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Wisconsin Football Spring Practice Stock Report: Quarterbacks

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3 weeks ago

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Tanner Mordecai, Starting Quarterback for Wisconsin Football
Apr 11, 2023; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Madison, Wis. — With spring practice in the books, fans and the media were able to get an extended look at how the Wisconsin football program will operate with new head coach Luke Fickell steering the ship. 

Now that we’ve got 15 practices worth of reporting and film from The Launch to assess, it’s time to evaluate each position group heading into the summer. 

First up in our position-by-position stock up, stock down series is Phil Longo’s quarterback room.

Stock Up: Tanner Mordecai 

Forget what happened at The Launch; the reports on Tanner Mordecai this spring were consistently good and shouldn’t be discounted because of one bad practice. 

This is an experienced quarterback that Wisconsin football landed in the portal. He threw for 7,152 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions while completing 66.4% of his passes in two seasons as a starter at SMU.

Mordecai gives the Badgers a signal caller capable of going out and winning them games, not just a game manager you hope doesn’t lose you one.  

Stock Up: Braedyn Locke 

Braedyn Locke was perhaps the forgotten man in Wisconsin’s transfer portal haul at quarterback. However, you’d be hard-pressed to argue anyone improved their stock more at spring practice (other than Marshall Howe) than the Mississippi State transfer. 

“He [Locke] is the model of consistency, and he’s gotten better with each practice,” Longo told reporters. “He and Tanner probably have the best overall understanding of the offense and just the game of football in general. 

As a result of that consistency, the 6-foot-1 signal-caller ran the second-team offense all spring. Because of Locke’s accuracy, decision-making, and overall confidence on the field, the QB2 spot is his by a wide margin. 

Stock Down: Nick Evers 

When Nick Evers transferred to the Wisconsin football program from Oklahoma, it set off a chain reaction of impact quarterbacks coming to Madison. His particular addition injected life into the fanbase because he was considered a blue-chip prospect in the 2022 recruiting class that UW could groom into becoming their starting QB for years to come.  

But his playbook knowledge prevented him from earning meaningful reps during this spring’s installation phase. 

“What he’s working on right now…is getting to a point where he understands what’s going on out there in the passing game from a protection standpoint,” Longo told UW reporters. 

Evers’ talent is through the roof, no question about it. And the book is far from written on the former four-star QB but repping behind a walk-on can only lead to a stock down for me. 

The 6-foot-3 QB is still my favorite talent in the room, and he can make up plenty of ground between now and the start of fall camp. 

Other Wisconsin Football QBs 

I’d like to kick this off by commending in-state product Myles Burkett for sticking it out and choosing to compete. I think that speaks volumes about his character and his work ethic.

However, he’s roughly in the same spot Nick Evers found himself in this spring. Burkett took the occasional reps with the third team during practice but never broke through in the eyes of the new coaching staff.

Additionally, he’s not one of “Luke Fickell’s guys.” So Burkett is a stock down for me but is someone I’ll be rooting for regardless of the outcome.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention walk-on Marshall Howe improved his stock so much, rising to QB3 this spring, that he had no choice but to enter the transfer portal in pursuit of a scholarship he’s rightfully earned.

Lastly, true freshman Cole LaCrue enrolled early but missed spring practice due to an injury, although he wouldn’t likely have earned reps anyway. So his stock is unchanged.

Wisconsin Football: Badgers Way Too Early 2024 NFL Draft Predictions

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.

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FootBall

This Wisconsin Football Player Could Break School Records in 2023

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2 hours ago

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May 28, 2023

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Wisconsin football stadium: Camp Randall
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations for the Wisconsin football program are sky-high entering the 2023 season. Part of that is Luke Fickell taking over as head coach, and another part is Phil Longo joining his staff and implementing his air raid offensive attack, bringing the Badgers into the 21st century.

And while that’s all well and good, Wisconsin needed someone capable of elevating the quarterback room to take the next step offensively. So the coaching staff went portaling this offseason and came out with a proven option to lead the charge.

That player is Tanner Mordecai, who is a quarterback to watch out for in the upcoming college football season. The former SMU quarterback transferred to the Wisconsin football program and is expected to make a significant impact in Phil Longo’s air raid passing attack.

In two seasons starting at SMU, Mordecai threw for 7,152 yards, 72 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and had a 66.4% completion percentage. Mordecai’s arm talent and experience, coupled with the new offensive system, could lead him to break several passing records in his lone season in Madison.

Tanner Mordecai Could Re-Write the Badgers History Books 

Mordecai was a highly recruited quarterback out of high school, and he chose to attend the University of Oklahoma. He redshirted his freshman year and then served as a backup quarterback for two seasons behind Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. He later transferred to SMU, where he went crazy and put himself on the NFL’s radar.

Mordecai’s transfer to Wisconsin has generated a lot of excitement among Badgers fans. The team has long been known for its strong running game, but with Mordecai at the helm, they could have a potent passing attack as well.

Phil Longo, the Badgers new offensive coordinator, is known for his air raid offense, which relies heavily on the passing game. This could be a perfect fit for Mordecai, who has shown that he can make accurate throws and read defenses well.

If the 6-foot-3, 214-pound signal-caller can replicate his performances from the past two seasons or even come close; he has a chance to break several long-standing passing records at Wisconsin.

The school’s single-season passing record is 3,175 yards, set by Russell Wilson in 2011 (the only Wisconsin football quarterback to eclipse 3k). Under coach Longo, his starting QBs have a five-year average of 3,704 passing yards per season. Also, consider that Mordecai threw for over 3,500 yards in the past two seasons.

Mordecai’s impressive arm strength, plentiful opportunities, and accuracy could help him surpass that mark. Of course, there will be challenges for the Texas native as he adjusts to a new offense and a new team.

Wisconsin Football is in Good Hands 

The Big Ten is known for its physical, hard-hitting defenses, and Mordecai will likely face some tough tests on the field. However, he has shown the talent and the drive to succeed at the highest level of college football.

Overall, Tanner Mordecai is a quarterback to watch in the upcoming season. His transfer to the Wisconsin football program has generated a lot of excitement, and if he can replicate his performances from the past two seasons, he could break the single-season passing record.

With Phil Longo’s air raid offense and Mordecai’s impressive arm talent, the Badgers could have one of the most potent passing attacks in the Big Ten if everything breaks right. 

Why Wisconsin Football is the Most Underrated Program in the Country

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. 

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

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

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Wisconsin Football Attempting to Flip ACC Commit, Recruiting Updates, More

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1 day ago

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May 27, 2023

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Wisconsin badgers football
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader carries the Wisconsin flag following a score during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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

Wisconsin Badgers Trying to Flip a Defensive Line Commit 

Defensive line coach Greg Scruggs and the Wisconsin football program recently offered 2024 Pittsburgh commit Francis Brewu out of Columbus, Ohio, who committed to the Panthers in March.

According to the industry-generated composite rankings, he’s the No. 88 DL in the country and the No. 39 player in Ohio.

Brewu, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound three-star defensive lineman, registered 25 tackles and 12.5 sacks for Thomas Worthington High School as a junior.

It’s unknown whether or not Wisconsin has a real chance to flip the ACC commit, but from what I’m hearing, the Badgers coaching staff is trying to get him on campus for an official visit in June.

Wisconsin Football Makes the Cut for 2024 Offensive Tackle 

Wisconsin football currently holds just one offensive line commit in the 2024 recruiting cycle: four-star OT Derek Jensen, who pledged to the Badgers in April. However, they still need several more bodies at the position and made the cut for one of their top remaining targets.

Three-star offensive tackle Ronan O’Connell announced his top three schools: Clemson, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, O’Connell is the No. 39 OT in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 13 player in Tennessee.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Tennessee native probably projects best at guard in college and has an official visit on the books to visit Madison on June 9.

Other Wisconsin Football News

After Wisconsin football coaches flew out to Maryland to watch 2024 cornerback Lloyd Irvin workout in person, the coaching staff extended him a scholarship offer, and he wasted no time repaying the favor, scheduling an official visit to Madison shortly after that.

Irvin, a 6-foot-3 unranked cornerback prospect who holds offers from Michigan, Maryland, Boston College, Michigan State, West Virginia, and several others, will be on campus for an official visit the weekend of June 9-11.

“They’re a big contender,” Irvin said. “This coaching staff at Wisconsin has experience getting long cornerbacks into the league and helping them develop.”

Although he’s not currently ranked in the industry-generated recruiting rankings, some major schools are involved or circling, so this could be a sneaky talent worth locking down to develop.

It would be an understatement to say that the Badgers’ defensive coaching staff has a type with their defensive backs. If you don’t have plus size and length, you can forget about getting an offer from Wisconsin at this point.

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.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

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.

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FootBall

Where Former Wisconsin Football Transfers Landed This Offseason

Published

2 days ago

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May 26, 2023

By

Wisconsin Football RB Julius Davis
Sep 17, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Julius Davis (32) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the New Mexico State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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The transfer portal has become an increasingly popular route for college players to find new opportunities and see if the grass is, in fact, greener on the other side. And just like every other school, Wisconsin football lost its fair share of players during the coaching transition from Paul Chryst to Luke Fickell.

Several former Badgers have entered the portal this off-season in search of a better system fit, more playing time, or potential NIL opportunities on the open market.

After recently taking a look at where former Wisconsin coaches found new homes, I figured it might be worthwhile to see where the Badgers who entered the transfer portal will play in 2023, starting with the defense.

Cornerback, Avyonne Jones –> Coastal Carolina 

Former Wisconsin Football Cornerback, Al Ashford –> Utah State

Former Wisconsin Football Safety, Titus Toler –> Boise State

Linebacker, Spencer Lytle –> Stanford

Defensive End, Tristan Monday –> Arizona State

Cornerback, Semar Melvin –> Michigan State

And now, a look at where the former Wisconsin football offensive players found homes in the transfer portal…

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