After struggling with production out of the quarterback room, the Wisconsin Badgers added three seasoned veterans to the room to improve.
Transfers Billy Edwards Jr., Danny O’Neil, and Hunter Simmons have played in 48 games combined along with a handful of starts. Edwards Jr. was the former starter for Maryland and transferred into the Badgers program as the future starter. O’Neil and Simmons, on the other hand, were brought in to avoid a repeat of the past two seasons.
The last two years, the Wisconsin Badgers brought in transfer quarterbacks in an effort to boost the production the room has seen. However, the Badgers did not bring in any proven backups with starting experience or enough development to jump into play if needed. With plenty of experience now in the room, the Wisconsin Badgers have begun to focus on key aspects of play where the staff felt the team lacked a season ago.
Wisconsin Badgers Pushing Urgency, Accuracy at Quarterback During Upcoming Season
There is no doubt that Wisconsin has had limited production out of the position the past two seasons, and the staff believes that two factors must be improved: urgency and accuracy of the room. A season ago, the Badgers made numerous mistakes when trying to force plays instead of taking what is being given. Moving forward, however, the staff aims to cut down on such mistakes and ensure the right decisions are consistently being made.
Being accurate may seem like something that should be obvious, but working on accuracy is never going to be a bad thing for a program. Previous backup turned starter Braeden Locke recorded a completion percentage of 55.4% which sank the Wisconsin offense like an anchor. Locke struggled, and now hopes to find more success with Arizona, while the Wisconsin Badgers aim to greatly improve the overall accuracy of each quarterback.
Billy Edwards Jr. recorded a completion percentage of 65% last season with Maryland while Danny O’Neil recorded a percentage of 63.3% for San Diego State.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In addition to creating a more accurate quarterback room, the Wisconsin Badgers staff has also placed a premium on being urgent. Wisconsin had one of the better offensive line units in the Big Ten Conference a season ago but Locke was still sacked ten times and delivered ten interceptions as well. With virtually not running ability either, Locke was often a sitting target when his top receiving options were covered downfield.
The Wisconsin Badgers have deduced that one of the easiest ways to improve in each area is to focus on being urgent and precise. Locke struggled to step-up in the pocket when needed and did not have the speed or internal clock to escape the pocket when no one is open.
Enter Edwards Jr. and O’Neil, and the Wisconsin Badgers feel the quarterback room will be able to move at a much faster pace. Edwards Jr. has recorded his share of interceptions, but often saw picks occur when trying to force a big play rather than launching the ball in an effort to avoid a sack. O’Neil on the other hand is an elusive quarterback with a developing internal clock who could be a weapon with his legs once fully developed by the Wisconsin Badgers.
Wisconsin hopes early practice reps and development will pay off with freshman quarterback Carter Smith as well. The Badgers have already focused on working with Smith on getting the ball out of his hands quickly.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter (X) @JarrettGuerrera, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all things Wisconsin sports, click here
