The relationship between a quarterback and his receivers is an important one for the success of any football team. If a team's signal caller and his pass catchers aren't on the same page it slows the entire offense down, but if those players have that good rapport, that ability to trust one another to make the right play on the football field, the offense will run like a well-oiled machine. Wisconsin head coach Brett Bielema must have had that vital relationship in mind when the Badgers' brought quarterback Russell Wilson in for an early June visit in hopes of convincing the former All-ACC athlete to play his final year of college football eligibility in Madison.
As most Badgers fans know by now, during his visit to campus Wilson met with several players and coaches, but it was senior wide receiver Nick Toon that Bielema trusted to show Wilson around town.
Wilson stayed with Toon during his visit, establishing an early relationship between two of the Badgers' top offensive playmakers this season. Since then Wilson and Toon have become fast friends, something that helps form a dynamic on-field connection.
""It helps when you bond outside of the football field. It definitely helps,"" Wilson said. ""It helps you trust one another and continually build that trust on the field.""
According to Toon, he and Wilson have a relationship that isn't common among players of their positions.
""Russell is a good friend; we get along well on and off the field,"" he said. ""I've never really had a quarterback that I've hung out with and clicked with as much as I do with Russell off the field so that is a new dimension for me.""
""I don't know how many quarterbacks and receivers hang out off the field because of the nature of the positions,"" Toon said. ""In our situation our personalities are similar and it definitely doesn't hurt to have that on the field.""
In the season opener last Thursday against UNLV, Wilson connected with Toon twice for 54 yards. Both completions came on Wisconsin's third scoring drive of the game. On the first hook up Wilson rolled out of the pocket and found Toon downfield for a 39-yard gain and then stood tall in the pocket to again find Toon streaking across the middle of the field.
While the plays didn't make anyone's highlight reel after the game, those two completions to Toon showed off the dynamic playmaking ability Wilson brings to the Badgers' offense and the potential the two players have to form a potent offensive duo. Having a quarterback that can extend the play by rolling out of the pocket will help Toon get open on a more regular basis this season and should lead to big plays for the UW offense.
Toon said that Wilson's playmaking ability was evident from the first time the two practiced together.
""I know what he can do. I've seen what he can do. I wasn't surprised at all by how he played on Thursday,"" Toon said. ""[Wilson's talent] was evident from the first time I went out and threw with him. He's a great player and I'm very happy to have him here at Wisconsin.""
If Toon and Wilson prove to be as capable as they believe each other are, an already explosive offense just might help carry the Badgers to unprecedented heights this season.
