Wisconsin Football: Badgers’ WR core is the best in years

Wisconsin’s group of receivers is as good as it’s ever been. They group is deep, young and athletic and looks to be a large part of a dominant offense in 2018.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: A.J. Taylor #4 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates a touchdown during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Remember the good ol’ days when the Badgers had that one wide receiver you could count on to always catch the ball?  That guy that on third-and-long you just knew would be open?  Do Luke Swan or Jared Abbrederis sound familiar?  It’s been a few years since the Badgers had that reliable wide receiver.

Badger fans soon became familiar with failed third down attempts. All too often opposing teams keyed in on the run on first and second down and they may have well just punted on third.

I don’t think I even need to explain how frustrating it was to see third-and-nine over and over again, just to see an awful route or even worse, a dropped pass.  It came to a point where the Badgers’ third down offense became another dumb running play, or a pass to a highly covered tight end.

The receiving core was even further muddled with the surprising departure of Jazz Peavy and George Rushing.  These two had decent games in their time at Wisconsin, but were often injured or inconsistent.  It’s unfortunate to see them go, but it opens up opportunities for talented youngsters to get some exposure in front of the Camp Randall crowd.

With the fall of a few receivers came the rise of four exciting new faces for the Badgers’ receiving core.  Let’s meet the guys who will hopefully provide the offense with the needed talent to stretch the field and finally convert those 3rd downs.