Has Wisconsin Football Found its Quarterback of the Future?

The Wisconsin Badgers football program had a seemingly perfect succession plan set up at quarterback coming into the season. Tanner Mordecai — the star QB from SMU, transferred in to improve his draft stock — and the Badgers brought in a few high-pedigree signal-callers to develop behind him & learn the offense before battling for the job in 2024.

But as we all know, things rarely go according to plan — and an injury to Mordecai that required surgery ultimately led to Locke assuming the reigns as UW’s QB1 sooner than anyone anticipated.

With any young quarterback — you want to avoid making overarching conclusions about who they are — and what they might become based on their first game action. However, Locke has been a hot topic of discussion that has sparked both intrigue and speculation among the fanbase.

Everyone keeps asking: Has Locke surpassed or fallen short of early expectations? Delving into the numbers and dissecting Locke’s performance thus far — and down the stretch should provide a much more nuanced perspective on his projected role for the Wisconsin football team heading into 2024.

Has Wisconsin Football Found its Quarterback of the Future? 

As we evaluate Braedyn Locke’s relatively small body of work, one must consider the uncertainties accompanying a quarterback thrust into the spotlight during the middle of Big Ten play.

The challenges of adapting to a new environment, forging connections with teammates he didn’t get a lot of practice reps with, and an overall lack of prior experience intensify the scrutiny of Locke’s every play.

The forthcoming trio of matchups against potent defenses promises to be a litmus test for Locke’s mettle. While Wisconsin football may not have a prolific offense, the efficacy of Locke’s quarterbacking acumen will undoubtedly shape the team’s trajectory. With a solid defense as their cornerstone, Locke’s ability to navigate pressure situations will be pivotal.

Examining Locke’s statistical landscape, the narrative becomes more intricate. A glance at his 777 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception after three starts might elicit optimism. However, the 50.0 percent completion rate casts a shadow on the counting stats, particularly given his perceived ability to make those short and intermediate throws.

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Locke’s strengths lie in preparation, decision-making, and exploiting defensive vulnerabilities rather than showcasing an elite arm. The recent accuracy concerns, notably against Indiana, raise questions but must be contextualized within the broader narrative of his performance.

The absence of star running back Braelon Allen and starting wideout Chimere Dike adds a layer of complexity — and undoubtedly shortened the playbook. Locke’s resilience in facing an onslaught of third-and-long scenarios has made it difficult to establish any rhythm — which doesn’t fall entirely on him.

It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but I’ve often thought Locke’s situation/skill set reminds me a lot of Jack Coan — but with more upside. When Alex Hornibrook went down in 2018, Coan stepped in and started the season’s final four games, throwing for 515 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions on 5.5 YPA.

That experience Coan got that season was a springboard to an excellent junior season for the Wisconsin football team. Could Locke’s situation mirror that one? It’s certainly plausible — especially if he has an entire offseason to prepare as “the guy.”

Final Thoughts on the Badgers QB Quandary

These final three games will illuminate whether Braedyn Locke is the anchor the Wisconsin Badgers football program needs under center in 2024 — or if Luke Fickell and Phil Longo need to go transfer portal shopping for another stopgap option. 

Knowing the gauntlet schedule that lies ahead — if the coaching staff isn’t sold — they’d be foolish to close the door on adding talent. However, there are only so many scholarships available at the moment, and the Badgers will be adding Mabrey Mettauer to the stable this winter as well. 

If I was a betting man — and had to decide with the info at hand — I think the Wisconsin Badgers will roll with Locke as their QB1 in 2024 — but I also don’t think it would be wise to rule out Nick Evers if he can put it all together because his upside is enormous. 

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