Wisconsin isn't exactly known for wide receivers. In fact, only two players have ever accumulated over 3,000 yards receiving in their career at Wisconsin. However, that trend seems to be changing with some impressive current players like Jayden Ballard and Vinny Anthony II. It's also changing in recruiting, as Luke Fickell is working to bring in back-to-back classes with elite wide receivers.
The 2025 recruiting class featured Eugene Hilton Jr., and 2026 already has Tayshon Bardo with lures out to 4-star WR Jayden Petit and Zachary Washington. The receivers are coming, even if the return to an aggressive running game is going to be a feature again.
Vinny Anthony II is actually the best wide receiver in the Big Ten in most yards per target versus man coverage. He averages 14.2 yards per target when the defense is guarding him in man coverage. He led the Big Ten in that last season, and he's the best returning player in that category.
Most of the Big Ten's best weapons against man coverage return this fall. pic.twitter.com/3RV0eR2SGX
— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) June 4, 2025
Vinny Anthony II has a chance to be an even better WR this season
The cool reality is that Anthony has a chance to be even better in 2025, as the offensive scheme coming in will help increase the offense's overall flow. The new offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes, has succeeded everywhere he has been, and he has the tools to do it again at Wisconsin.
Anthony will also have a better and higher-rated quarterback slinging him the ball, with Billy Edwards Jr. transferring to Wisconsin from Maryland. Not to mention that Anthony will have Ballard and Hilton helping to draw some of that coverage off of him. It could be a much better season for the Badgers on the offensive attack, and while their schedule is extremely tough, there's hope when you see stats like this get thrown around.