Receiver Eugene HIlton withdraws from transfer portal, returns to Wisconsin

17 hours ago 2

MADISON – One of Wisconsin’s biggest success stories of the transfer portal involves a player who didn’t get away.

Two and a half weeks after Eugene Hilton Jr. expressed his intention to enter the transfer portal, the rising sophomore receiver is back with the Badgers.

The son of former NFL Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton shared the news with 247sports and then made a post on his X and Instagram pages.

There was a one word message below his name on the graphic: RETURNING.

Eugene Hilton caught nine passes for 91 yards as a freshman

Getting the 6-foot-1, 210-pound receiver is a boon for the Badgers' receiving room. He caught eight passes for 91 this season and was targeted just 11 times but displayed traits for the position that were beyond his years.

With no clear cut No. 1 receiver returning, Hilton has the potential to be an impact player next season.

The Badgers have added two receivers from the transfer portal: Shamar Rigby, a rising junior from Oklahoma State, and Jaylon Domingeaux, a rising senior from Southeastern Louisiana.

The advantage the Badgers have in Hilton is that he has already spent one year in Jeff Grimes' offense.

Despite his low number of catches, he played 158 snaps on offense, according to Pro Football Focus. He worked as an outside and slot receiver, though the majority (79%) of his snaps came on the outside.

Prior to the season Grimes praised Hilton for his route running, ability to gain separation and make a play on the ball. Grimes said Hilton wsa getting better at the dirty aspects of the job, too.

"The other thing on top of that where he's grown a lot is in his blocking," Grimes said. "In the spring, like a lot of freshman receivers, he 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,"

Luke Fickell has been open to players returning from portal

In some programs, after a player enters the portal there is no chance for a return.

That hasn’t been the case at UW. Last year Jamel Howard announced he was entering the portal but returned.

The Badgers had a similar experience with Hilton.

“I don't hold grudges,” Fickell said. “Don't get me wrong, that's something I've had to grow past, but to be honest with you I think that it's so confusing that I don't blame kids and some of the things that they maybe are doing. Not to say I like it, but I don't blame them so, no, I don't close the door completely on it.”

More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Badgers cap Day 6 by adding veteran safety

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WR Eugene HIlton withdraws from transfer portal, returns to Wisconsin

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