Wisconsin Football: Musings on the Quarterback Competition

Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin Badgers football program are holding an open competition for the QB1 job.

The candidates? Everyone. 

Offensive coordinator Phil Longo made it clear this is a four-person competition between transfer Tyler Van Dyke, Braedyn Locke, Nick Evers, and true freshman Mabrey Mettauer. 

“We’re gonna give every one of them an opportunity,” Longo told reporters. “Some will get more than others, but we’re gonna give them all enough so that we can evaluate them. How can Mabrey take a brand-new offense coming from something totally different in high school and make the transition? That’s what we’re trying to figure out with him. Nick, we’re trying to evaluate how much has he improved from last year.

“With Braedyn and Tyler, we’re trying to allow them to go and compete right now. To me, this is a four-man competition.”

Wisconsin Football Has a Talented Quarterback Room 

Local media were able to watch the first padded practice of the Wisconsin football team’s spring schedule. Right hand up, I was dismissive of the notion that the Badgers were having a real open competition, but coming away from the practice session, I think I was wrong.

On Saturday, I thought Braedyn Locke looked really good. He appears to have gotten bigger and showed command of the offense. Tyler Van Dyke also had his moments, but the deep ball accuracy left something to be desired.

“Whoever comes out of this competition as our starter will be a really good one because it’s a good room,” Longo said on The Camp.

While I’m not proclaiming that the Badgers will have an all-conference signal caller this season, I do like the makeup of the Wisconsin football team’s quarterback room quite a bit. From top to bottom, each of them brings something different to the table — and there’s plenty of upside.

Van Dyke has a big arm and plenty of Power 5 experience. Locke brings knowledge of the playbook, an accurate arm, and a high floor. Evers has unmatched physical tools and an NFL upside. Mettauer is the full package and could become the program’s long-term option with some seasoning.

Nobody knows if the Wisconsin football starting QB will “hit” in 2024 but this room features a number of the highest pedigree options the Badgers have ever had from top to bottom.

“I think any time you have more talent in the room, and not just bodies, it breeds competition,” Longo expressed. “So if you want reps and you want to get on the field, you have to beat out a number of other good players.”

The Badgers Need to Strike Delicate Balance With QB Reps 

Here’s my take on the situation: I doubt the Wisconsin football QB competition between Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke will be settled by the end of spring practices. In fact, I’d bet half-way decent money it’ll roll into fall camp.

Van Dyke, with his 28 career starts and 7,469 passing yards from his time at Miami, brings more experience to the table compared to Locke, who filled in for an injured Tanner Mordecai last season. Phil Longo also hand-picked him this offseason to come and run his system.

That said, the Badgers’ staff wants to see Van Dyke “come out of his shell” and consistently execute well to secure the starting spot. Locke appears to have taken a noticeable step this offseason and presents a tough challenge with his knowledge of the offense and familiarity with the returning weapons.

Locke, now a redshirt sophomore, played in five games for the Wisconsin football team last season, completing 50% of his passes for 777 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

Throughout the first week of spring ball, both Van Dyke and Locke took turns with the first-team offense. I find that interesting because that’s the opposite of how they distributed reps at the top of the depth chart last spring. Evers has also gotten far more opportunities with the second team, with Mettauer working behind him.

In short, Wisconsin football is trying to give all of its quarterbacks a chance to showcase themselves so as not to chase anyone off. In the transfer portal era, it’s tough to build depth at any position, let alone QB. The Badgers staff must strike a delicate balance to keep this room intact.

While Van Dyke is considered the frontrunner for the starting role and would be my early pick to earn the job in 2024 on NIL investment alone, it’s become evident nothing is being handed to him. I genuinely think the Wisconsin football coaching staff is giving Locke a path to factor in.

“I think when a guy takes the bull by the horns out there, and they demonstrate and separate themselves from everybody else .. they decide it,” Longo said. “The team knows who it is. The coaches know who it is, you know, declaring it is really just repeating the obvious. We’ll give them all an opportunity and let somebody go attack it.”

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