Tag: braedyn locke

BREAKING: Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback signee decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback commit decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 signee Landyn Locke announced his decision to decommit from the Badgers’ class of 2025 on Monday.

Landyn Locke — the younger brother of former Badgers’ starter Braedyn Locke — made his choice just 12 days after signing with Wisconsin during its early signing day window on Dec. 4.

His choice follows a string of movements within the room. His older brother Braedyn entered the portal on Dec. 11 following an up-and-down season as the Badgers’ starter. That followed the departure of  Tyler Van Dyke, who also entered the portal after the 2024 season concluded.

After those departures, Wisconsin landed commitments from San Diego State transfer quarterback Danny O’Neil and Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. Those two additions, paired with the arrival of highly-touted class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith, would have seen Locke enter far down the depth chart in Wisconsin’s crowded quarterback room.

With the reality of the updated depth chart, the Badgers’ move to fire offensive coordinator Phil Longo in November was also likely a factor in Locke’s decision.

The Texas native committed to Wisconsin in June 2023, just months after Braedyn transferred to the program from Mississippi State. He was set to join the Badgers as 247Sports’ No. 1,108 player in the class of 2025 and the No. 64 quarterback.

Rising sophomore Mabrey Mettauer is the only remaining quarterback from Wisconsin’s 2024 squad. Redshirt freshman Cole LaCrue also departed alongside Van Dyke and both Locke brothers this offseason.

For more on UW’s departing talent, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal departures tracker.

BREAKING: Wisconsin quarterback enters NCAA transfer portal

BREAKING: Wisconsin quarterback enters NCAA transfer portal

Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.

He is Wisconsin’s 16th scholarship player to enter, 18th overall player and third quarterback (Cole LaCrue, Tyler Van Dyke).

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

His move follows two years with the Badgers under head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo. He initially transferred to the program after a redshirt season at Mississippi State.

The former four-star recruit went 3-8 starting under center and 3-10 overall, as saw extensive time filling in for injured veterans Tanner Mordecai and Van Dyke. He completed 53.6% of his passes over those appearances for 2,713 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.

Locke’s move follows Wisconsin’s recent hire of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. Given the new dynamic within that offensive room and the program likely to bring in another veteran transfer, Locke was set to again enter the 2025 season as the primary backup. He’ll likely seek a transfer destination where he can start for his final two collegiate seasons.

Wisconsin’s current quarterback room now consists of redshirt freshman Mabrey Mettauer and incoming freshmen Landyn Locke (Braedyn Locke’s brother) and four-star Carter Smith. The program will be active recruiting the position during this transfer cycle.

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Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs younger brother of QB Braedyn Locke

Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs younger brother of QB Braedyn Locke

Wisconsin officially signed all 24 committed members of its class of 2025 on Wednesday.

The group currently ranks No. 24 in the nation and No. 8 in the new Big Ten at this late stage in the cycle. That slot is close to finalized with the early signing period ongoing.

Related: Early Signing Day Tracker: Updates on Wisconsin football’s full activity in class of 2025

One notable member of Wisconsin’s incoming class: three-star quarterback Landyn Locke — the younger brother of current Badgers starter Braedyn Locke.

Landyn Locke committed to Wisconsin in June 2023, just months after Braedyn transferred to the program from Mississippi State. He has stuck with his commitment through two disappointing seasons. He’s set to join the Badgers as 247Sports’ No. 1,108 player in the class of 2025 and the No. 64 quarterback.

He is one of two quarterbacks committed to the class. Four-star Carter Smith is the group’s top signal-caller.

 

Landyn sticking with the class is notable amid Wisconsin’s ongoing turmoil, and after it landed Smith to headline the class. The program recently fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo in November. That new offensive coordinator is likely to reshape the program’s quarterback room upon arrival.

That dynamic, paired with Braedyn’s up-and-down play throughout the season, led many to wonder whether he will stick around with the new regime. The redshirt sophomore remains with the program as of Dec. 4, and recently reaffirmed his desire to play for the Badgers when speaking with the media after the team’s season-closing loss to Minnesota.

Landyn Locke signing his National Letter of Intent is a possible signal that Braedyn plans to stick around. Given the converging factors of a crowded room and a new coordinator, it could have been easy for the three-star recruit to look elsewhere. That is just a projection — it’s hard to predict anything concrete in today’s age of college football. As of today, both Landyn and Braedyn Locke are set to suit up for the Badgers in 2025.

The team’s quarterback depth chart is a big story to watch as the offseason continues.

For more updates on Wisconsin’s early signing period, bookmark our signing day 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.

Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke discusses future with the Badgers after loss to Minnesota

Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke discusses future with the Badgers after loss to Minnesota

Wisconsin’s 2024 regular season came to a crashing end on Friday afternoon with a 24-7 loss to rival Minnesota. The loss finishes the team’s quest for a 23rd consecutive bowl appearance — barring a significant collection of Week 14 upsets and the Badgers edging other 5-7 teams in APR (Academic Progress Rate).

For all intents and purposes, Wisconsin’s 2024 season came to a close with a decisive loss to its biggest rival.

Related: Braelon Allen, notable former Wisconsin players react to Badgers loss to Minnesota, worst season since 2001

The result begins what will be a pivotal offseason for Luke Fickell. He must hire an offensive coordinator, reshape the program’s identity, reload the roster in the transfer portal and work to reverse what has gone wrong over the last two seasons.

One big variable in that equation is the quarterback position. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke, who tore his ACL during the Badgers’ Week 3 loss to Alabama, could return for another season. Braedyn Locke, who played the majority of the 2024 season in relief of Van Dyke, is only a redshirt sophomore. Other potential factors in the room include true freshman Mabrey Mettauer and incoming top recruit Carter Smith.

Wisconsin may be forced back into the transfer market for 2025 given the questions surrounding Van Dyke’s health and Locke’s on-field results. Van Dyke may not be ready for Week 1 next fall, while Locke finished 2024 with a 3-7 overall record, 1,936 yards, a 55% completion rate, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His play was one of the many factors in the team’s five-game losing streak to close the season.

Locke discussed his future with the program when meeting with the media after the Minnesota loss on Friday. Here is his full comment, courtesy of The Athletic’s Jesse Temple:

“I’ve got a lot of pride in this program,” Locke said. “I love being a Badger. This place has been so special to me. I’ve got a heart for every single guy in that locker room. I love them to death. I’d do anything for them. I lay it on the line for our program every day. And I say that without a doubt at all. So, yeah, I love being here. I want to be here. It’s been an absolute pleasure to take the field nine Saturdays this fall. Something I’ll never forget. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been very, very special for me and I want to continue to do that.”

Locke’s future is worth watching with Wisconsin set to hire a new offensive coordinator this offseason. That new hire will install a new system, which will likely be different from Phil Longo’s air raid. Locke was one of Longo’s initial transfer additions, transferring from another air raid system at Mississippi State.

The dynamic of a new coordinator and the team’s urgency after a 5-7 season will likely lead to a new signal-caller under center to begin 2025. While that appears likely, it remains challenging to predict player movement in the current age of the sport.

Given Locke’s sentiment after the Badger’ season-ending loss, he may still stick around and compete for the job amid the inevitable offseason changes.

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

What Luke Fickell said after Wisconsin’s loss to Nebraska extended losing streak to four

What Luke Fickell said after Wisconsin’s loss to Nebraska extended losing streak to four

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell addressed the media following the Badgers’ 44-25 loss to Nebraska on Saturday.

The Badgers’ season may have reached its lowest point in the contest. UW allowed the Cornhuskers to pick up nearly 475 yards on offense and score 20 consecutive points spanning the second and third quarters. The team has lost four consecutive conference games to drop to 13th in the Big Ten.

Luke Fickell addressed the loss bluntly after the game.

“This is getting old,” Fickell said. “I don’t have any excuses. We didn’t play well. We didn’t play well in the complementary football that we have to on the road in particular. We played really, really poorly, especially tackling-wise in the second half.”

With a must-win game against Minnesota fast approaching, Wisconsin will need to regroup quickly if it wishes to have any shot of clinching its 23rd straight bowl game.

“We have to challenge ourselves,” Fickell said. “We have to look real deep in a short week and find out who’s with us and who’s willing to lay it all out on the line. … I don’t have a problem having blind faith. When you struggle like that, I’m sure there’s guys that have some doubts in their minds. … You’re going to have to find ways to pick yourself back up and have some faith in the process.”

The challenge for the Badgers, however, seems to be the pressurized situations. As fans have witnessed against Penn State, Oregon, Iowa and Nebraska, events can unravel quickly.

“We can play really, really well, and then we get to a situation where things don’t go well and can’t find a way to regroup or have the poise to make adjustments,” Fickell said. “I don’t have an answer. I can’t put a finger on it other than go back to work and make sure you know who you have with you.”

The one bright spot, though, was quarterback Braedyn Locke. The Texas native threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the loss in arguably his best individual performance of the 2024 slate.

“He managed what we asked him to manage, and he took the shots when we needed to take shots, and he made some good decisions,” Fickell said. “Those are the kind of things we need to continue to build upon. But it’s hard to see through right now.”

All focus now turns to Minnesota in what will be Wisconsin’s final game of the regular season. If Wisconsin wins, it secures a bowl bid. If it loses, the season becomes a full-on disaster.

“I don’t know if there’s any more pressure on us than finding a way to get up and go back at it to play a rivalry game that’s as important as anything we do all year,” Fickell said. “Are there other things that lay in the balance? Yeah, there are, but I don’t think those are things that are going to be in the forefront of what we have to do.”

Wisconsin and Minnesota will kick off on Friday at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT at Camp Randall Stadium.

WATCH: Nebraska fans storm field following historic win over Wisconsin

WATCH: Nebraska fans storm field following historic win over Wisconsin

For the first time since 2016, Nebraska’s football program is bowl eligible.

Following a historic 44-25 beatdown against the Wisconsin Badgers, hundreds of Cornhusker fans stormed Memorial Stadium’s field to celebrate the program’s feat.

To make matters worse, the venue’s speakers blasted Wisconsin’s iconic theme song, ‘Jump Around,’ during the final portion of the fourth quarter.

Nebraska’s win against Wisconsin marks the first time the Cornhuskers have beaten the Badgers since September 2012. That season, Joel Stave served as UW’s quarterback, running back Montee Ball was in his final season in Madison and Bret Bielema manned the sidelines.

Fans tend the storm the field following an upset against a ranked opponent or collegiate juggernaut. In this instance, Cornhusker fans’ jubilance stemmed from defeating a storied rival and clinching a postseason berth.

For the first time in program history, Nebraska also received the Freedom Trophy, a piece of hardware awarded to the winner of the rivalry game dating back to 2014.

Nebraska dominated Wisconsin in every facet of the contest. The Cornhusker offense ran for 180 yards, scored five touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per play.

The only silver lining for the Badgers surrounds Braedyn Locke’s play in the passing game. The redshirt sophomore threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in his first game without former offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

Still, the loss encapsulates most of the games during the back half of Wisconsin’s season. In a high-pressure situation, the Badgers eventually lost control and played horribly on the defensive end.

UW is now in jeopardy of missing its first bowl game since 2001. Luke Fickell’s program will need a win against Minnesota on Nov. 29 to prevent that from happening.

Wisconsin Badgers all-time winningest quarterback offers advice to Braedyn Locke

Wisconsin Badgers all-time winningest quarterback offers advice to Braedyn Locke

Wisconsin’s all-time winningest quarterback, Joel Stave, offered candid advice to current Badgers starter Braedyn Locke on Tuesday.

Stave was asked during a radio interview what he’d say to Locke about how he should handle ongoing criticism amid the Badgers’ rough stretch of play.

Here’s what Stave told host Jim Rutledge:

“The big thing is do everything you can to ignore the noise,” Stave said. “Focus on you. Focus on what you can control. It’s been a tough year. There have certainly been some high points, (and) there have obviously been some low points, too. He’s played a tough, tough schedule. I think he does have a lot of positive things to draw back on, but it’s ignoring anything that’s not focused on the team.”

Here is his full answer:

Stave represented Wisconsin from 2011-15 and left Madison with a 31-10 record as a starter. The 31 victories made him the winningest quarterback in program history, and his .756 win percentage is No. 3 among UW quarterbacks all time, per Wisconsin athletics.

As a starter, Stave experienced excellence for Wisconsin football. He played in three bowl games and captured Offensive MVP honors in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.

Locke, meanwhile, has struggled this season, leading some fans to call for true freshman Mabrey Mettauer to suit up under center for the remainder of the season,

In nine games as a redshirt sophomore, Locke has completed 129 pass attempts for 1,514 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has 10 turnovers in seven starts since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke against Alabama.

Stave’s comments come at the perfect time for Locke. After completing 12 of 28 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception in UW’s loss to No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16, the critics have grown louder.

UW is tasked with defeating Nebraska on Nov. 23 in Lincoln. If the program wishes to reach its 23rd straight bowl game, Locke needs to protect the ball and drown out the noise.

Luke Fickell clarifies Badgers starting quarterback moving forward

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell clarifies Badgers starting quarterback moving forward

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell offered a firm update on the Badgers’ quarterback situation on Monday.

When asked by media about redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke’s status as UW’s starting quarterback, Fickell didn’t hesitate. Locke will remain the team’s starter.

The update arrives two days after UW dropped its marquee matchup against No. 1 Oregon. Wisconsin led 13-6 at the beginning of the final quarter before allowing 10 points to the top-ranked Ducks. Locke struggled in the contest, completing 12 of 28 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The update also arrives the day after Wisconsin fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

Fresh off a three-game losing streak and after that coaching change, UW looks to regroup for its Nov. 23 game with Locke under center.

In nine games this season, Locke has completed 129 pass attempts for 1,514 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is up to 10 turnovers in seven starts since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke after his injury.

Wisconsin’s other option at the position is true freshman Mabrey Mettauer. The four-star recruit has attempted just one collegiate pass, and he appears far from ready for high-stakes game action.

Given Locke’s sample size as the starter this season, fans can expect more of the same from the second-year Badger. Taking care of the football is critical for Wisconsin to take care of business against rival Nebraska.

The Badgers and Cornhuskers are scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Photo gallery from Wisconsin football’s narrow loss to No. 1 Oregon

Best photos from Wisconsin’s narrow loss to No. 1 Oregon in Week 12

The Wisconsin Badgers lost to No. 1 Oregon 16-13 on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. The loss marked Wisconsin’s third in a row, as the team is now 5-5 on the season and 3-4 in Big Ten play.

The Badgers looked markedly better on the defensive side of the ball versus the Ducks, limiting the No. 1 team in the country to a season-low 16 total points. That output came thanks to big plays in key moments, starting with Nyzier Fourqurean’s interception off Dillon Gabriel in the first quarter.

Wisconsin entered the halftime break up 10-6, in a strong position to pull the upset win.

The Badgers then got a stop to open the second half before embarking on a nearly nine-minute, 16-play drive that ended with a field goal. It expanded Wisconsin’s lead to 13-6, which remained the score to open the fourth quarter.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Gabriel was able to complete a 15-yard pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson to convert a fourth-and-nine. The Ducks finished off the drive with a touchdown on the ground by running back Jordan James, knotting the game up at 13-13.

Oregon later added a field goal with less than three minutes left in the game and the Badgers weren’t able to answer, falling 16-13.

Wisconsin will now travel to face Nebraska at Lincoln Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23. In the meantime, here some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s almost historic upset against the Ducks:

Previewing the Wisconsin offense before Saturday’s game in Madison

Wisconsin’s offense has struggled throughout the season and facing the Duck defense won’t make things any easier.

There are some very good offensive units in the Big Ten such as Ohio State, Indiana, and to some degree Penn State.

But Wisconsin is not on that list.

The Badgers have had trouble putting the ball in the end zone in 2024 and against one of the top defenses in the county, it’s difficult to imagine this changing on Saturday.

Quarterback and first-year starter Braedyn Locke has had an up-and-down season. He averages nearly 180 yards a game and he has eight touchdowns to his credit. That’s the good news. The bad news, at least for the Badgers, is that Locke has thrown for eight picks. That 1-to-1 ratio between touchdown passes and interceptions is less than ideal.

When Locke isn’t tossing the all around the field, he is giving it to a capable running back in Tawee Walker. The 5-foot-9, 218-pound senior averages 84 yards a game and has found the end zone 10 times.

With a more prolific passing game for a defense to pay closer attention to, Walker’s numbers would most likely be even better.

In that passing game, Locke tends to throw to receiver Will Pauling more often than not. He leads the team with 40 receptions and two touchdowns.

The Badgers feature an offensive line that can be a tough one to crack for any defense with their size. The smallest offensive lineman for the Badgers is Jake Renfro at 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds and the largest is Jack Nelson at 6-foot-7 and 316 pounds.

According to Oregon coach Dan Lanning, Wisconsin has a typical Big Ten line to contend with.

“They’re big. They’re one of the ones where you look at them and say that’s what an offensive line looks like,” he said. “They have great size up front. They have the ability to move you. That’s what a Wisconsin offensive line looks like.”

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