Wisconsin Football Coach Reveals Front-Runner for WR3 Position

The University of Wisconsin football team’s wide receiver depth appears to be in good shape as the Badgers wrap up spring practice. 

With the return of All-Big Ten selection Will Pauling and redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna, the Badgers boast a dynamic 1, 2 punch in the slot they can help build this offense around under position coach Kenny Guiton. 

“One thing we don’t do is we don’t say, ‘Almost’ in the room,” Guiton told reporters. “We don’t say, ‘Oh, that was close.’ It’s either we got it done or we didn’t. We’re going to really take ownership of that and understand that the best ones are going to get the majority of that.”

Bryson Green, who finished second on the Wisconsin football team last season with 480 receiving yards on 32 catches, is arguably their best downfield threat and will hold down one of the starting boundary spots.

Since Chimere Dike is no longer with the program, receivers like Vinny Anthony, C.J. Williams, Quincy Burroughs, and Michigan State transfer Tyrell Henry have been competing for the other starting job this spring.

With a solid group of pass-catching talent heading into 2024, Guiton believes the diverse skill sets in the Wisconsin football team’s wide receiver room could pose challenges for opposing coordinators. However, Guiton acknowledged the need for strategic planning to ensure each player gets into the game and receives opportunities to contribute.

Moreover, Guiton revealed that Anthony, one of the two remaining Paul Chryst holdovers at the position, would currently be the other starting wide receiver on the outside if the Badgers were to play a game today.

 “At the third spot, it’s really got a few guys coming along very, very well,” Guiton said. “I think Vinny Anthony has put himself in a position to really take off and probably take over the spot right now. 

“But, you got guys like Quincy and C.J. and Tyrell Henry coming in and doing a really good job. And it’s quite a few names that you can bring up right now that are really giving themselves a shot to step in there and have a chance to be that next guy.”

Initially viewed as more of a slot receiver for the Wisconsin football team, Anthony transitioned to the boundary during bowl prep, seeing a more straightforward path to playing time for the Badgers. Last season, Anthony was targeted 18 times in the passing game and caught 10 passes for 99 yards in 237 total snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Anthony also had one carry that went for 18 yards on a jet-sweet against Indiana. 

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“Man, really just consistent,” Guiton said when asked about Anthony. “Just very consistent play. Anything that I’ve told him he needs to work on, he does it and gets it fixed the next rep. Not even the next day; I mean, it’s the next rep. I think he’s playing as fast as he’s played in his career. …He’s just playing so fast and confident right now that he’s being very consistent.”

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