Wisconsin Spring Practice Features Unexpected QB Drama

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Wisconsin continues to battle it out at the QB position in spring practice.

Former Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin, and the belief from fans and analysts has been from the jump that the QB1 job would be his.

After all, big name QBs with his experience don't transfer to sit on the bench. However, clearly taking the QB job is not what has worked out so far.

Sophomore Braedyn Locke took a lot of QB1 reps when spring practice opened, and the situation is still split as of the last practice Tuesday, according to Zach Heilprin.

It appears nothing will be handed to Van Dyke. A true competition is underway.

Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke are battling it out for the QB1 role.

It's never surprising when a coach comes out and says there will be a competition at QB when a new guy arrives, but few people actually believe it. Fans always expect a major transfer to play.

It seems like Luke Fickell is intent on making sure Tyler Van Dyke earns it after Locke earned a few starts last season when Tanner Mordecai went down.

As for their resumes, the numbers aren't really comparable at all:

  • 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.

If Fickell was just going off the numbers, Van Dyke would be getting all the QB1 reps. Yet, he's at best just splitting them so far.

It's certainly an interesting development fans wouldn't have expected when Van Dyke's addition was announced.

Will Tyler Van Dyke start at QB for the Wisconsin Badgers. (Credit: Journal Sentinel via USA Today Sports Network)

 Now, there's still plenty of time to go, and we all know the situation remains fluid. Fans should embrace the carnage of a great QB battle, which is what appears to be unfolding in Madison. Are you a Wisconsin fan like myself? Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.