Vinny Anthony II Is Making the Most of His Senior Bowl Spotlight
The NFL Draft process is all about seizing the moment-and right now, Vinny Anthony II is doing just that.
The former Wisconsin wide receiver is turning heads down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, showcasing the kind of playmaking flashes that get scouts scribbling notes and front offices hitting rewind on the film. On Tuesday, Anthony made one of the standout plays of the day: a smooth over-the-shoulder touchdown grab that highlighted both his route-running polish and his concentration in traffic. It wasn’t just a good catch-it was the kind of moment that sticks with you when you’re evaluating guys on the bubble.
For Anthony, this week is about reminding teams of what he can do when the ball is in his hands-and what he can offer beyond the stat sheet.
Let’s be honest: Wisconsin hasn’t exactly been churning out early-round draft picks lately. Last year, the Badgers didn’t have a player taken until the seventh round.
But Anthony is looking to change that narrative. After leading the Badgers in receiving this past season with 31 catches for 391 yards and a score, he also proved his versatility by adding two rushing touchdowns and making a major impact on special teams.
His 27.9-yard average on kick returns ranked fifth in the nation, and he added a kick return touchdown to his resume-making him the first Wisconsin player since 1984 to record a receiving, rushing, and return touchdown in the same season. That kind of versatility matters at the next level, especially for players trying to carve out a roster spot early on.
Now, it’s worth noting that Anthony’s 2025 numbers may not have leapt off the page, but context is key. The Badgers struggled with inconsistent quarterback play this season, and that undoubtedly limited his production.
But scouts aren’t just looking at box scores-they’re watching how a guy moves, how he separates, how he tracks the ball, and how he responds in a competitive environment like the Senior Bowl. And on those fronts, Anthony is checking boxes.
He was one of 130 players invited to Mobile, and he’s already made the most of the opportunity, flashing the kind of dynamic ability that could push him up draft boards. Whether he lands in the middle rounds or later on Day 3, he’s putting himself in the conversation-and that’s exactly what this week is about.
Wisconsin has a few other prospects hoping to hear their names called this spring-edge rusher Mason Reiger, cornerback Ricardo Hallman, and offensive tackle Riley Mahlman among them-but Anthony’s performance in Alabama might just give him a leg up in the race to be the first Badger off the board.
There’s still plenty of time between now and draft weekend, but one thing’s clear: Vinny Anthony II is showing he belongs in the NFL conversation.