In a turn of events, the Wisconsin Badgers are getting freshman wide receiver Eugene Hilton back after he initially announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal.
Hilton, a four-star recruit from Indiana in the Class of 2025, was one of Wisconsin’s biggest adds at the position in recent years. He played in all 12 games as a freshman, catching eight passes for 91 yards.
Standing 6’1, 200 pounds, Hilton was expected to take on a bigger role for the Badgers in 2025, but, amid questions about the offense,
he entered the transfer portal and was immediately courted by top programs, including the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators.
However, after a big wave of transfer portal commitments over the past week, including the likes of Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph, talks between Hilton and the Badgers began to increase, and the former four-star recruit is now back with the program for the 2026 season.
Hilton will have a chance to earn a starting role in a wide receiver room that will look much different next season. Wisconsin will be without six of its scholarship receivers from a year ago, and have added transfer portal wide receivers Jaylon Domingeaux and Shamar Rigby.
Both are bigger-bodied receivers that should man one of the boundary spots for the Badgers, while Hilton and fellow returner Chris Brooks Jr. project as the top receivers at the other boundary spot. Hilton could also see some time in the slot, where he saw some snaps last year.
But, this is a huge addition (or retention) for the Badgers, as they’re able to keep a young, promising receiver in the building despite some top programs being interested.
