Wisconsin

Who Makes Wisconsin’s Mt. Rushmore of wide receivers?

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

Who Makes Wisconsin’s Mt. Rushmore of wide receivers?

After a two-week break, we chug on with our positional Wisconsin Badgers Mr. Rushmores.

Today features a vitally important but recently star-deprived position: wide receiver. I suspect that this will create some robust discussions like running back, fullback, and quarterback did, so let’s get cracking.

Al Toon

I submit that there hasn’t been a Badger pass catcher in the history of the program as talented as 1995 UW Athletics Hall of Famer, Al Toon.

The two-time All-Big Ten first-team wide receiver was the complete package: size, speed, hands, and intangibles (not a bad arm, either), and left Madison for the Jets with then school records in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

The fact that concussions robbed him of realizing his full NFL potential after being taken No. 10 overall and making three Pro Bowls is sad, but the fact remains that Toon’s contributions to the Wisconsin program (including wide receiver Nick Toon) are unmatched by any other Badger wideout.

Pat Richter

I’m going to address the elephant in the room right away: Richter was technically a tight end, but the reality is that he played wide receiver for Wisconsin (and was formally called a wideout later during his NFL career). I even saved him for this Mt. Rushmore rather than putting him on my TE one.

Although I submit that Richter’s finest moment came in early 1990 as Athletic Director when he made a very special hire, he was also one hell of a wide receiver for the Badgers.

A three-sport (!) varsity guy for Wisconsin and 1991 school Hall of Famer, Richter did his finest work as a football wide receiver, where he was a two-time first-team All-American and went for 11 catches and 163 yards in a 1962 Rose Bowl loss to USC.

He then parlayed his Badger career into an eight-year NFL stint after being selected in the first round by Washington in 1963.

Richter has been a legendary figure in Madison for over 60 years and led the athletic department’s 1990s renaissance until he retired as AD in 2006. Just an absolute stud.

Lee Evans

This 2016 UW Athletics Hall of Fame member just did it all for Wisconsin.

His 3,468 yards and 27 touchdowns both still stand as school records, and he was part of one of the most iconic moments in program history in a 2003 upset of No. 1 Ohio State.

Evans still holds both of the top two single-season receiving yardage marks in program history. Not even a torn ACL in 2002 could derail his rising star, and Evans parlayed his Badger success into a solid eight-year NFL career where he retired with 6,008 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Fun fact: Evans once had 5 touchdowns in a single game vs Michigan State. For reference, six receiving touchdowns led the Badgers in 2023.

Brandon Williams

Here’s where things get really hard. Jared Abbredaris has a very good argument for this spot, but in the end, Williams just barely gets the nod for his pure production and consistency with a bit less talent around him than Abbredaris had.

Williams’ touchdown numbers (10) weren’t splashy, but he was an unrivaled chain mover and always seemed to make key grabs.

202 catches for almost 3,000 career yards over four seasons are just a testament to his value and consistency. He currently sits No. 3 all-time in receiving yards and is tied for No. 1 in catches in school history.

Just Missed: Abbredaris. He deserves his own tier and if this were a 5 man mountain, he’d be on it. This is the first Mt. Rushmore snub that I actually feel badly about.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Chambers, Tony Simmons, Lee DeRamus, Alex Erickson.

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Wisconsin

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

11 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, the town of Sister Bay is a waterfront town directly on Green Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Sister Bay for its access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and water pursuits such as boating, fishing, and ice-skating during winter. The town hosts a number of seasonal festivals including a film fest, marina fest, outdoor concert series, and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The annual Roofing of the Goats Parade is a popular event tied to Al Johnson’s, a local restaurant known for goats that graze on its rooftop during summer months.

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Wisconsin

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.

We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.

There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)

Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).

Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).

Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).

Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).

Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).

Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).

Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).

Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).

Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).

Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).

Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).

Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).

Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).

Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).

Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).

Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).

Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).

Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).

Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).

Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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