Burroughs, a true freshman, did not play in his freshman season.

Both players have unique abilities that make them stand out as receivers. Pauling is a slot receiver with a quick burst off the line and can easily use his footwork to create separation. On the other hand, Burroughs is a big-bodied receiver who can overpower cornerbacks as a blocker but also has excellent agility to make defenders miss in the open field. With these abilities, both receivers can contribute to the revamped offense in their own ways.

With Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell having standout seasons last year, it’s no surprise they’ll likely be the team’s best targets in 2023. However, the new additions should be able to make their impacts as players with plenty of upside and chances to develop.

Pauling will have the opportunity to compete with Dean Engram for the second-string slot receiver spot. Engram was serviceable as Wisconsin’s second slot option, and that competition will be one to watch in spring ball.

Burroughs will compete for reps with Keontez Lewis and Skyler Bell. Both receivers were stalwarts in the passing game, which may make it tough to get the starting nod. However, Burroughs has the fundamentals to make him an excellent option as a second-string receiver with the chance to move up. UW will have some solid choices in the passing game regardless of where these receivers end up on the depth chart.

The Badgers offense is going to be one that Wisconsin football fans aren’t used to. However, it should bring plenty of excitement. With young targets all over the field, Wisconsin’s air raid offense will be must-see TV in 2023.


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Jake Maier is the managing editor and publisher at BadgerNotes.com. He has provided coaching and editorial support to numerous writers in his role, contributing significantly to the platform's growth. His expertise extends to Wisconsin Badgers football, basketball, and recruiting coverage. Jake's previous bylines can be found at Fansided and Wisconsin Sports Heroics.

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