Wisconsin Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

Quarterback Alex Hornibrook split time with fifth year senior Bart Houston last season. Now that Houston is gone and Hornibrook is the only quarterback left on the roster with experience, it’s his time. He has the potential to make a big leap this year.

Hornibrook got his first start last year in Week 3 versus Georgia State and spent the last half of the season splitting time with Houston. His stat line looks mediocre with a 58.6 completion percentage with 1,262 yards thrown, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.

If you look at the opponents though, you can see the reason for the stats. The Badgers played Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska in consecutive weeks and three of his seven interceptions were against the Wolverines.

Now that he won’t be splitting time on the field and he’s had an entire off-season knowing he would be the starter, Hornibrook should be able to make a big leap this year. It’s his offense now to command.

Next: College Football: Top 50 players for 2017

With confidence will come more consistency in the passing game. If he can cut down on the turnovers this year and develop better chemistry with his receivers, he could lead Wisconsin to big things including another shot at a Big Ten championship.