With an additional year of COVID-19 eligibility under their belts, Wisconsin’s senior wide receivers Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor were able to return for one final campaign in 2021.
While it helped the Badgers in the short-term to have experienced leaders in the room, it was hard not to wonder what was brewing at the future of the position.
Wisconsin brought in a loaded 2021 class, both in general and specifically at the wide receiver position. The highest-rated Badger class in the modern recruiting era showed up in multiple facets of the game on Thursday night, but perhaps the most fun flashes came from the wide receiver position.
It started on just the third Wisconsin play of the evening as Markus Allen hauled in a 31-yard grab to set up the first Badger touchdown of the night. Allen was previously committed to Michigan before choosing Wisconsin, and the 6-foot-2 target showed a glimpse of his future on the biggest Badger pass play of the evening.
Markus Allen + a backup CB? That’ll play. pic.twitter.com/yYpBSqvCV2
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) December 31, 2021
Then it was Skyler Bell’s turn to make a play. The true freshman was on the receiving end of one of Graham Mertz’s best plays of the night. The Kansas native rolled left and found Bell across his body for a massive first down.
Nice throw by Graham Mertz and diving catch by Skyler Bell for 15 yards on 3rd & 9 pic.twitter.com/jap6YRehNR
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTB_Vids_YT) December 31, 2021
Bell and Allen will be thrown into bigger roles next season after playing behind Wisconsin’s seniors, and you can expect them to be ready.