ESPN recently released their pick for the most “unheralded star” on each top 25 team as we enter the 2020 season. For Wisconsin, the answer presents some interesting questions. ESPN chose Wisconsin QB Jack Coan as the most “unheralded star” on the Badgers. Here is what the network had to say about their choice:
“It’s pretty hard for a quarterback to become an “unheralded” star, but Coan qualifies. He beat out star freshman Graham Mertz for the starting job last year, then went out threw for 2,727 yards and finished ninth in Total QBR. Coan struggled in the Rose Bowl, but he was downright good for much of the season and still had fewer all-conference votes than Shea Patterson (32nd in QBR). Coan will have to find a new go-to guy, however, now that Quintez Cephus is a Detroit Lion.”
If you have been reading our BadgersWire takes on the Wisconsin QB, you will know that we are extremely high on him at this website. I actually think the designation as an “unheralded star” is a fair one for Coan. We are talking about a player who showed up in a major way against Minnesota on the road, and yet was never the one to receive the credit when things went well in 2019. Instead, it seemed he was easy to blame when things went wrong for the Badgers. His stats tell the story that maybe he is a star for this team. Coan finished ninth in Total QBR, ahead of Jake Fromm, Justin Herbert, Sean Clifford, and other QB’s who receive considerably more hype than Coan.
Wisconsin has a QB under center who gives them a chance to win in 2020.