Notes: True Freshman Eugene Hilton Carving Out a Role for Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — On paper, Wisconsin had a solid 2025 recruiting class. It’s too early to get excited for the long-term haul, but through fall camp, many of the true freshmen have lived up to the hype. With fall camp now winding down, one of those instant impact players should be wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. Even though the Badgers use five other wide receivers with their top unit offensively, Hilton appears to have carved out a role for himself this fall.

“He definitely will have a role,” Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes told reporters following Friday’s practice. “I don’t want to put numbers on it, but he’s one of our better receivers when you’re asking a guy to run a route in the way that it’s designed to be run, create separation, and then go up and make a play on the ball. He just has a knack for getting open and he doesn’t drop balls. The other thing on top of that, where he’s grown a lot is in his blocking. In the spring, like a lot of freshman receivers, didn’t really know that was a thing that was part of the job responsibility, but he’s grown a lot in terms of his toughness.

“Right now, he will definitely play. He will be in the rotation.”

A Rivals four-star prospect, Hilton had other scholarship offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan, Miami (FL), Indiana, and others coming out of Zionsville High School in Indiana. Hilton is the son of former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.

Emerson Mandell Locks Down Right Guard Spot

One of the biggest position battles entering fall camp was at right guard. Over the past two weeks or so, redshirt freshman Emerson Mandell has been with the first-team offense and has not looked back.

“He’s a guy that I think we have all known has tremendous potential,” Grimes said. “He missed a lot of time in the spring due to a high ankle sprain, a sprain that was one of those where he’s trying to go, but he’s just kind of hanging on. So, I don’t think we got a real good evaluation of where he was at the time, and as a young guy that hasn’t really played, and you have a new offense that has a lot of stuff, I just don’t think we really saw who he was at the time.

“I think he’s done a good job really preparing himself for this fall, and now he’s become a guy that is more reliable, knows what’s going on, and we still see that potential that he has. He’s one of those few guys that’s big enough, strong enough that he can just handle a big defensive tackle by himself, and there aren’t a whole lot of humans that can do that at this level. So we’re still seeing that from him, but now we’re seeing a guy that’s more consistent.”

Tucker Ashcraft Out For Fall Camp

As announced Thursday, Wisconsin junior tight end Tucker Ashcraft will miss the remainder of fall camp with a lower leg injury. On Friday, redshirt freshman Grant Stec moved into the first-team offense, joined by senior Lance Mason. Although the Badgers have just one proven body in the tight end room as of now, Grimes has others ways to cope without Ashcraft.

“It certainly hurts, because ‘Tuck’ has had a tremendous camp,” Grimes explained. “I would say he’s been one of the most improved players that we’ve had from the spring to this fall, in every aspect. We’ll be ready for him when he gets back.

“It certainly puts us in position where some other guys have to step up and play a little bit more than what we anticipated. But, we’ve got other guys that will be ready. It may mean that we may not use as many multiple tight end formations as we had thought. The nice thing is, we have plenty of receivers that I think can play. And we’ve got some receivers that we can use to do some of the jobs that tight ends would normally do. We’ve got some really physical blockers at receiver. Chris Brooks, in particular, comes to mind, and can do a lot of the things that a tight end does. He’s maybe the best blocking wide receiver I’ve been around.

“Then, having the ability to play with multiple backs. When all three of those guys are healthy, we can play with two of those guys on the field at the same time, then you still do some of the things that you might have done in ’12’ (personnel) without feeling like you’ve gotta spread it out more.”

Jump Ball Joe

One of the breakout players from spring, Joseph Griffin has flashed again in fall camp with his ability to come down with 50-50 balls. The former Boston College wide receiver didn’t play in 2024 due to transfer rules. Griffin is still primarily working with the No. 2 offense, but Grimes may use him in spots this season.

“The biggest thing Joe brings is jump ball ability,” Grimes said. “If we’re going to throw the ball up to a guy, one of those 50-50 balls, I don’t know that there’s a guy that’s better at going up and getting it right now than him. I would say that’s the biggest thing that he brings to us right now. He’s also a good blocker as well. Big, physical kid, and is — he missed some time as well, so he’s still growing in terms of understanding the entire system as well.”

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