Category: Wisconsin badger

 

A mix of youth and experience will be added to the University of Wisconsin football coaching staff with the hires of three assistant position coaches Thursday.

 

Badgers coach Luke Fickell is adding longtime offensive coach Blake Rolan as an assistant receivers coach, Joe Ludwig as assistant tight ends coach and promoting Tuf Borland to assistant linebackers coach.

 

The additions continue Fickell’s approach since the NCAA lifted the cap on allowed on-field coaches. He told BadgerExtra last summer that having more contact points and coaching for younger players was crucial to hastening their development, something that Fickell believes is essential in the current era of college football in which the trend is players don’t stick around a program long if they’re not playing.

 

“You talk about this in true learning,” Fickell said last summer, “you put all these guys that are not on the same level of learning, whether it’s whatever grade they’re in or not and you put them all in the same classroom, you have to sometimes unfortunately go to slower pace because you’re trying to bring people up to speed.

 

“So, if done the right way, we can separate some of that as you can give a faster progression to the younger guys or the guys that maybe you don’t get as many of the reps, but you also give a greater progression to the older guys because now there can be a greater focus on those guys, especially what we do. If you’re going to really be a developmental program and build those relationships, you don’t want to shortchange your young guys. So, it’s always a little bit of a tougher balance. This, I think, can help us out.”

 

Rolan has been the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois the past six years, but he has experience as an analyst at Kentucky, as a receivers coach at Cincinnati and spent time at Tennessee and Auburn, too. Rolan also served as the OC at Division-II Dixie State (now Utah Tech) in 2018.

 

SIU ranked 50th in the FCS in total offense per game (378.7) and 30th in that subdivision in passing offense (234.6 yards per game) this season. Rolan coached former Wisconsin receiver Keontez Lewis this fall when Lewis had 49 catches, 813 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. Lewis has since transferred to Oklahoma.

 

Rolan worked at Cincinnati before Badgers coach Luke Fickell took over that program in 2017.

 

Wisconsin has been aggressive in adding players from lower levels of college football via the transfer portal. Seven players from the FCS or D-III levels are set to join the Badgers in January.

 

Rolan will team with new receivers coach Jordan Reid and assist new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

 

This will be Ludwig’s second stint living in the Madison area, as he’s the son of former Badgers offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig (2013-14). Joe Ludwig graduated from Middleton High School and walked on to play football at Iowa for three years, but transferred to Utah where he played fullback for his father’s team and graduated in 2021.

 

He was a quality control coach working with inside linebackers for Baylor last season after spending two years as a graduate assistant for Bears coach Dave Aranda, a former Badgers defensive coordinator.

 

He’ll work with Badgers tight ends coach Nate Letton to lead a group that features returning contributors like Tucker Ashcraft and a transfer in Tanner Koziol who was one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the nation last fall.

 

Borland has been on the Badgers staff as a graduate assistant since Fickell took over. He’ll continue to work closely with Badgers defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and the team’s inside linebackers. Borland was a three-time captain for Ohio State from 2016-20, playing for Fickell his first two seasons in college.

 

Adding more assistants is a bit of a departure from how Fickell handled things last year when he brought on three such coaches: assistant offensive line coach Casey Rabach, assistant DBs coach Jack Cooper, who was promoted to safeties coach this offseason, and assistant special teams coordinator Eric Raisbeck.

 

“I’ve always envisioned too many is not always better,” he said. “It’s more about the quality of what it is that you can do, so that’s what we’re trying to find out.”

 

 

David Edwards gallery 1

David Edwards gallery 1

Wisconsin quarterback Bart Houston throws a pass on a 2-point conversion attempt while offensive lineman David Edwards blocks Northwestern’s C.J. Robbins during their 2016 game at Ryan Field Evanston, Ill. M.P. KING, State Journal archives

David Edwards gallery 14

David Edwards gallery 14

Wisconsin right tackle David Edwards looks around during a 2018 game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. NAM Y. HUH, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 13

David Edwards gallery 13

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards blocks Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston as Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook throws a pass during their 2018 game in Iowa City, Iowa. MATTHEW PUTNEY, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 12

David Edwards gallery 12

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards blocks Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston during their 2018 game in Iowa City, Iowa. MATTHEW PUTNEY, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 11

David Edwards gallery 11

Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson works to fend off Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards during their 2018 game in Iowa City, Iowa. MATTHEW PUTNEY, Associated Press

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David Edwards gallery 10

Wisconsin’s David Edwards warms up before facing New Mexico in their 2018 game at Camp Randall. MORRY GASH, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 9

David Edwards gallery 9

Wisconsin’s David Edwards warms up before a 2018 game at Camp Randall. MORRY GASH, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 8

David Edwards gallery 8

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards blocks a Western Kentucky defender during their 2018 game at Camp Randall. ANDY MANIS, Associated Press

David Edwards gallery 7

David Edwards gallery 7

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards cools off between reps during the team’s first fall practice of 2016 at Camp Randall. M.P. KING, State Journal archives

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David Edwards gallery 6

Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook and offensive lineman David Edwards celebrate with fans as they walk off the field after their 2017 win at BYU. M.P. KING, State Journal archives

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David Edwards gallery 5

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards and wide receiver A.J. Taylor celebrate Taylor’s touchdown catch against BYU during their 2017 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. M.P. KING, State Journal archives

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David Edwards gallery 4

Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook, left, walks off the field with offensive lineman David Edwards after their 2017 win over BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. M.P. KING, State Journal archives

David Edwards gallery 3

David Edwards gallery 3

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards answers questions during the 2018 media day at Camp Randall. STEVE APPS, State Journal archives

David Edwards gallery 2

David Edwards gallery 2

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor celebrates a touchdown with linemen David Edwards and Tyler Biadasz during their 2018 game against New Mexico at Camp Randall. STEVE APPS, State Journal archives

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David Edwards gallery 17

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill during the 2019 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. DARRON CUMMINGS, Associated Press

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David Edwards gallery 16

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. MICHAEL CONROY, Associated Press

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David Edwards gallery 15

Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill at the 2019 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. MICHAEL CONROY, Associated Press

 

; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the South Dakota Coyotes at Camp Randall Stadium.

 

The Wisconsin Badgers football team was dealt yet another transfer blow on Wednesday afternoon. Tyler Van Dyke, the Badgers’ starting quarterback for three games in 2024, has committed to play for the SMU Mustangs in the 2025 season. Van Dyke’s agent, Shawn O’Dare of Rosenhaus Sports, made the announcement to CBS Sports and 247 Sports.

 

Van Dyke, in his lone season with the Badgers, went 2-0 over his two full games as a starter before tearing his ACL in the first quarter of Wisconsin’s 42-10 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Van Dyke completed 63.2% of his passes for the Badgers, throwing 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. He also ran for 26 yards and a touchdown before his injury. Braedyn Locke replaced Van Dyke as the starter for the remainder of the season, leading the Badgers to a 5-7 record.

 

Van Dyke’s move to SMU is a return to the ACC for the quarterback. He spent the first four years of his collegiate career with the Miami Hurricanes. After redshirting his freshman year, Van Dyke started 29 games for the Miami Hurricanes, going 15-14 and throwing for 7,469 yards, 55 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. The 2025 season will be Van Dyke’s final year of collegiate eligibility.

 

Van Dyke is expected to serve as a backup to incumbent SMU Mustangs starter Kevin Jennings, who led the Mustangs to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

 

Transfer Portal Exodus

Tyler Van Dyke’s move is yet another in long line of transfer portal losses suffered by the Badgers this winter. 25 members of the 2024 Wisconsin Badgers football team have announced their intentions to transfer, with 17 of them already landing on new teams.

 

Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18)

Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) throws a pass during the first quarter of their game at Camp Randall Stadium Friday, November 29, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. Minnesota beat Wisconsin 24-7.

Among the Badgers’ 2025 exodus were Van Dyke’s post-injury replacement Braedyn Locke, now on his way to the Arizona Wildcats, and 2024 recruit Mabrey Metteauer, who recently announced his commitment to the Sam Houston Wildkats. With Van Dyke joining the rank of exiting quarterbacks, the Badgers only have one quarterback from the 2024 roster committed to play for them in 2025, walk-on Milos Spasojevic.

 

Wisconsin Badgers Football 2025 Outlook

After a disappointing 2024 season, where the Badgers finished 3-6 in Big Ten play and missed out on a bowl invitation for the first time since 2021, head coach Luke Fickell and the team are looking ahead to 2025. After replacing offensive coordinator Phil Longo with former Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, the team turned to the transfer portal to find their starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

 

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talk before a game at Memorial Stadium.

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talk before a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Two quarterbacks have joined the Badgers through the portal. Danny O’Neil committed to play with the Badgers on December 16. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, O’Neil spent 2024 with the San Diego State Aztecs, where he started 11 games and threw for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Aztecs went 3-8 with O’Neil as the starter.

 

Billy Edwards Jr. will also join the Badgers by way of the Maryland Terrapins. After a redshirted 2021 season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Edwards spent three years with the Terrapins. Earning the starting gig for 2024, Edwards went 4-7 as the starter, amassing 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns. Edwards Jr is expected to compete with O’Neil for the starting job this fall.

 

One more quarterback will join the team from the incoming class of 2025 as well. Carter Smith, a four-star recruit and ESPN’s 157th-ranked prospect, signed his letter of intent on December 4.

 

For more Wisconsin Badger football and other sports content, follow me on Bluesky @rossbembenek.bsky.social. You can also find my writings on college basketball on Hardwood Heroics. For the latest news and updates on all things Wisconsin sports, head over to Wisconsin Sports Heroics here!

 

 

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is escorted by a member of the training staff during the fourth quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is escorted by a member of the training staff during the fourth quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/

Wisconsin football has been at the center of one of the most mysterious and complicated stories in this year’s transfer portal news. It all started with cornerback Xavier Lucas declaring his intent to transfer, but nothing happened. He wasn’t in the portal, and the news went quiet, and then he tweeted that Wisconsin was blocking him. Of course, Luke Fickell was bashed and blamed for the drama after Lucas spoke out. It was a mess. There hasn’t been any resolution since, and that was about a week ago.

 

Now it appears there might be some resolution for Wisconsin and Lucas.

 

24/7 Sports has put Xavier Lucas into the transfer portal. Does that mean resolution has happened or is about to happen?

Lucas hasn’t tweeted anything since his tweet on December 27th, saying Wisconsin was blocking him. The Badgers also haven’t officially said anything about the drama and the accusations, but 24/7 has now put him in the portal, and the expectation is that he will transfer to Miami.

 

The latest rumors are that the NCAA stepped in and superseded Wisconsin’s blocking of Lucas; however, nothing has been reported yet. Eventually, Lucas would have to be let walk away; there was no great answer for blocking him long-term. This is the sort of drama that doesn’t solve itself at the current institution.

 

Why were Fickell and Wisconsin blocking? Well, it appears, based on comments from Fickell after this drama was first revealed, that he is frustrated with tampering. Fickell called out other coaches and programs for recruiting his players, and he thinks the tampering of players has gotten out of control. That players can be recruited into the portal and then out of the portal while they are still actively playing for Wisconsin. This is a problem throughout college football, and it doesn’t seem like there is an easy or quick answer on the horizon.

 

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