Luke Fickell Shares Interesting Update As Wisconsin QB Battle Rages

It sounds like Luke Fickell is more than happy to take his time deciding Wisconsin's QB battle.

Badgers fans are breaking down updates on the battle between redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke and redshirt senior Tyler Van Dyke like it's the Zapruder film.

Van Dyke, who transferred to Madison from Miami, was viewed by many as the day one starter for the Badgers given his experience. However, spring practice updates paint a different picture.

Locke is putting up a hell of a fight to be QB1 after starting three games and making five appearances in 2023. Now, Fickell is making it clear he's willing to slow roll the situation.

Will Tyler Van Dyke start at QB for the Wisconsin Badgers? (Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Luke Fickell addresses Wisconsin QB battle.

The Wisconsin coach said the following after that team's Tuesday practice, in video shared by Kenosha News:

"Tyler, obviously, this is all new. For him to be where he's at right now, I think we're in a really good place. He's in a really good place. The good thing about it is Braedyn isn't making it easy on him because he does know the offense extremely well. He's playing really consistent and he's making some plays. The best thing for us is to have a legitimate competitive battle. Some would say it's better if you can name a starter at whatever position, particularly the quarterback. But, I think it's much better if you can continue to have a competitive battle because you're going to find out what you got. Because, probably like last year, you're going to need them both."

Braedyn Locke is fighting hard to start at QB for the Wisconsin Badgers. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

As I've pointed out before, the stats aren't even comparable. The fact Locke is making this a serious battle is a testament to the young man's skills and grit.

Below are their numbers going into the 2024 season:

• Tyler Van Dyke: 7,469 passing yards, 54 passing touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 32 appearances.
• Braedyn Locke: 777 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and one interception in 5 appearances.

Practice reports over the past few weeks indicate Van Dyke started slow before finding his footing with a new offense. Locke has been steady, consistent and out-performed the redshirt senior many days.

However, judging from Fickell's comments above, it sounds like Van Dyke is finally starting to make up ground, and as the Badgers coach indicated, there's no rush to name a starting QB.

It's better to have a great competition where the better man wins. Iron sharpens iron.

Who will Luke Fickell name Wisconsin's starting QB? (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Last week, I thought Locke had a *VERY* slight edge in the race to be QB1 for Wisconsin. Now, I'd say it's equal. Plenty of time before the opener against Western Michigan. Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com who you think will start for the Badgers.