Wisconsin football 2020 review/2021 preview: wide receiver

2020 Starters

• Jack Dunn (Senior)
• Danny Davis III (Senior)
• Chimere Dike (Freshman)
• Kendric Pryor (RS-Senior)

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

2020 Statistics

• Jack Dunn finished second on the team in receptions (28) for a total of 255 yards receiving. He hauled in one touchdown in six games.
• Chimere Dike played in six games and hauled in 12 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown.
• Kendric Pryor had only eight receptions in three games, battling injuries for most of the season.
• Danny Davis III had three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in two games, battling injuries most of the year.
• Adam Krumholz (senior), Devin Chandler (freshman), A.J. Abbott (sophomore), and Stephan Bracey also caught passes with Krumholz, Chandler, Abbott hauling in two, and Bracey recording one reception

2020 season review

The 2020 season was not all that kind to the Badgers wide receiver room. Coming into the season new wideout coach Alvis Whitted appeared to have a group laden with seniors that would contribute at a high level in the likes Davis, Pryor, Dunn and Krumholz.

That dream was short-lived as Davis and Pryor played in just three games while battling injuries for most of the year. In the games that they were able to play the offense hummed along much better in routs of Michigan and Illinois. In games they we’re not able to play the offense struggled to produce any big plays, and the passing game struggled overall.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

There were a few bright spots in this group however that helped the offense find a bit of a pulse as the year went on. Tight end Jake Ferguson was the leading receiver on the team, but just two receptions behind him was senior Jack Dunn who ended up being a huge contributor as the season went on. Dunn’s biggest games of the year were the final two as he brought in seven receptions against Minnesota and six against Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory.

After that group, the big story line of the season was freshman wideout Chimere Dike. Dike burst onto the scene against Michigan with a 30-yard rushing attempt and two receptions later on. Numbers-wise he cooled off late in the year, but Dike still showed a lot of promise as a star of the future for Wisconsin. QB Graham Mertz and Dike appeared to have a strong connection which should help the duo as they move to 2021.

Lastly, freshman Devin Chandler appeared to be a steal in the recruiting world as he made a few brief appearances in the year. He hauled in only two receptions but his speed was on display in special teams as well. Chandler looks like he could be a really big get for the Badgers down the road.

2021 Preview

It’s fair to say that in 2020 this group struggled a bit, but the nice part is they have a chance for a do-over in what will hopefully be a more normal season in 2021. Leading the way is Kendric Pryor who announced he will return to the Badgers for another season. Pryor has been a solid contributor over the course of his career and will look to stay healthy throughout the 2021 season.

With Pryor and Ferguson both coming back all eyes are now on Danny Davis III who has yet to make a decision on his future. If Davis were to return the wideout room would receive a huge boost. In his limited time, Davis looked to have a strong connection with Graham Mertz and I think we’d all love to see what they can do over the course of a full season.

The likes of Chimere Dike will be back in 2021 still listed as a freshman despite a ton of game experience in 2020. That should help his growth, and a full spring practice season should allow Dike and Mertz to really grow together in the passing game. The other name to watch out for in 2021 will be freshman Devin Chandler who we saw limited time from this past season. He had a key reception against Minnesota and a huge kick return against Wake Forest.

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

After that, the wideout room is somewhat of a mystery. Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz are both eligible to return as seniors but have not announced their decision just yet. The next members of the room that could have an impact are A.J. Abbott, Taj Mustapha, Stephan Bracey and incoming freshmen Markus Allen and Sykler Bell.

Overall, there are a lot of question marks around this group but there is certainly potential. With Pryor and Dike back you have a solid start, but Dunn and Davis possibly coming back would also really give you depth and options as the group behind them battles it out for positioning. If this group can remain healthy and have a return to normalcy in the world we should see them take a nice step into 2021.