Eugene Hilton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal as Wisconsin Faces Offensive Overhaul
The Wisconsin Badgers’ wide receiver room is thinning out fast - and now it’s official: Eugene Hilton Jr., once one of the program’s most promising recruits, is entering the transfer portal. The son of former NFL star T.Y.
Hilton, Eugene arrived in Madison with high expectations as a four-star talent in the 2025 class. But after a season that never quite clicked on offense, Hilton is one of several receivers heading for the exits.
He’s not alone. Hilton joins Kyan Berry-Johnson, Joseph Griffin Jr., and Trech Kekahuna in the portal, as Wisconsin’s once-deep wide receiver corps undergoes a major shakeup.
That leaves Chris Brooks Jr. - the only returning receiver who saw meaningful snaps this past season - as the last man standing. And even that could change, with Brooks reportedly weighing his own options.
A Promising Offense That Never Took Off
Coming into the year, expectations were high for Luke Fickell’s offense. With new coordinator Jeff Grimes calling plays and a revamped system in place, the Badgers were supposed to be faster, more dynamic - a team that could finally stretch the field and light up the scoreboard.
That vision never materialized.
Injuries at quarterback and inconsistency along the offensive line derailed the plan early. Wisconsin struggled to find rhythm, dropped winnable games, and didn’t start showing signs of life until the final stretch of the season. By then, it was too late.
The numbers tell the story. Wisconsin finished dead last in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging just 253.1 yards per game.
The passing game was especially stagnant, producing only 1,637 yards through the air and a total of 154 points on the season. The receivers now in the portal combined for just 307 receiving yards - a clear sign that opportunities were few and far between.
Hilton’s Role and the Road Ahead
For Hilton, the 2024 season was a frustrating one. He came in as a potential breakout candidate, someone who could grow into a larger role as the year progressed. But with the offense sputtering and no real identity to build around, Hilton never had a chance to get going.
Still, his departure isn’t a done deal just yet.
Wisconsin has managed to bring players back from the brink before. Just last year, Trech Kekahuna entered the portal only to return after conversations with the staff.
Kekahuna is back in the portal again now, but that prior experience shows that the door isn’t necessarily closed for Hilton. If the Badgers can present a clearer offensive vision - and a more stable quarterback situation - there’s a chance Hilton could be convinced to stay.
Jeff Grimes will be a key figure in that pitch. With a full offseason under his belt and the opportunity to reload through the portal, Grimes has a chance to reset the offense in 2025. If the quarterback room gets healthy and the scheme starts to click, there could be real opportunity for a player like Hilton to thrive.
Big Decisions Ahead in Madison
The challenge for Wisconsin now is twofold: rebuild the offense and do it quickly. That means hitting the portal hard - not just for wide receivers, but for quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and playmakers across the board. But that kind of overhaul comes at a cost.
The Badgers struggled to land top-tier offensive talent in the portal last offseason, and the steep drop in production this year won’t help their pitch. They’ll need to sell opportunity, development, and a vision for what this offense can become.
The good news? There’s reportedly a stronger financial package in place this offseason, giving Wisconsin a bit more flexibility to compete in the NIL space.
As for Hilton, sources indicate his decision isn’t financially motivated. That could work in Wisconsin’s favor - if the staff can offer a compelling football reason to stay, there’s still a shot to keep one of their most talented young receivers in the fold.
But time is ticking. The portal is open, and the Badgers are at a crossroads. Whether Hilton returns or not, one thing is clear: Wisconsin’s offense is in need of a serious reset, and this offseason will be critical in shaping what comes next.