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Wisconsin Football Eying Several High-Profile Transfer Portal Quarterbacks

By Dillon Graff

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell watches defensive end Tommy Brunner go though a drill during the team's first spring practice on Saturday March 25, 2023 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis.Uw Football Spring Practice 5 March 25 2023
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell watches defensive end Tommy Brunner go though a drill during the team's first spring practice on Saturday March 25, 2023 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis.Uw Football Spring Practice 5 March 25 2023 /
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It would be putting it mildly to say that things didn’t go as planned for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Football program in his inaugural season with the Badgers, at least relative to preseason expectations.

Although the Badgers will play on a New Year’s Day in the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU, the Wisconsin Badgers finished with a 7-5 overall record and went 5-4 in Big Ten play. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that Wisconsin did overcome adversity to end the season on a high note, winning important trophy games against Nebraska and Minnesota to reclaim the Axe.

But with conference expansion looming and a gauntlet of a 2024 schedule on the horizon, the Badgers are expected to be heavy players in the offseason transfer portal market at quarterback — and have already been linked to several high-profile signal callers thus far.

While Wisconsin football has several intriguing young talents waiting in the wings of its quarterback room in Braedyn Locke, Nick Evers, and composite four-star Mabrey Mettauer, set to enroll early, it’s clear the Badgers intend to explore all options to elevate that group with a veteran.

Let’s explore the options linked to the Badgers, who are seeking an experienced QB1 to plug into the lineup for the upcoming season.

Cam Ward, Washington State Transfer QB

After winning the FCS Heisman Trophy at Incarnate Word, quarterback Cam Ward has spent the past two seasons playing for Washington State.

The 6-foot-2, 233-pound QB threw for 3,736 yards with 25 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions on 7.7 YPA this past season. Ward also added 144 yards rushing and eight more scores on the ground.

He has all the physical tools you could ask for at QB and has shown signs of rapid development, making him arguably the most sought-after signal caller in the transfer portal. This makes sense because his skill set is an ideal pairing for seemingly any offense in the country.

On3 reported that Wisconsin football was one of the programs vying to bring Ward in for an official visit — although that list also included teams like Miami, USC, Florida State, Washington, and Nebraska.

The Badgers landing Ward seems like the least likely landing spot right now, but Phil Longo’s offensive (historically) produces gaudy numbers, which could potentially get Wisconsin a seat at the table. I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one, but you love seeing UW being aggressive.

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