The Wisconsin Badgers’ receiving touchdown leaders from 2021:
The Wisconsin Badgers’ passing offense struggled to find its rhythm last season because of inconsistency in the playcalling and quarterback play throughout the year. This forced the Badgers to run the ball against stacked defenses, which heavily limited their offensive efficiency.
Wisconsin had no receiver or tight end finish with more than three touchdown catches last season. The Badgers as a whole only had six players catch a touchdown reception, whose total amounted to 11 receiving touchdowns. Senior tight end Jake Ferguson provided the most consistent threat for the offense, but he has graduated and gone onto the NFL.
Hopefully, after some significant changes to the offensive coaching staff and receiving group, the Badgers will be able to make their opponents respective the whole field in 2022.
Below are the Wisconsin Badgers’ receiving touchdown leaders from 2021:
No game bigger for the Hawkeyes in 2022 than Wisconsin. With the West possibly on the line, what should Iowa fans expect from the Badgers?
This is the must-win game of the season for the Hawkeyes, at least you hope it is. As long as the season has stayed on course, and Iowa hasn’t dropped too many games to start, this is the game to circle on the calendar for Iowa.
While there is a revenge game to be played against Michigan and Ohio State is a huge matchup for any school, Wisconsin is easily the game with the most ramifications. As Iowa looks to secure a return spot in the Big Ten championship game, West division rival Wisconsin is easily their biggest roadblock in the way.
Paul Chryst’s squad is routinely a contender for the division crown and will once again provide an extremely tough challenge. This game could ultimately decide who wins the division.
Wisconsin football’s top 10 leaders in receiving yards from 2021:
The Wisconsin Badgers’ passing attack was underwhelming last season, and unfortunately, forced the Badgers to become one-dimensional and overreliant on the run against tough Big Ten defenses.
Tight end Jake Ferguson was the most consistent threat for the Badgers’ passing attack and provided an often-needed escape valve for quarterback Graham Mertz when he was under pressure.
Another bright spot from last season is the emergence and development of younger receivers who will be replacing the core of Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor and Jack Dunn. Junior WR Chimere Dike will take over as the primary receiver after finishing with 272 receiving yards and a touchdown last season.
Redshirt freshman Markus Allen will likely be in a starting role, and with luck, will expand upon the flashes he showed with big catches against Rutgers and Arizona State late in the season.
Hopefully, after struggling the last two years in the passing game, the addition of new receivers and offensive coordinator Bobby Engram will help revive the Wisconsin passing game.
Below are Wisconsin football’s top 10 leaders in receiving yards from 2021:
Five players that boosted their stock during spring football practice:
Spring football has officially come to a close for the Wisconsin Badgers, who wrapped up their spring evaluation period last Friday night.
Head coach Paul Chryst made a significant amount of changes along the coaching staff this offseason, so this initial installation period allowed those coaches their first real look at their respective position groups.
UW essentially has players competing for meaningful snaps at every position heading into fall camp. The offense lost six preferred starters from last season, while the nation’s top defensive unit needs to replace eight starters of their own in 2022.
Spring football is about trying new things, generating competition, and forcing players out of their comfort zones.
So, it’s important that fans understand no starting positions are going to be won in the spring. However, it can lead to additional opportunities once camp opens in the fall.
Today, we’re going to examine five players that boosted their stock during the Badgers 15 spring practices:
WATCH: QB Graham Mertz airs it out at practice on Tueday. #Badgers
As spring practice continues winding down, Badger fans have been fortunate enough for the program to allow them the occasional inside look at what spring ball in the McClain center really looks like.
On Tuesday, we saw Badgers starting quarterback Graham Mertz spreading the ball around to his new look wide receiver room – most notably connecting on two long passes with the teams top wideout Chimere Dike.
As a redshirt-sophomore Mertz fell short of expectations, completing just 59.5% of his passes for 1,958 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Now, with new offensive coordinator Bobby Engram in the fold, Wisconsin’s offense is counting on their QB1 to take a noticeable step in 2022 to take their offense to new heights.
Check out Mertz aerial attack courtesy of UW Athletics on Twitter:
Wisconsin will need to replace a significant amount of production in their wide receiver room next season. Chimere Dike would seem to be the logical choice to take over as the teams top pass-catcher in 2022.
Right now, the Wisconsin Badgers sole focus is on their Las Vegas Bowl match-up against Arizona State on December 30th. However, bowl prep season is a delicate balance of preparing for your programs final game of the year, and giving younger players additional opportunity to better evaluate them for the future.
For Wisconsin, they’re set to lose their three most targeted players: Jake Ferguson, Danny Davis, and Kendric Pryor. Not to mention, walk-on Jack Dunn who has logged plenty of snaps in his own right.
That leaves a dearth of opportunity for a young, unproven wide receivers room next season, and plenty of snaps up for grabs.
Nov 21, 2020; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Greg Newsome II (2) breaks up a pass to Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The logical choice to step into the WR1 spot is Waukesha, Wisconsin native – Chimere Dike. In his Wisconsin career, Dike has caught 30 passes for 431 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s also received 31 targets this season, ranking fourth on the team.
Dike is a player that runs good routes, excels playing in the slot and isn’t afraid to come across the middle of the field and still secure the ball.
Anyone who has watched Dike knows the stats are in no way indicative of the talent he truly possesses. He has undoubtedly taken a big step in year two, all you need to do is turn on the film.
Dike is a dynamic play-maker capable of taking on the extra workload and becoming a reliable weapon in Wisconsin’s offense.
Chimere Dike has been patiently waiting for his turn to become the WR1 of the Wisconsin Badgers – and it looks like he’ll get his chance in 2022.
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Wisconsin wide receiver’s coach Alvis Whitted had some high praise for Chimere Dike and his ability to take over as the teams top pass-catcher in 2022.
Right now, the Wisconsin Badgers sole focus is on their Las Vegas Bowl match-up against Arizona State on December 30th. However, bowl prep season is a delicate balance of preparing for your programs final game of the year, and giving younger players additional opportunity to better evaluate them for the future.
For Wisconsin, they’re set to lose their three most targeted players: Jake Ferguson, Danny Davis, and Kendric Pryor. Not to mention, walk-on Jack Dunn who has logged plenty of snaps in his own right.
That leaves a dearth of opportunity for a young, unproven wide receivers room next season, and plenty of snaps up for grabs.
Nov 21, 2020; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Greg Newsome II (2) breaks up a pass to Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The logical choice to step into the WR1 spot is Waukesha, Wisconsin native – Chimere Dike. In his Wisconsin career, Dike has caught 30 passes for 431 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Dike is a player that runs good routes, excels playing in the slot and isn’t afraid to come across the middle of the field and still secure the ball.
Anyone who has watched Dike knows the stats are in no way indicative of the talent he possesses. He has undoubtedly taken a big step in year two, all you need to do is turn on the film.
One person who seems to agree with that statement is Wisconsin Badgers wide receivers coach – Alvis Whitted. Here’s what coach Whitted had to say about Dike becoming the WR1 in 2022:
“He’s been ready since his freshman year. I have no doubt about his ability to lead and the things he can do on the field. How he goes about his daily routine, how he prepares and how he studies. I think those guys will have no better person to learn from, once we get back to camp. I love that kid like he’s my son.
“He’s the standard right now.”
That’s high praise coming from his position coach, and it’s hard to argue with his assessment. With less proven mouths to feed in 2022, it’s easy to see a path for Chimere Dike to breakout in Wisconsin’s offense as the go to pass-catcher.
Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.
Both wide receiver Chimere Dike and cornerback Faion Hicks returned kicks for the Badgers on Saturday. Dike took two kicks back for 34 total yards and a 17-yard average, while Hicks’ only return was a fair catch.
Wisconsin football: Snap count breakdowns that need to change on Saturday
The Wisconsin offense has struggled mightily through the team’s first three games this season. The unit put up 10 points against Penn State thanks to historic red zone woes and scored only 13 against Notre Dame while the Fighting Irish defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Production just hasn’t been there across the board. Graham Mertz has struggled to find open receivers and take care of the football, the offensive line is yet to find an effective five-man group and the running game still leaves a bit to be desired.
So entering this weekend’s crucial matchup with No. 14 Michigan, what will Paul Chryst and his staff need to change about their attack? Let’s start with the snap count breakdown from last weekend’s game because there were some real head-scratchers.
It’s a group that struggled last season, mostly due to injuries to top options Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor.
But the whole group returns for the 2021 campaign. With a full spring and summer session set to help Graham Mertz’s connection with the group immensely, we should expect a bounce-back season from the pass-catchers.
