MADISON – After last week, it's clear that Wisconsin needs all the weapons it can find.
The Badgers produced season lows for points, total yards, passing yards and first downs in a 17-7 loss at No. 12 UCLA Oct. 17. It was the kind of game that for UW would have been winnable with the help of an additional big-play or two.
Jaylon Domingeaux couldn’t save the Badgers from their second loss of the season, but maybe his time is coming.
The senior receiver missed the first five games due a finger injury but returned against the Bruins and caught a team-high two passes for 26 yards. That hardly registers as a impactful performance, but his play during spring practice and fall camp showed he is a player with the potential to do much more.
“Yeah, he's a dog, absolutely an animal out there,” Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph said.
On Oct. 20, Domingeaux spoke to reporters about hiis injury, recovery and decision to make the jump to the Big Ten. Here is what we learned plus a look at his potential impact on UW’s receiving corps.
TAKE THE TOP OFF
— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) November 1, 2025
Carson Camp to Jaylon Domingeaux – 82 YARD PITCH AND CATCH!@LionUpFootball lead early in the 1Q! pic.twitter.com/Hiv3GDISY1
Domingeaux made jump from Southeastern Louisiana
Domingeaux (dom-adge-ee-oh) came to UW after three seasons at FCS Southeastern Louisiana where he caught 104 passes for 1,486 yards and 14 touchdowns. He made 52 recptions for 857 yards, a career-high 16.5-yard average, and 11 touchdowns last season when he was a second-team all-Southland Conference selection.
He was on pace to move into the top 10 in program history for catches and receiving yards but decided to transfer. Two factors played a role in his decision.
1. Teammates who told him it was time to showcase his skills at a different level.
2. Facing LSU last season. Domingeaux was limited to two catches for 16 yards in a 56-10 loss, but he did not feel out of his league against SEC competition.
“It was just like I wasn't nervous at all,” he said. “Came out, got the ball, and I was just like, ‘Man, I could dominate on this level', so it was just like I'm ready to take that next step.”
Injury late in fall camp delayed start to season
Domingeaux was earning a spot in the receiver rotation when an injury to a finger on his left hand late in fall camp sidelined him. He was blocking when he realized he hurt his hand.
"I was devastated at that time. I didn't know what to do," he said. "I'm not going to lie. I was depressed. I was sad, but then I realized God does everything for a reason and I realized that reason was to make me become a better leader for myself."
The 12-week estimated recovery time for the injury would have sidelined him for most of the season. Domingeaux wasn't hearing that.
“I said, I'll be back before that,” he said. “I just pushed myself through rehab and therapy. I told my therapist I wanted to come back earlier and it just happened because of God."
He said he was cleared to catch passes the week of the Michigan State game. As soon as he received that go-ahead, he resumed his morning workout routine.
"We did a great job just strengthening and stretching it and just doing things for me to get that confidence back," Domingeaux said. "And me also putting that extra time on the JUGS (machine). I come in here every morning at 5:30 and catch 120 balls every day. It's just like me preparing myself for that moment, so when it comes it don't fall."
Domingeaux makes strong impression with coaches, teammates
For an offense that struggled to produce chunk plays last season, Domingeaux’s ability to break big plays during the spring and preseason stood out. Off the the field, the detail of his preparation caught receiver coach Ari Confesor's attention.
“Coach Fick always talks about being a pro and he handles his day-to-day operation like he were a pro,” Confesor said about Domingeaux in the spring. “And it's from the way he practices to the way he takes notes in meetings to the way he competes.”
Domingeaux's experience and age helped make him one of the leaders of a receivers room that returned just three contributors from last season. He leaned into that role while he was injured and was an animated presence on the sideline during games.
He plans to continue bringing that vibe now that he has returned to the field.
“Just competing every day, going out and practice, having fun," he said, "just being me and bringing the energy to the offense so guys can pick up off that.”
How Domingeaux might fit in with the Badgers
The initial impressions of Domingeaux were so strong that he started against UCLA and caught a 3-yard pass from Joseph on the first play from scrimmage. On the Badgers second possession, Domingeaux's number was called on a third-and-25 play that netted 23 yards.
The play showed Joseph’s trust in Domingeaux.
“(For) Colton to trust me and just throw it up there on third and long for me to go make the play, I feel like that showed the confidence in my hands no matter if the injury (happend) or not,” Domingeaux said.
He finished the night with 17 offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and caught the ball each time he was targeted.
He showed he is capable of handling a larger work load.. Badgers coach Luke Fickell talked about the possibility of using Domingeaux in the return game, but his abillity to line in the slot or on the outside should help create opportunities, too.
“I think getting him back in the mix is really important for us, ...” Fickell said. "He's a guy that definitely has a competitive fire and a competitive spirit that we want to give more opportunities to.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A look at Wisconsin WR Jaylon Domingeaux's recovery, potential impact