Wisconsin Football Coach Wants ‘Consistency’ From Wide Receivers

Head coach Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin football program’s wide receiver corps experienced some turnover this offseason.

Veterans such as Chimere Dike, Skyler Bell, and even Keontez Lewis, who were the Badgers’ top three wideouts in 2022, entered the transfer portal to pursue greener pastures. However, they’ve bolstered their room with the additions of Michigan State transfer Tyrell Henry from the portal and true freshman Kyan Berry-Johnson to offset those departures.

Following Dike’s exit, a starting spot at receiver alongside Bryson Green and Will Pauling has opened up. This has led to an open competition during spring ball that will likely continue into fall camp, with returning players C.J. Williams, Quincy Burroughs, and Vinny Anthony, along with newcomer Henry, all vying for opportunities.

The Wisconsin football coaching staff has been rotating players between the first and second-team offenses, ensuring everyone gets a chance to showcase themselves. That said, Fickell emphasized the importance of consistency during a media availability when asked what they’re looking for from the third wide receiver spot.

“Well, I think consistency is where it’s got to start, right?” Fickell told reporters. “I think that if you said anything last year about those guys out there, I’d say the consistency of understanding what the expectations are. Knowing what the expectations are is crucial, and it’s not just about how hard you go; there’s an expectation in place.

“Those quarterbacks and wideouts need to be on the same page. Trying to figure out where those guys all fit. … But I think that there’s got to be a consistency in everything that you do. And I think I’m starting to see that from those guys.”

Wisconsin Football Musings on the WR3 Competition 

While Williams may not have lived up to the expectations set when he joined Wisconsin football from the transfer portal, he has made significant progress during the offseason, adding 15 pounds of muscle to his frame. 

The 6-foot-1 wideout finished fifth on the team with 148 receiving yards on 15 catches in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams ended with a 50.9 offensive grade, which is considered below average by their metric.

Williams possesses all the tools necessary to excel as a boundary wide receiver if everything goes right. But if it doesn’t, Anthony and Burroughs both bring a ton of straight-line speed that could be an asset. I’m still trying to figure out where Henry fits into all of this, but at worst, given his slot experience, he will provide depth at all three wide receiver spots.

It will be intriguing to observe whether the Wisconsin football coaching staff opts for speed to complement Green’s ability to make plays downfield or if they lean towards a versatile option capable of swiftly creating separation on short and intermediate routes.

These questions probably won’t find answers until the arrival of fall camp. Nonetheless, I’ll share my hot take anyway: I’m not sure how much this position battle will matter in the end because I predict that slot wide receiver Trech Kekahuna will emerge as the Wisconsin football team’s second or third pass-catcher this fall, even though he’ll be playing behind Pauling. He’s so good.

At this stage, I fail to see how you could justify keeping Kekahuna off the field — he’s just too dynamic. Whatever contributions you receive from the trio of Burroughs, Williams, and Anthony are essentially house money, IMO.

Wisconsin Football: Musings on the Quarterback Competition

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