Wisconsin Football: Predicting the 2023 QB Depth Chart

Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin football has made some exciting moves through the portal over the last few weeks. From picking up key defensive depth to a slew of new quarterbacks, UW is revamping its program for 2023.

Next season, Wisconsin will have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in program history. Thanks to the additions of Tanner Mordecai, Nick Evers, and Braedyn Locke, the Badgers will have some shakeups in their QB depth chart.

With the offseason still far from over, here’s an early prediction of how the quarterback depth chart will shake out.

Redshirt/Reserve QBs

Cole LaCrue

Cole LaCrue will head to Madison after a state championship win in Colorado. The three-star prospect has an intriguing skillset as a dual-threat QB with plenty of upside. However, with the surplus of talent in the QB room, LaCrue will likely redshirt in his first season with the program.

Marshall Howe

Howe, an upcoming sophomore, will again be a reserve QB in 2023. The California native spent time behind Mertz, Wolf, and Burkett in 2022 and has yet to attempt a pass. The level of talent above Howe is just too much to top at the moment, giving him another year to develop.

Myles Burkett

Burkett will get an opportunity to develop in 2023 under a new offensive scheme as a reserve QB. The Franklin, Wisconsin native has appeared in two games in his career, completing four passes. Burkett brings valuable depth to Wisconsin’s quarterback group. Although it may be tough to climb the ranks this season, his role as a reserve will be important.

Wisconsin football QB4: Braedyn Locke

Braedyn Locke was the newest QB addition and likely the last piece to the intricate signal-caller puzzle. Locke, a redshirt freshman, heads to Madison with four years of remaining eligibility. The gunslinger did not appear in a game at Mississippi State last season, but he has the tools to win the battle to be the fourth QB in the depth chart.

Wisconsin football QB3: Chase Wolf

Wolf announced he would return to UW after the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game. The fifth-year QB led the Badgers to a win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in his first career start. Wolf will be the longest-tenured Badger QB in 2023. His veteran leadership will be necessary with all the new additions heading to Madison soon.

Wisconsin football QB2: Nick Evers

Evers, a former four-star prospect, would be the best option as UW’s backup quarterback. The Oklahoma transfer appeared in one game in 2022 but did not complete a pass. Coming from a loaded Oklahoma QB room, Evers is set to make an immediate impact and become a valuable second option. With the QB ahead of him playing in his last year, Evers could be the starter in 2024 after getting backup experience.

Wisconsin football QB1: Tanner Mordecai

As if it would be anyone else. Mordecai heads to Madison with loads of experience. The former four-star QB spent three years at Oklahoma before transferring to SMU, where he had a productive stint. The new Badgers QB1 finished with 3,524 yards in 2022, coming in at 18th in the nation in passing yards. In his last year of eligibility, Mordecai will look to cap off an excellent college career as the Badgers head signal-caller.

Wisconsin will have a deep room of talent regardless of where these quarterbacks end up on the final depth chart. Spring ball will be interesting as these signal-callers compete for reps. Don’t count out any of these players, as each QB has something that makes them stand out.

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