Why Billy Edwards Jr. could be the right fit at QB for Wisconsin
Billy Edwards Jr. is the Wisconsin football team's hand-picked transfer QB to lead Jeff Grimes' offense. Here's why he could be a fit for the Badgers.
The University of Wisconsin football team's quarterback room has undergone a complete overhaul this offseason, and Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. is the hand-picked addition tasked with leading Jeff Grimes’ offense.
He started 11 games for Maryland last season, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as a redshirt junior.
Despite playing behind a shaky offensive line and having a poor run game, the 6-foot-3, 219-pound signal-caller still finished third in the Big Ten conference in passing yards per game (261.9) on 6.9 yards per attempt. Edwards also showed mobility when called upon, rushing for 148 yards and five scores on the ground.
"When you look at the vision for Coach Fickell to get Wisconsin back to what they're known for—the ability to run the ball, be the toughest team on the schedule, and play smash-mouth football, I think Coach Grimes' offense is a direct reflection of that," Edwards said.
For fans unfamiliar with his game, Edwards' IQ, toughness, and leadership are a few traits that immediately jump out when you dig into his tape.
A new quarterback for a new offensive system
Edwards will be stepping into an offense that desperately needs a reset.
Under Phil Longo, the Badgers offense never found its footing. Wisconsin averaged 22.5 points per game in 2023 and 22.6 points per game last season—the program’s worst back-to-back seasons since 1991-92. They also struggled mightily to move the ball and put up points against quality competition prior to Longo being relieved of his duties by Luke Fickell.
Against five ranked teams last season, the Badgers averaged just 15.4 points per game—all losses. Wisconsin also ranked near the bottom of the nation in several advanced metrics—finishing 106th in EPA per play, 104th in EPA per dropback, and 100th in EPA per rush. Put simply: it wasn’t good enough by any stretch of the imagination—a fresh start was necessary.
Now, Grimes is tasked with overhauling the system, and he believes that Edwards is the right man under center to help do it.
"I saw a guy that had toughness, that was able to stand in there and take a lot of hits and not impact how he played the game," Grimes said of Edwards. "He threw a lot of balls with people right in his face, and he's letting it go. None of that impacted him. I thought he had arm talent. I thought he had good athletic ability. I like his size.
"It was a combination of all those things at first. As I got to know him, I recognized that he's got all the intangibles you'd be looking for. He's smart, he's competitive, and he's really driven to be great."
Football IQ and command of the offense
Edwards’ skill set falls somewhere between a game manager who excels at distributing the football with timing and efficiency—and a playmaker capable of extending plays outside structure.
The Virginia native operates with a strong understanding of not just his responsibilities but those of all 11 players on the field. Edwards' ability to diagnose defenses pre-snap and adjust protections, route concepts, or audibles often puts his teammates in the best position to execute.
That awareness carries over after the snap, where Edwards' ability to read defenses and anticipate movement stands out. He works through his progressions efficiently, consistently delivering the ball on time and in rhythm. That quick decision-making translated to results, as his 2.79-second average time to throw ranked third among Big Ten quarterbacks who played at least 20% of their team’s snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.
That understanding not only allows Edwards to put his teammates in the best positions to succeed but also makes him a natural fit for a system built on timing, execution, and multiplicity. His ability to process and distribute efficiently should translate well into Wisconsin’s NFL-style offense under Grimes, where decision-making and ball placement are pivotal.
Toughness and mobility
It doesn’t take long after turning on Edwards’ film at Maryland to recognize his toughness—both in standing tall in the pocket under pressure and embracing physicality as a runner.
His willingness to absorb hits while delivering throws in tight windows is evident, but what separates Edwards is his ability to be a factor in the run game—whether on the occasional designed QB run, read-option keepers, or when a play breaks down. Edwards is more than capable of pulling the ball and taking what the defense gives him, and when he does, he runs with physicality, lowering his shoulder to fight for extra yards.
That added dimension is something Wisconsin has sorely lacked in recent years, particularly in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Last season, the Badgers offense struggled to capitalize when it mattered, finishing 108th out of 134 teams nationally in red-zone efficiency (78.38%), which measures the percentage of trips that ended with points scored.
At Maryland, Edwards was frequently utilized as a runner in short-yardage and goal-line packages, particularly early in his career when he backed up Taulia Tagovailoa and served as a gadget player.
Over his three seasons with the Terrapins, Edwards found paydirt 13 times with his legs. That versatility should be key for Wisconsin in the red zone, especially under head coach Luke Fickell, where physicality still remains a top priority.
Grimes has made it clear that mobility is an important trait for his quarterbacks, but he also has a specific preference for the type of dual-threat ability he wants at the position moving forward.
“I would prefer a guy who's a thrower that can run as opposed to a runner who can also throw,” Grimes told reporters.
“But if he's a dynamic athlete, he's electric when he's got the ball in his hand, I'd be willing to take a little bit off of his arm talent, and maybe you build a system around that a little bit more. But in terms of what I'd prefer, it's something like what I hope we have in Billy.”
More than capable as a passer
Edwards often stays composed in high-pressure situations, a necessary trait for any starting quarterback. His steady demeanor allows him to keep an even keel, not letting the highs or lows of a game dictate his play on the field.
That composure is particularly evident in how he operates under duress, and Edwards was under plenty at Maryland. He stands tall in the pocket, delivering throws even when defenders are closing in. Edwards has shown the capability of moving around within the pocket, resetting his feet, and finding his target downfield without rushing his mechanics.
Beyond his poise, one of the most intriguing aspects of Edwards’ game is that he gives coaches options when building a game plan around him. He has experience operating in both pass-heavy game plans and balanced offensive schemes. There are games where he’s been tasked with throwing 50-plus times and others where his role has been to get the ball to his playmakers and let them go to work.
In short, Edwards seems like a guy who will do what the team needs to win.
Edwards’ skill set also lends itself well to making throws with precision, whether it’s on well-timed deep shots, touch passes, or threading the needle in tight coverage across the middle. His ability to drop passes in with timing and anticipation stands out when watching Edwards' film.
According to Pro Football Focus, Edwards posted a 75.9 overall offensive grade and a 71.3 passing grade—both considered above average to good marks. These data points reinforce that he can operate as a Big Ten caliber quarterback capable of producing against quality competition.
He also posted a 12.3% pressure-to-sack rate—one of the better marks in the Big Ten last season—which is even more notable when considering the disfunction of Maryland’s offensive line play during their 4-8 campaign under Mike Locksley.
Beyond the numbers, Edwards’ skill set appears to be a match for Grimes’ offensive philosophy, which emphasizes running the ball effectively while taking calculated shots downfield. Last season, 15.2% of Edwards' passes came on throws of 20+ yards downfield. He connected on 19 of his 64 attempts, earning a 78.5 grade from PFF—considered a solid mark—while tallying 17 big-time throws, the third-most among Big Ten quarterbacks.
I wouldn’t classify Edwards as having elite arm talent, but he does bring an above-average arm for the college game. His knack for extending plays and creating opportunities downfield will be key for Wisconsin, especially as the Badgers staff shifts toward a more physical and explosive offense under Jeff Grimes.
He doesn’t have any elite traits, and Edwards' accuracy as a passer falls into the above-average category, but there aren’t any glaring weaknesses in his game either. That, in itself, feels like a positive after watching an entire season of tape where Edwards operated behind a subpar offensive line and within a system that also lacked a clear-cut identity.
A better situation at Wisconsin
It’s worth pointing out that Edwards is stepping into a massive upgrade when it comes to offensive line play. Wisconsin finished 12th nationally in PFF’s pass protection grade, while Maryland—by comparison—ranked 132nd.
The Badgers also came in at 59th for run blocking grade, with the Terps sitting way down at 133rd. Notably, Wisconsin tied for 15th best in sacks allowed (13), whereas Maryland finished 71st, giving up 26 sacks.
It’s fair to wonder what Edwards might look like with a little more time to operate behind a Wisconsin offensive line that returns three quality starters.
“I don't want guys who are statues back there,” Grimes said. “I just don't think that very often you can win anymore with a guy like that back there. So I wanted a guy who could also provide some run threat.
"And I thought he had all those things.”
On paper, many of Edwards' strengths align well with the program's blue-collar roots. His experience and toughness should help him hit the ground running in spring practice, where Edwards will take over the starting job right away.
His approach is exactly what Wisconsin needs as the Badgers work to re-establish their offensive identity under Grimes. And let’s be honest: by staying healthy and providing stability, Edwards will be a significant upgrade from what the team got at quarterback last season. He may not be the 'needle mover' who instantly makes Wisconsin football a contender, but Edwards' presence alone raises the floor of the Badgers new-look offense.
With Edwards running the offense, Wisconsin fans have some reason for optimism in 2025—because, for the first time in years, the Badgers could field a competent offense. The real challenge will be navigating one of the toughest schedules in the country. Wins might be harder to come by than some realize, but with a steady presence under center, they’ll at least give themselves a puncher’s chance—which is all you can ask.
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