The Wisconsin Badgers just took a significant hit to their wide receiver room - and it’s one that could sting for a while. Freshman wideout Eugene Hilton Jr., a four-star talent from the Class of 2025, is officially entering the transfer portal after just one season in Madison.
This isn’t just any departure. Hilton was expected to be a major piece of Wisconsin’s offense next season - a potential breakout candidate who showed flashes despite limited opportunities.
He finished the year with eight catches for 91 yards, and while those numbers don’t leap off the page, they don’t tell the full story either. His role grew as the season progressed, and there was a sense that he was on the verge of becoming a regular contributor.
But in an offense that struggled to find rhythm and consistency, touches were hard to come by for everyone - Hilton included.
Now, he’s moving on, and Wisconsin’s wide receiver depth chart is in full rebuild mode.
With Hilton’s exit, the Badgers have now lost seven of their nine scholarship wide receivers from last season. That’s not a typo.
Trech Kekahuna, Vinny Anthony, Jayden Ballard, Dekel Crowdus, Kyan Berry-Johnson, Joseph Griffin Jr., and now Hilton - all gone. That’s a mass exodus, and it leaves Wisconsin with more questions than answers at one of the most critical positions in today’s college football landscape.
To put it bluntly: the Badgers are in scramble mode. They were already expected to be active in the transfer portal, but now it’s a full-on priority.
With this many departures, Wisconsin has no choice but to aggressively pursue experienced, ready-to-play receivers who can step in and contribute right away. There’s no room for developmental projects - they need guys who can line up and make plays from Day 1.
This also raises broader questions about retention and roster management. Wisconsin has increased its investment in NIL and recruiting infrastructure, but keeping top-tier talent like Hilton was supposed to be part of the payoff. Losing a young, high-upside player like him - especially after just one season - is a tough pill to swallow.
Hilton’s departure doesn’t just leave a hole on the depth chart; it leaves a hole in the offensive identity Wisconsin was trying to build. The Badgers brought in new offensive concepts and playmakers to modernize their attack, and Hilton fit that mold - a dynamic, athletic receiver who could stretch the field and create mismatches. Now, they’ll need to find someone else to fill that role, and fast.
The bottom line? Wisconsin’s wide receiver room is in flux, and the transfer portal just became their most important recruiting ground. The Badgers have work to do - and not much time to do it.