Tag: Chimere Dike

WATCH: The Badgers force a fumble to set up WR Chimere Dike’s first career TD

The Badgers get on the board in Evanston

After a start that was largely dictated by questionable calls, Wisconsin fell behind 7-0 in Evanston. Northwestern then pulled off a WR pass trick play that resulted in first-and-goal from the two. Just when Wisconsin looked to be on the ropes early, the Badger defense did what they have done all season long.

A forced fumble by Keeanu Benton at the goal line turned the game on its head, and then a perfect pitch-and-catch from QB Graham Mertz to true freshman WR Chimere Dike reset the scoreboard:

The 49-yard TD was the first of Dike’s young career, and has the Badgers and Wildcats tied at 7 early in the second quarter.

WATCH: Chimere Dike explodes for a 33-yard reverse against Michigan

In the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines, wide receiver Chimere Dike nearly took his first touch as a Wisconsin B…

In the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines, wide receiver Chimere Dike nearly took his first touch as a Wisconsin Badger to the house after a Scott Nelson interception set up UW. Nakia Watson scored two plays later  on a two-yard rush to put the Badgers up 7-0.

Dike, a true freshman, may sound familiar because he was praised by coaches throughout training camp for his playmaking ability. With no Jack Dunn tonight, Dike is poised to take a bigger role in the offense for Wisconsin.

Another thing to take from this play is the block by QB Graham Mertz to clear the corner for Dike. Mertz is making plays for Wisconsin even without the ball in his hands.

Stay tuned to Badgers Wire for continued updates on the game.

Graham Mertz and the rest of the quarterback room give high praise to a freshman wide receiver

In their press conference today quarterbacks Chase Wolf, Danny Vanden Boom and Graham Mertz were asked about which offensive players…

In their press conference today quarterbacks Chase Wolf, Danny Vanden Boom and Graham Mertz were asked about which offensive players have stood out in fall camp thus far.

One guy that was constantly brought up and received high praise from all three quarterbacks? Freshman wide receiver Chimere Dike.

Before their quotes, here is a little video evidence of Dike’s skills on the outside:

First up was Wolf who had clear words about what he’s seen from Dike thus far: “He’s a stud.”

Vanden Boom then continued the sentiment, noting Dike as a young wide receiver that has stood out and saying “he’s a student of the game and asks a lot of questions.”

Finally, Mertz had a colorful answer when asked about who has stood out on offense. He started by saying that he “could go on and on” about the playmakers on offense and noted freshmen Devin Chandler and Isaac Smith, the older guys at wide receiver, the running backs, the offensive line and more.

“If you want me to keep going on for days I can,” Mertz said.

His comment on Dike, though, was a funny one, joking that “I heard people talking about Chim a little bit. To be honest, he’s not that good” with a big smile on his face.

Dike, a Waukesha, Wisconsin native, was a three-star recruit coming into the program and the No. 4 player from the state of Wisconsin.

From the practice video and the comments from his quarterbacks it’s become clear that he is set to be a productive player for the Badgers for years to come.

Maybe Mertz has already found one of his long-term connections.

Wisconsin Spring Position Preview: Wide Receivers

Taking a closer look at the wide receiver position group as Wisconsin enters spring football

Spring football allows for head coach Paul Chryst to not have to worry about preparing for a game. Instead, it allows him to teach the game of football and continue to develop the players on Wisconsin’s roster as they prepare for the 2020 season. Chryst will have 15 practices beginning March 22 to help his team improve and build on what they accomplished during the 2019 season.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we will break down the wide receiver position for Wisconsin as it heads into spring practice.

Spring Wide Receiver Roster

A.J. Abbott (redshirt sophomore), Stephan Bracey (redshirt freshman), Danny Davis (senior), Jordan DiBenedetto (redshirt freshman), Chimere Dike (freshman), Jack Dunn (redshirt senior), Cade Green (redshirt junior), Mike Gregoire (redshirt sophomore), Adam Krumholz (redshirt senior), Taj Mustapha (redshirt sophomore), Cooper Nelson (redshirt freshman), Cam Phillips (redshirt freshman), Emmet Perry (redshirt junior), Kendric Pryor (redshirt senior)

What we know going into spring practice

It will be an important spring for both Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor as their roles will change as they head into their final seasons. Considering Pryor who has mostly played on the outside at the wide receiver position will likely now be relied on to play in the slot, which was played by A.J. Taylor a season ago.

Outside of those two consistently working on their games it will be an important spring for the Badgers to build quality depth behind Davis and Pryor. That responsibility will fall on first-year wide receiver coach Alvis Whitted who served as the Green Bay Packers wide receivers coach a season ago.

The likely top two wide receivers behind Davis and Pryor are a pair of redshirt seniors in Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz. Dunn is slated to miss all of spring football due to a left leg injury. Krumholz has demonstrated to be a solid blocker for Wisconsin but he only has caught three passes in 31 career games.

Whitted will also need to continue with the development of A.J. Abbott and Taj Mustapha. Mustapha played in four games as a true freshman while maintaining his freshman eligibility but only appeared in one game a season ago. Abbott appeared in eight games a season ago as his action mostly came on special teams.

Chimere Dike who signed with Wisconsin as a part of the 2020 recruiting class elected to enroll early. Dike will get a head start in getting acclimated to college life and being able to create a new routine for himself. The biggest challenge for Dike is getting used to the speed of the college game and being able to learn from the mistakes he does make over the course of spring football.

What we hope to find out following spring practice

The progress of Abbott and Mustapha will be examined closely as the development of those two players could be the key to the success on whether or not the Badgers are able to consistently utilize four wide receivers this year.

Two other players who could have productive springs are a pair of redshirt freshmen in Stephan Bracey and Cam Phillips.

Bracey didn’t appear in a game a season ago but he did travel with the team for road games toward the end of the season. With the departure of Aron Cruickshank who transferred to Rutgers could Bracey take on a similar role that Cruickshank had in Wisconsin’s offense if he earns the trust of the coaches?

Phillips a walk-on held multiple scholarship offers including one from Wisconsin but he suffered a knee injury his senior year, which caused him to miss his entire season. The injury suffered by Phillips changed the course of his recruitment as the Badgers were able to land him as a walk-on.

Phillips was an early enrollee last year but because of his injury, he couldn’t compete during spring football. Phillips now healthy will look to show that his injury is behind him as he tries to earn playing time.

Wisconsin was able to utilize and rely on four wide receivers a season ago and if that’s the case again this coming season the Badgers will need Krumholz, Abbott, Mustapha or someone else to take the next step in their development. As the wide receivers will get plenty of reps during spring football as it will be up to them to take advantage and get better with each practice.

 

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how Wisconsin’s 2020 recruiting class breaks down by position and by state.

MADISON, Wis. – After signing 19 scholarship players and two walk-ons during the early signing period in December the Badgers saw their scholarship class officially grow to 20 players while adding four more preferred walk-ons to the program during national signing day on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 25th by 247 Sports, 26th by ESPN, and 27th nationally by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

New Jersey (1): Jalen Berger

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: Jalen Berger

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Inside Linebacker Ross Gengler, Offensive Lineman Kerry Kodanko, Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Outside Linebacker Riley Nowakowski, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis, Kicker Jack Van Dyke

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how the 2020 recruiting class came together and where each player projects to play.

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced 19 scholarship players and two preferred walk-ons in its 2020 signing class during the early signing period on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 26th nationally by both ESPN and 247 Sports and 32nd by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson Jr.

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: None

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Chimere Dike

Wisconsin received Chimere Dike’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Waukesha North (WI) High School athlete Chimere Dike.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Dike chose Wisconsin over other Offers from: Iowa State

Dike’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Al Toon Award winner as state’s top senior wide receiver…Two–time all–state selection at wide receiver…First–team all–state on offense and honorable mention all–state on defense by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior in 2019

Dike’s Impact as a Badger: Although Wisconsin listed Dike as an athlete on their National Signing Day page he likely projects to wide receiver.

Traditionally, Wisconsin doesn’t get many in-state scholarship wide receivers as the last time Wisconsin signed a wide receiver from inside the state was Jazz Peavy from Kenosha Tremper High School during the 2013 recruiting cycle.

Similar to Peavy’s recruitment Dike didn’t hold many scholarship offers as his only other offer was from Iowa State but there was only one offer Dike was interested in receiving, which was from his home state school. The Badgers offered Dike in January of 2019 as it took him only five days to give the Badgers coaching staff his verbal commitment.

Dike possesses good size as he’s listed at 6’0″ as he’ll be one of the taller wide receivers on Wisconsin’s roster once he gets on campus. Due to his height allows for Dike to go up and get the football at its highest point as he does a good job of catching the football with his hands and part of the reason why he caught 59 passes as a senior for 962 yards.

Dike will need to continue to work on his route running in order to make them more precise in order to create separation against the defensive back. Dike has also demonstrated solid speed, which allows him to pull away from defenders meaning the Badgers will be able to utilize Dike in a multitude of ways on offense.

Dike will likely need a redshirt year as he can put work in the weight room and to continue to develop as a wide receiver. Dike will have a chance of making the two-deep at the wide receiver position following his redshirt year but he also has a chance to provide value on special teams too.

Dike could get a look as a returner at some point in his career at Wisconsin but he could also prove to be a valuable gunner on special teams too. Dike also played in the secondary for Waukesha North as he registered 93 tackles this past year.

The more Dike is able to provide to Wisconsin’s football team will only lead to allowing him to have a productive career for Wisconsin.