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Key Wisconsin Badgers: No. 28 - Wide Receiver Jack Dunn

Wisconsin's 2021 football season is right around the corner, so BadgerBlitz.com ranked the top 30 players who we think will be the keys to success for Paul Chryst's squad this year.

Playing time, past performance and positional depth all factored into our staff rankings.

STRENGTHS 

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Wide receiver Jack Dunn celebrates a touchdown in 2019.
Wide receiver Jack Dunn celebrates a touchdown in 2019. (Darren Lee Photography)

Jack Dunn is as experienced as it gets. The Madison (WI) Edgewood product is entering his sixth year in the program and is coming off his most productive season with Wisconsin. After putting together a combined six catches for 61 yards in 2018 and 2019, Dunn tallied 28 catches for 255 yards and one touchdown in 2020 in just six games.

At 5-foot-7 and 174 pounds, Dunn should provide reliable depth this fall behind seniors Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor, as well as second-year player Chimere Dike. With Davis and Pryor having their seasons cut short due to injury last year, Dunn stepped up to become the team's most reliable pass catcher, finishing second in receptions and yards behind only Jake Ferguson. Dunn not only adds to the wide receiver room but gives insurance as a sure-handed punt returner behind Dean Engram and Davis. He's also one of the best blocking receivers on the roster.

WEAKNESSES 

Dunn provides a consistent and solid option in the slot for Wisconsin but has a limited ceiling with the return of Pryor and Davis. The former walk-on can excel in a role as a depth piece, but he ins't necessarily a big-play threat through the air or on the ground. The longest catch he's hauled in went for 24 yards, and as a runner, Dunn has totaled six carries for 12 yards.

Jack Dunn: 2020 Numbers
Games Played Receptions Yards Average Long TD

6

28

255

9.1

24

1

WHY HE'S No. 28

Dunn will provide some reliable depth for quarterback Graham Mertz and the passing attack, and his value to the team catapults if a top three wide out suffers another injury. Dunn's breakout during the 2020 season makes him a viable threat in the slot and his years of experience in the program make it likely that he will stick in the two-deep when the season rolls around.

OVERALL

If all goes as planned for Wisconsin in its wide receiver room, Dunn should provide something that was severely lacking this past season: depth. His versatility as a blocker, pass catcher, punt returner and runner makes him a valuable piece for the offense and special teams units.

Key Wisconsin Badgers 2021 Countdown
RANK PLAYER J.M. J.K. R.V. Total Points

No. 30

Collin Larsh

1

1

1

3

No. 29

Andy Vujnovich

2

2

2

6

Voting panel included Jon McNamara, Jake Kocorowski and Raul Vazquez
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