Published Jul 21, 2017
One Burning Question: Wide Receivers
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John Veldhuis  •  BadgerBlitz
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@JohnVeldhuis

With Wisconsin's fall camp set to start in late July, BadgerBlitz.com will be running through the burning questions that the Badgers will be looking to answer at each position group before they open their season on Sept. 1 against Utah State.

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Position Primer

The Badgers came in to 2016 with a bit of a question mark at wide receiver, after enjoying several years of production from heralded former walk-ons: first Jared Abbrederis, then Alex Erickson. But Jazz Peavy and Robert Wheelwright looked like serviceable (if untested) replacements, so there was room for optimism that Wisconsin's passing attack would be able to keep defenses honest.

For the most part that hope panned out for the Badgers. Peavy and Wheelwright both played in all 14 games and combined to catch 77 passes for 1083 yards and six touchdowns, with Peavy giving the offense an effective jet sweep wrinkle to use as well. There weren't many catches to go around after that, though - George Rushing finished the year with just 12 catches, as running back Dare Ogunbowale and tight end Troy Fumagalli finished above him in the pecking order for targets.

But now that Wheelwright has graduated, the Badgers have a chance to work some fresh blood in to their wide receiver corps. Peavy should continue to be the team's No. 1 option, but there are a few younger candidates that could make some noise in 2017 - and give the Badgers a deep threat that they've been missing since Erickson and Abbrederis left.

Returning Players

Incoming Freshmen

One Burning Question: Who steps up next to Jazz Peavy?

Jazz Peavy has proven himself to be a reliable receiving option for the Badgers, and he brings a lot of versatility to the table as well. But for Wisconsin's offense to take a step forward in 2017 they'll need one other wideout to step up and give quarterback Alex Hornibrook a solid second option - and if it's someone who can take the top off of the defense, all the better.

Right now the leading candidate appears to be Quintez Cephus, who was one of the stars of spring camp earlier in the year and appeared to have taken a step forward after he got on the field as a true freshman in 2016. He and Hornibrook appeared to be developing a connection in the downfield passing game, and Cephus' athletic ability allowed him to make some impressive circus catches during scrimmages and the like. If he can carry that over in to fall camp and beyond it would add another layer to Wisconsin's passing game - one that already boasts Peavy and star tight end Troy Fumagalli.

If Cephus' spring was a flash in the pan, then there would be room for another young receiver to step in - maybe someone like Danny Davis, a highly-touted recruit who was a late add to Wisconsin's 2017 signing class. But Cephus appears to have the inside track, so we'll have to wait and see if he can take his opportunity and run with it.

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John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball, and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.