Wisconsin football 2020 returnee profile: A.J. Abbott

During the summer doldrums of sports news, many college football fans are starved for news and information regarding their favorite teams.

With that in mind, we at B5Q have decided to take a more detailed look at each walk-on contributor and scholarship player on the Wisconsin Badgers football roster for 2020 in a running feature, our 2020 returnee profiles.

Each weekday we will breakdown one player on the football roster to look back at their recruiting process, their career as a Badger to this juncture and lastly preview their potential contribution to the team in 2020 and beyond.

Today, we discuss a promising young receiver in A.J. Abbott.

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Name: A.J. Abbott

Position: wide receiver

2020 eligibility: redshirt sophomore

Recruiting info out of HS: 247 Composite 3-star, No. 130 wide receiver, West Bloomfield, Mich.

2017 Recruitment: Abbott’s recruitment began in 2016 when he started to take unofficial visits to a variety of MAC schools in the area. Abbott’s first offer came from Bowling Green followed by an offer from Ball State. Shortly after that, Big Ten schools started to look into Abbott’s game and in June of 2017 he picked up offers from Michigan State, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. A few days after all of the offers, Abbott committed to the Badgers.

Career statistics: one tackle (special teams)

2019 statistics: one tackle (special teams)

Player overview: When looking at A.J. Abbott one thing really jumps out, length. Not only is height promising at 6-foot-2, but the length of Abbott’s arms and his jumping ability make him a very interesting prospect for the Badgers who will be looking for a downfield threat in the future. Danny Davis III will likely have that role in 2020, but 2021 could really be a time to shine for Abbott in the deep passing game.

Best case scenario for 2020: The wideout room is full of promise for 2020 but they’ll certainly need guys to take on bigger loads of production than they ever have before due to the departure of Quintez Cephus and A.J. Taylor. Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor will likely fill those roles, but who behind them will be interesting to watch. Best case scenario for Abbott is that he comes into camp, impresses, and works his way into that third receiver spot on the opposite side of Davis.

Likely role on team in 2020: That is certainly the best case scenario for Abbott, but it wont come easy. Taj Mustapha, Adam Krumholz, and Jack Dunn will also be vying for that spot. I expect Abbott to be in the rotation as a third or fourth wideout with Krumholz and Mustapha. His size and length would pair nicely with Davis outside and Pryor in the slot, but it’s a spot that will certainly have some heavy competition