Wisconsin Football: Breakdown of Offensive Positions

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver CJ Williams #8 of the USC Trojans warms up for the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Next to the quarterback position, Wisconsin’s wide receiver room also received a plethora of incoming talent.

The biggest name of the WR transfers is C.J. Williams. A true freshman from USC, this former 4-star recruit comes from California’s Mater Dei, a perennial high school powerhouse. This marks the second straight year that a Pac-12 receiver opted to transfer to UW (last year Keontez Lewis from UCLA). While the Badgers are rich in wide receiver talent, Williams comes in and should immediately challenge for a starting role.

When a coach moves from one school to another, it is not uncommon to see players or recruits from his former program follow him to his new home. That is the situation that we have with these next two former 3-stars, as they both played for Fickell at the University of Cincinnati.

Will Pauling and Quincy Burroughs both decided to follow Fickell to the bigger stage in Madison. Pauling comes with game experience, having hauled in 12 catches last year for 122 yards. Burroughs was a true freshman who did not receive any playing time, so he maintains his 4 years of eligibility.

The 4th wide receiver to join the Wisconsin football program is Bryson Green, formerly of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He brings big-game talent, as last season he had 36 receptions for 584 yards and 5 TD’s. A true sophomore, he has 2 years of service left.

The incoming freshman class boasts its own legitimate talent as well. Highlighting this group is 4-star athlete Braedyn Moore out of Hamilton, Ohio. While he has the potential to play a few different positions, his highlight reel is filled with plays from the wide receiver position.

The second wide receiver from the 2023 recruiting class is Trech Kekahuna, from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. This 3-star WR from another national powerhouse was expected by many to sign for Arizona, so his commitment to UW was a very pleasant surprise indeed.

There were a few departures from the Wisconsin receiving corps. Dean Engram, son of former offensive coordinator Bobby Engram, elected to leave the program after his father was not retained by the incoming coaching staff.

Jaylan Franklin opted to stay in the conference when he decided to join the Spartans of Michigan State. Finally, Stephan Bracey leaves the Badgers and will play for the Chippewas of Central Michigan.

All three of the departures were former 3-star recruits.

The addition of Williams and Green were huge feathers in Fickell’s cap. They bring talent and experience to a position that needed just a little more of each to be considered potentially explosive. With the overhaul of the offensive scheme this off-season, big numbers are going to be expected from this group. They stand poised to deliver those results.