Michigan football has a phenom quarterback coming in and he’ll get something of a head start. However, the Wolverines have wanted to get a veteran to come in, potentially win the starting job out the gates, and give some form of competition for five-star QB Bryce Underwood.
Well, the maize and blue thought they had their man to compete with the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. However, Monday saw something of a turn of events.
Though he just got his first opportunity to start at the outset of a season, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. ended up hitting the transfer portal on Thursday. And from there, it didn’t take long for him to get predictions indicating he’d end up with the maize and blue, with a visit set for Monday. However, he visited Wisconsin first and never made it to Ann Arbor. Late Monday, he pledged to the Badgers — Luke Fickell’s second QB commit of the day.
BREAKING: WISCONSIN lands fourth commitment of the day, and it’s a big one: QB BILLY EDWARDS Jr.
STORY:https://t.co/auqVmdIOpS
— Nick Osen (@TheRealNickOsen) December 17, 2024
Here is how Edwards ranked as a recruit:
| * | Ovr | Pos | St | |
| 247Sports Composite | 3 | 1589 | 103 | 42 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 3 | 1497 | 99 | 42 |
| 247Sports | 3 | – | 118 | 51 |
| On3 | – | – | – | – |
| ESPN | 3 | – | 69 | 43 |
| Rivals | 3 | – | – | 45 |
This is Edwards’ second transfer as he originally got his start at Wake Forest as part of the 2020 class. He comes from Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock, the same high school as former Michigan tight end Matthew Hibner (who transferred to SMU this offseason), who was there at the same time in the same class.
At Maryland, where he transferred to in 2022, he went 311-for-496 (62.7% completion) for 3,317 yards — 2,881 yards of which came in 2024 — 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also had 144 carries for 377 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns over three seasons.
Michigan will likely see Edwards when Wisconsin comes to The Big House in 2025.