The new and improved Nick Toon

What’s gotten into Nick Toon? 5 touchdowns in 4 games? 353 receiving yards in 4 games?! The number three spot on Monday’s SportsCenter Top Plays?!?! Who is this guy?

Consider that since Lee Evan’s 13 touchdown grabs in 2003, no Badger receiver has caught more than 8 TDs in a season–Nick Toon is on pace for 15. Consider that Nick Toon is on pace for 1059 yards this season, a full 200 yards above his 2009 season total. Consider that his current 16.8 YPC is almost two full yards above his career-best 15.1 YPC (which came on only 17 receptions in Toon’s first season). We’re only four games into the season and the competition has been laughable at times, but the inklings are there: Nick Toon is busting out.

Why now? Toon has never been a physically-challenged player–a 6-3, 220 lb. athlete with all the potential in the world to be a game-changing college receiver (his pro prospects are a story for another day). He’s had problems with drops in key situations, and now he’s making one-handed grabs and landing in highlight reels on ESPN. Recently, Wisconsin’s go-to receivers have often been tight ends, and Jacob Pedersen has established himself as another good pass-catcher at that position, but Toon is suddenly looking like the other half of a shockingly dangerous quarterback-receiver combo.

Is it the competition? Maybe, at least to the extent that it’s helping his numbers. But the guy just looks different. He’s going up for balls when Wilson’s passes aren’t right on target. He doesn’t have speed to burn, but he’s getting himself open with physicality. I hesitate to believe he could have taken some monumental step forward from last season to this one, at least as far as physicality, strength, and what-have-you are concerned, but it’s certainly possible. Has he always laid out for passes in the endzone? Maybe, but he definitely didn’t catch them as often as he is now. He looks…energized.

Is it Russell Wilson? I certainly think he’s contributing. There’s no denying that, even in a purely philosophical sense, teams have to game-plan for Wilson. The difference might not be hugely significant since the Wisconsin running game has always been dangerous to the point where opponents were focused first on the backfield. Besides, none of the teams Wisconsin has encountered so far have been equipped to stop the Badgers, good game-plan or not. Still, Wilson’s mobility makes defenses worry about a runner regardless of backfield formation. His arm strength has been evident as well, zipping throws around the field with stunning accuracy. Scott Tolzien was obviously an efficient quarterback who thrived in Wisconsin’s offense, but we have to start seriously considering how much he benefited from the system and personnel around him (well, behind him, to be precise). It’s very possible that the two-man backfield of Montee Ball and James White is more effective than last year’s 3-headed monster, but there’s no denying that the offense–the passing game in particular–looks at least as dangerous with Wilson under center versus Tolzien. The man has truly exceeded expectations.

Note: At this point, you may feel free to seek out all national pundits, articles, blogs, etc., who claimed that Wilson wouldn’t be able to succeed at Wisconsin because he wasn’t <QUALITY X> enough. Then you may point and laugh at them.

The real tests begin this coming Saturday, when Wisconsin hosts Nebraska to kick off Big Ten play, and Toon could be featured even more against Big Ten opponents who focus on stopping the Badgers’ ground game. Nebraska was billed as one of the top contenders in the Big Ten this preseason, but that shine has grown a bit duller as questions about their defense pop up. It still figures to be an extraordinary game, and the winner will be primed for a very successful season. As unsettling as it might be, I’m counting on Nick Toon to have a big game. It’s an opportunity to prove to everyone that Nick Toon is new, improved, and here to stay. Badger fans are excited he’s finally arrived.