Connect with us

FootBall

Wisconsin Football: Predicting the 2023 QB Depth Chart

Published

on

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.


Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jake Maier on Twitter. @JakeJMaier.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin games for FREE by clicking this link.

*Chat about this article over at Badgers After Dark

FootBall

Wisconsin Football News, Notes from Days Two and Three of Spring Ball

Published

on

Wisconsin Football

The Wisconsin football program has begun its spring practices. After a quick first day last week, the Badgers have completed two practices this week.

Here’s a quick recap of storylines and observations from days two and three of The Launch.

Badger’s safeties stand out on day two of spring practice.

Although other position groups, such as quarterback and wide receivers, have garnered the most attention, UW’s safeties have shown out early in the spring.

The Badgers used a 2-3-6 defense on Tuesday, with Kamo’i Latu, Hunter Wohler, and Travion Blaylock taking the starting reps. The alignment was a change from the first day of spring practice, where UW ran a 2-4-5 defensive package.

BadgersExtra reporter Colten Bartholomew noted Hunter Wohler’s exceptional play on Tuesday, as he intercepted Tanner Mordecai on a short pass over the middle before returning it to the endzone. 

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has stated that he wants to blend his style of defense with the style Wisconsin is used to. In the 2-3-6 defense, the Badgers put a spin on the dime package, which will be something to keep an eye on as Wisconsin figures out its defensive strategy.

Cade Yacamelli stands out as a top RB3 option

Heading into 2023, the Badgers will have their running back duo of Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi returning. As spring practice began, a big question would be who would fill in the third-string running back role. After multiple days of practice, Cade Yacamelli is starting to stand out.

Yacamelli, a redshirt freshman, made the change to offense after spending last season as a safety. It seems to be the right move, as he’s continued to impress early. 

Jackson Acker is another option for the RB3 spot, but it seems that Yacamelli has taken the lead in the position battle. Still, the running back competition will be one to watch as spring ball continues.

Wide receivers are making good impressions early for the Wisconsin football program

After a slew of additions through the transfer portal, the wide receiver corps was a group to watch during spring ball. After days two and three, plenty of pass catchers are making their mark.

Zach Heilprin noted Cincinnati transfer Will Pauling has been impressive early. He has started taking first-team reps and looks like an excellent slot receiver option.

Pauling wasn’t the only receiver who impressed, as Chris Brooks Jr. has started to garner some attention. On day one of practice, Brooks hauled a jump ball on a throw from Nick Evers. Then, on day three, the 6-foot-2, 255-pound receiver hauled in another contested catch to add to his impressive play. 

UW has no shortage of talent at wide receiver. It’s still very early in spring, so other receivers will make their presence known as practices continue. The pass catchers will continue to be a group to watch as we approach the 2023 season.


Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin football news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jake Maier on Twitter. @JakeJMaier.

Continue Reading

FootBall

Wisconsin Football Picks Up Crystal Ball Prediction, In-State Recruit Visiting, More

Published

on

Wisconsin football
Sep 22, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the UTEP Miners at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated UTEP 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Wisconsin football program, ladies and gents, but fear not because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Badgers Hosted Talented In-State OT on Visit 

Wanting to get a closer look at Garret Sexton, a fast-rising 2024 three-star offensive tackle from Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin, Luke Fickell and his coaching staff got him on campus this past weekend. 

This visit was the 6-foot-7, 240-pound offensive tackle’s first known trip to Madison since the Badgers’ loss to Washington State in September under the Paul Chryst regime. 

It’s also worth noting that Sexton is a high school teammate of another 2024 target of Wisconsin, three-star OT Derek Jensen. 

Sexton has only played offensive line for one season but currently holds offers from Tennessee, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Iowa State, Baylor, Illinois, Rutgers, Northwestern, Syracuse, Missouri, Kansas, and a host of other schools.

You can watch his HUDL film here.

Thus far, no official offer has been reported, but the high-upside offensive tackle certainly profiles as someone UW would want to keep in-state. We’ll have to go into wait-and-see mode on Sexton. 

Wisconsin Football Picks Up Crystal Ball for 2024 Recruit

On Tuesday, after an unofficial visit to Madison, 247Sports recruiting insider Evan Flood placed a crystal ball prediction for the Wisconsin football program to land 2024 three-star wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson out of Bolingbrook, Illinois. 

UW offered the nation’s No. 103 WR back in January during his junior day visit, and the relationship has flourished since then. 

Berry-Johnson currently holds offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Houston, Liberty, Syracuse, and Wyoming, plus he’s generating interest from multiple Big Ten schools. 

The Badgers are in a position to be picky about WR offers in 2024, given the recent influx of talent, and it’s clear the staff likes the upside from the 5-foot-10, 160-pound pass catcher. 

No commitment is imminent, as he reportedly intends to take some official visits in June, but Wisconsin is undoubtedly in the driver’s seat. 

Other Wisconsin Football News

Pro Football Focus released its top 10 offensive coordinators list earlier this week, and the Wisconsin football program, which has been atrocious on offense the past couple of seasons, has a representative. 

Luke Fickell was a home-run hire in his own right, but everything started coming together for UW when he brought offensive guru Phil Longo on board after several seasons at North Carolina. 

During Longo’s time at Ole Miss, the Rebels finished 1st in passing yards, 2nd in total offense, 3rd in passer rating, and 5th in scoring offense. His offense also finished 5th nationally in passing yards and total offense. 

At North Carolina, Longo led offenses finished top-3 in the ACC in yards per play in all four seasons. Additionally, UNC finished 1st in the ACC in passing yards, passing touchdowns, passer rating, rushing yards, and total offense. The Tar Heels’ offense also finished 3rd in scoring offense. In short, this man has a track record of success. 

He hopes to work his magic on the Wisconsin Badgers and bring a more modern approach to Madison.


Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to Locked on Badgers on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the only daily Wisconsin Badgers podcast on the internet.

Continue Reading

FootBall

Wisconsin Badgers QB1 Snubbed in Big Ten Quarterback Rankings

Published

on

Wisconsin Badgers QB Tanner Mordecai
Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai throws a pass during first spring football practice of the season on Saturday March 25, 2023 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis. Uw Football Spring Practice 9 March 25 2023

The Wisconsin Badgers QB room received a major shakeup during the offseason. UW has had a complete overhaul, with Graham Mertz hitting the transfer portal to Tanner Mordecai, Nick Evers, and Braedyn Locke all transferring in.

Former SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai will likely be Wisconsin’s QB1 this year, as he took first-team reps at spring practice this weekend. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound signal caller stood out for the Mustangs. In his two years with SMU, Mordecai amassed over 7,000 yards and 72 touchdowns.

That kind of production is hard to ignore, but Mordecai was given a very interesting placement among other Big Ten quarterbacks…

Where does Wisconsin Badgers QB Tanner Mordecai rank among other Big Ten signal callers?

Earlier this week, 247Sports released their Big Ten QB rankings, where Mordecai landed at No. 5. Here’s what 247Sports’ Brad Crawford says about Mordecai and his ranking. 

“There’s a reason Wisconsin is picking up measurable dark-horse buzz in the Big Ten ahead of Luke Fickell’s first season. The Badgers went transfer-heavy in their quarterback room following Graham Mertz’s exit, and Mordecai comes to Madison as a decorated player. Mordecai is fresh off a 2022 campaign where he threw for 33 touchdowns at SMU. In two seasons for the Mustangs, the former Oklahoma signal caller totaled 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions and eclipsed 3,500 passing yards in each campaign. Mordecai had an absurd performance in SMU’s 77-63 win over Houston last fall, throwing for 379 yards and nine scores. He’ll be playing his sixth year of college football in 2023.”

The QBs ranked ahead of Wisconsin Badgers signal caller Tanner Mordecai include Ohio State’s Kyle McCord, Penn State’s Drew Allar, Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa, and Michigan’s JJ McCarthy.

Reaction to Tanner Mordecai’s Ranking

The decision to place Mordecai fifth among Big Ten quarterbacks is a surprise, especially when looking at the signal callers placed ahead of him.

McCord is one of the most surprising. The junior QB did step in for CJ Stroud occasionally over the last two years, as he has amassed 606 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. In fairness, 247Sports did say that his ranking was due to his potential, but ranking the inexperienced QB over a seasoned vet is an interesting choice. 

Allar is another unproven QB who was rated higher than Mordecai. The sophomore signal caller appeared in 10 games for the Nittany Lions and amassed 344 yards passing and four touchdowns. Once again, comparing that to Mordecai’s resume, the ranking seems to be a little high. In defense of the young QB, he is mechanically sound and has a high upside. However, he is unproven, while Mordecai boasts an exceptional record as a starter.

Tagovailoa coming in at second is also a surprise. While he has improved over the last two years, Maryland’s signal caller had a less productive year than his first campaign in 2021. Tagovailoa threw for 3,008 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 2022. Comparing that to Wisconsin football QB1 Tanner Mordecai, it’s surprising that Tagovailoa was ranked higher.

At the end of the day, these rankings mean nothing. However, that doesn’t make the picks less surprising. Mordecai will have a chance to prove himself this year as the Wisconsin Badgers look to climb back into Big Ten title contention. Under a revamped offense, 2023 could be one of the most exciting years yet. 


Contact Info
Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin football news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jake Maier on Twitter. @JakeJMaier.

Continue Reading

Trending