Wisconsin starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s recent ACL injury has prompted Badger faithful to question the readiness of UW’s quarterback room for the remainder of the season.
Following Van Dyke’s injury, Wisconsin turned to redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke to captain the offense. He did so for the remaining three-quarters of what became a blowout loss to Alabama and will continue to do so for the remainder of the season.
Locke finished Saturday’s nationally-televised bout with 13 pass completions for 125 yards and a touchdown. For now, Fickell will continue to place his trust in Locke. Regardless, some fans have wondered where those in Wisconsin’s 2023 quarterback room have gone.
One of those players is Myles Burkett. Following a 2023 campaign in which he didn’t see any action, the Franklin, Wisconsin native transferred to Albany for a new opportunity.
Through three games as the Great Danes’ starter, Burkett has totaled 53 completions, 761 passing yards and three touchdowns. In his most recent game vs. Idaho, he completed over 60% of his throws for 290 passing yards.
The former Badger has performed well overall during Albany’s 1-2 start to the season.
As we head into a weekend of competition, let’s take a look back at last week and honor our UAlbany Student-Athletes of the Week!
Round of applause for Kendall Harris (@UAlbanyVB) and Myles Burkett (@UAlbanyFootball) ‼️🙌
More info ➡️ https://t.co/w0vvuW1EVc#UAUKNOW pic.twitter.com/F28evl9CMM
— UAlbany Sports (@UAlbanySports) September 12, 2024
Burkett played in two games for the Badgers in 2022. Most of his playing time came in a blowout win against New Mexico State on Sept. 17.
Locke, meanwhile, started three games in 2023 after former quarterback Tanner Mordecai went down with an injury. He led the Badgers to a fourth-quarter comeback victory against Illinois on Oct. 21 and became the first Wisconsin freshman quarterback to notch a pair of 240+ yard passing performances in a season.
Clearly, there’s a difference in talent between the two players. Burkett now plays at the FCS level, and Locke has received plenty of snaps at the Big Ten level. Still, fans seem discouraged by his lack of consistency in limited action against the Crimson Tide.
The redshirt sophomore will certainly earn his stripes if he performs well for the rest of the season. The Badgers square off against No. 11 USC, Rutgers, No. 10 Penn State, Iowa, No. 9 Oregon and No. 22 Nebraska in seven of their final nine games of the season.