Tag: Billy Edwards

Wisconsin offensive coordinator has high praise for transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

Wisconsin offensive coordinator has high praise for transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes called Billy Edwards Jr. ‘one of the top two or three’ transfer quarterbacks in the country in a recent Q&A with Matt Lepay and VC Connect.

“I love this kid,” Grimes said in a video clip posted on X. “We looked at a bunch of quarterbacks in the portal. And from the beginning, Billy was one of the top two or three guys in the country, in my estimation.”

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

Edwards committed to the Badgers on Dec. 16, just four days after initially entering the portal. 247Sports lists the former Maryland starter as a three-star transfer recruit, ranked as the No. 284 overall player in the portal and No. 27 quarterback.

Grimes is much higher on the Badgers’ new signal-caller than the broader consensus. He expanded on some of the reasons for that high evaluation.

“There were a lot of guys that some experts may have had rated higher. But I thought his combination of size, arm talent, intelligence, decision-making and athletic ability, combined with personality, toughness, energy that you can tell from watching the film. All of those things were important to me.”

Here is the full clip, courtesy of VC Connect:

Edwards is set to start for the Badgers in 2025 after one year as Maryland’s full-time starter. The veteran completed 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024 for the Terrapins. Those numbers include the context of Maryland finishing second-to-last in the conference (4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten). Edwards wasn’t surrounded by much talent or production on his side of the football, especially along the offensive line.

The Virginia native figures to be a near-perfect fit in Grimes’ pro-style offense. He’ll be aided by a terrific offensive line unit, talented running back room and strong wide receiving corps. Those convergent factors should lead to career numbers from the senior quarterback. He won’t have much trouble delivering Wisconsin’s best season from the position since 2019 (Jack Coan).

247Sports transfer quarterback rankings were led by Carson Beck (Georgia to Miami), John Mateer (Washington State to Oklahoma), Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State to Mississippi State), Fernando Mendoza (Cal to Indiana) and Jaron Kaewe Sagapolutele (Oregon to Cal).

According to Grimes, Edwards could surpass most of them.

Wisconsin fans know the first step toward that reality is Edwards staying healthy through an entire season. The team’s high-profile veteran transfer additions have combined to play just 13 combined games over the last two seasons — 10 from Tanner Mordecai in 2023 and three from Tyler Van Dyke in 2024. That dynamic hurt Phil Longo’s air raid attack.

Grimes will need better luck in that regard has he works to return the program to its classic pro-style roots.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

The word ‘unstable’ could be used to describe Wisconsin’s quarterback situation over the last three seasons.

Graham Mertz led the team in 2022. Tanner Mordecai and Braedyn Locke then split the duties in 2023, Locke seeing extended time after Mordecai broke his hand in October. Tyler Van Dyke transferred in to start in 2024, but he played in just two-plus games before a season-ending injury handed the job to Locke for the remainder of the season.

Related: A look at Wisconsin football’s full coaching staff for the 2025 season

Now, Wisconsin is set to enter the 2025 season with its fourth starting quarterback in as many seasons. That will be Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., a top transfer recruit who joined the Badgers last month during the winter window.

Edwards committed to the program on Dec. 16, just eight days following Wisconsin’s hire of new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. An overhaul in the room was task No. 1 for Grimes after every Phil Longo-era quarterback either transferred out or decommitted.

Grimes met with the media on Tuesday and discussed what he saw from Edwards during his time as Maryland’s starter. One common theme: size, athleticism and playmaking ability.

“Billy Edwards is obviously somebody we’re expecting big things from,” Grimes began. “There were a number of things that impressed me with his film…I thought he had arm talent. I thought he had good athletic ability. I like his size…It was a combination of all those things at first. And then as I got to know him, I recognize that he’s got all the intangibles that you’d look for. He’s smart, he’s competitive. And he’s really driven to be great. We’re beginning to see his leadership skills emerge already.”

Edwards, listed at 6’4”, 220 pounds, excelled as Maryland’s starting quarterback in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Terrapins finished the season with ESPN SP+’s No. 97-ranked offense. That wasn’t due to any struggles under center — Edwards was arguably the unit’s single bright spot.

Grimes emphasized the veteran’s ability to excel in those adverse circumstances, specifically behind one of the worst offensive lines in the conference.

“I saw [on film] a guy that had toughness, that was able to stand in there and take a lot of hits,” Grimes continued. “And not [have them] impact how he played the game. Threw a lot of balls with people right in his face as he’s letting it go. A lot of times he had to short-arm the ball because he couldn’t even step up throw the way that he would like to. None of that impacted him. None of the hits, playing that position you’re going to get banged up probably. None of that seemed to impact how he played the game.”

Edwards figures to fit well as the leader of Grimes’ offensive scheme in its first year with the program, a scheme that will return the Badgers closer to their pro-style roots. The strength of that unit projects to be the offensive line and running game. Given Grimes’ sentiment, more stability should only help the veteran succeed.

New quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton echoed some of Grimes’ comments. While he was asked what Wisconsin’s trio of scholarship quarterbacks in Edwards, Danny O’Neil and Carter Smith bring to the room, he focused on more than just the on-schedule play-call.

“These guys bring a certain level of athleticism to the quarterback room. I think they all have a chance to do different things with their legs, not 50-yard runs, but creating that second play,” Guiton said. “They all have the athleticism to be able to work a pocket and really give our guys chances to create that second level of, you know, kind of playing around, backyard football. We watch Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, a lot of their stuff is off-schedule. A lot of stuff in the NFL is off-schedule. I’m not saying we’re at the NFL level, but you have to be able to do that when maybe the defense has won on the line and with what they’re calling. You have to have a guy back there that can be an eraser. I do see that in all three.”

Guiton, Wisconsin’s wide receivers coach last season, was moved to quarterbacks coach after Grimes’ hire. The move was made after Edwards and O’Neil each transferred in. While the new position coach didn’t lead the charge in recruiting the two transfers, his eye is now trained on their offseason development.

The Badgers take the field for spring practice in the coming months. That time will see a first official glimpse at Edwards under center, as well as Grimes’ new offensive scheme. It’s reasonable to have high expectations for what the two can bring to the field next fall. After all, Wisconsin won’t need much from Edwards to get its best quarterback season since 2022, if not longer.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Report: Wisconsin lands visit with top transfer quarterback, former Big Ten starter

Report: Wisconsin lands visit with top transfer quarterback, former Big Ten starter

Wisconsin is expected to host Maryland transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. on a visit, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer.

Edwards Jr. is the third high-profile quarterback linked to the Badgers, joining former Cal QB Fernando Mendoza and San Diego State’s Danny O’Neil.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

The former Maryland Terrapin entered the portal this week after three years (2022-24) with the program. He began his college career with a redshirt season at Wake Forest (2021).

The redshirt junior had a fantastic 2024 as Maryland’s starting quarterback. Despite the Terps’ significant struggles along the offensive line, Edwards Jr. completed 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His 420 pass attempts were the most in the Big Ten, partially due to needing to lead Maryland back after facing big deficits.

He’s in the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. Hummer also reports that Michigan is expected to show interest.

The former Maryland starter resents an intriguing option for the Badgers. He should excel in a better offensive system with strong line play — which Wisconsin is expected to have. While Edwards Jr. only has one year remaining, which would lead to the Badgers having yet another new starter in 2026, his proven experience at the Big Ten level make him a strong option to lead the first year of Jeff Grimes’ offense with the program.

Wisconsin needs an established player at the position. After a terrific 2024, Edwards Jr. boasts better proven experience than almost every other option in the portal.

For more on the Badgers’ quarterback pursuits, and general portal recruiting, bookmark our offer and visit tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Previewing the Maryland offense before Saturday’s game at Autzen

Maryland’s offense has the capability to keep up with the No. 1 Ducks in Saturday’s game at Autzen Stadium.

Coming into this season, the Maryland Terrapins football team really didn’t know what they would get out of quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. He had never been a full-time starter before this season and the Terrapins were hoping for the best.

They haven’t been disappointed.

Edwards has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten Conference. He has a 68 completion percentage and 13 touchdowns to go with 289 yards per contest. But the inexperience crops up occasionally, and that’s where the six interceptions pop up.

When Edwards is putting the ball in the air, the probable target most likely is Tai Felton. The 6-foot-2 senior leads the Terrapins in receptions with 73 catches, almost double the next-highest ball catcher. Kaden Prather is second on the team with 45 receptions.

Felton also has 907 reception yards or 113 yards per game. He also has six touchdowns to his name. Prather has 487 yards (61 ypg) and three touchdowns.

Maryland hasn’t featured much of a ground game, but tailback Roman Hamby is capable of breaking out at any time. His 2024 isn’t as notable as his 2023 season, but Hamby still has 403 yards and four touchdowns, good for 50 yards per game.

Compared to last season, Hamby rushed the ball 142 times for 680 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushed for four touchdowns. Hamby also caught 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ducks will have to contain Hamby because if he’s suddenly a weapon, Oregon might have its hands a bit more fuller than it originally planned.

Up front, Maryland has plenty of experience individually, but they don’t have much experience playing together. There are a couple of transfers in there as well as some first-time starters. They’ve given up 14 sacks this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]