MADISON – The weather for the final spring practice of 2026 was oh so Wisconsin.
The Badgers football team worked for a little less than two hours at Camp Randall Stadium on Wednesday morning, April 29, under overcast skies and in 40-degree temperatures.
Wisconsin has typically practiced in shells and helmets for its second practice of the week. This time the practice was fully padded and included live tackling, blocking for the kicking scrimmage that ended the day.
“There was pretty much everything in that whole small kick scrimmage right there,” Badgers coach Luke Fickell said. “But more than anything, you just want to see what kind of guys want to compete.”
Here are four takeaways from UW’s practice:
Eugene Hilton has inside track to be Wisconsin’s kickoff returner
Sophomore Eugene Hilton is poised to have a larger role in the Badgers’ offense. He has also typically been getting the first reps at kick returner in addition to fielding punts.
While the punt returner role will likely be filled again by redshirt senior Tyrell Henry, the Badgers have a void at kickoff returner due to the departure of Vinny Anthony. Hilton showed he could be the next man up with an approximately 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the first play of the special teams scrimmage.
Hilton was almost untouched on the play. He made a cut at about the 25, got to the sideline and was gone.
Eric Fletcher has potential impact in multiple phases of the game
Redshirt sophomore cornerback Eric Fletcher, who is the mix for first-team reps, broke up two passes during the 7-on-7 segment then made one of the plays of the day when he blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt by Gavin Lahm. The ball was scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
Chris Brooks, Tyrell Henry make contested catches
A point of emphasis for the Badgers this spring has been for the receivers to make contested catches. There were a few of note Wednesday:
Mason Kelley can kick field goals
The scrimmage ended with a place-kicking competition between Hilton and fellow receiver Mason Kelley, a former standout at Mukwonago High School. Kelley, a quarterback in high school, has been a solid walk-on at receiver. Wednesday he showed he can make a clutch field goal.
Kelley and Hilton attempted a 27-yard field goals to end practice. Kelley nailed his on the first attempt to give his team the scrimmage win. Hilton went 0 for 2.
The coaches for the losing team had to run (or walk) the stadium steps.
Tyreese Fearbry, PJ Wilkins battles highlighted spring
Outside linebacker Tyreese Fearby and tackle PJ Wilkins have battled throughout the spring. Wilkins got the best of the matchup during a one-on-one pass rushing segment, driving Fearbry to the turf. It was a rare sight.
Speaking of Fearbry, the fifth-year senior completed a strong spring by batting down a Colton Joseph pass at the line up of scrimmage and recording another sack.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin’s Eugene Hilton, Eric Fletcher boost special teams in last spring practice
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
