Colton Joseph has his Best Day of Camp as a Potential No. 1 Receiver Emerges

Sophomore wide receiver had his best practice of fall camp Wednesday

Colton Joseph during Wisconsin football practice on August 6. | Christian Borman

To this point, it’s seemed that Wisconsin may not have a true No. 1 receiver, rather a handful of guys who can be productive. But if today’s practice was any indicator of how Wisconsin’s offense will look, Eugene Hilton is Colton Joseph’s top target, and has the tools to become a go-to wideout.

It’s obviously just one practice, but it’s hard to overstate how good Hilton looked today. No, this isn’t one of the best secondaries in the nation most likely, but the corners and safeties have all been solid throughout camp. Today, they had absolutely no answer for Hilton, who made highlight play after highlight play.

In the first 11-on-11 period of the day, Hilton wasted no time making his presence felt. Joseph immediately found the sophomore wide open behind the entire defense for a long touchdown. 

This secondary hasn’t been beaten over the top much throughout camp, but even a subpar throw from Joseph would’ve found Hilton. That’s how much space he created.

While the connection was one of the longest scoring plays of camp thus far, it was arguably the least spectacular of Hilton’s scores and the least impressive touchdown throw from Joseph. 

Given Wisconsin’s quarterback situation over the last few seasons, a deep-ball connection not being the throw of the day is almost hard to believe, but that’s how good some of Joseph’s throws were.

Dominance in 7-on-7

During some 7-on-7 work in the red zone, with Joseph sitting back in the pocket, Hilton wiggled free heading towards the left side of the end zone. Joseph fired a strike to the sophomore receiver who fully extended the make a spectacular catch that would’ve been good on Sundays.

Eugene Hilton during practice on August 6. | Christian Borman

Backing things up, from just outside the end zone, the two connected for another score, this one coming on a more difficult throw from Joseph. As he rolled to his right, with Cooper Catalano staring him in the eyes, Hilton freed himself up along the back of the end zone, breaking free of Jai'mier Scott's coverage.

Joseph has taken shots to the back of the end zone to receivers running horizontally throughout camp, a few connecting, others soaring out of bounds. This time, his throw was right on the mark, and Hilton made an easy catch, taking a few steps before continuing out the back of the endzone. 

Play of the day, maybe all of camp

Not to diminish any of those touchdowns, but Joseph and Hilton had one connection today that stood above the rest, and was probably the best offensive play of camp to date.

Back in 11-on-11 action, from about 30 yards out, Hilton created just enough separation from Javan Robinson for Joseph to throw his way, and it created a sensational highlight. 

As Hilton quickly approached the back of the end zone, Joseph dropped the throw in just about the only place he could to keep it in bounds and away from Robinson, and Hilton not only came down with the contested catch, but dragged his feet to complete the touchdown. 

Robinson played the ball nearly perfectly, and almost got his hand on it, but Joseph put it just over his outstretched arm. It’s not often you get a play where coverage is essentially perfect, but the throw and catch are even more perfect, but this was one of them.

Wisconsin is going to be a run-first team, there’s no doubt about it. Jeff Grimes wants to lean on a bell cow running back, and there’s going to be a lot of running from Joseph, but if the passing game can look anything like it did today, the Badgers will have a legit multi-dimensional offense.

As for Hilton, there’s all the opportunities in the world to step into a WR1 role this fall. He’s been productive all fall, but he took things to another level today. If he can maintain this production, a lot of questions about the passing game will have answers.