All Badgers

Wisconsin Badgers have Big Ten's best weapon against man coverage

Cover Vinny Anthony II one-on-one at your own risk
Lorin Cox|
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) catches the ball as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Bo Mascoe (3) tackles during the second half at SHI Stadium.
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) catches the ball as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Bo Mascoe (3) tackles during the second half at SHI Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

In this story:

Wisconsin Badgers

Cover Vinny Anthony II one-on-one at your own risk.

The Wisconsin Badgers didn't have the most prolific passing attack in 2024, but their No. 1 wide receiver still found ways to produce at a high level.

According to Sports Info Solutions, Anthony produced the most yards per target against man coverage of any wide receiver in the Big Ten last season.

Yes, that includes Ohio State star freshman Jeremiah Smith, who finished second.

Anthony averaged more total yards per reception than Smith, too, but the Buckeyes' star dwarfed him in total catches, yards and touchdowns.

A lot of the junior receiver's production came on deep balls. According to PFF, 292 of his 672 receiving yards last season (43.5%) came on seven passes that traveled 20 or more yards in the air. Three of those went for touchdowns.

Anthony has the speed to pull away from defenders and make defenses pay for leaving him in single coverage.

Wisconsin is going to need more of that from "V8" to get the most out of Billy Edwards Jr. in Jeff Grimes' new offense this season.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

Published
Lorin Cox
LORIN COX

Lorin Cox is the managing editor of Wisconsin Badgers on SI. He has been covering Badgers sports since 2014, when he was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin. He previously wrote for the Wisconsin State Journal, NBC Sports Chicago and USA Today Sports Media Group, and he is a former analyst for Pro Football Focus.

Home/Football