Wisconsin football lands Maryland transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
Former Maryland quarterback Bill Edwards Jr. has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers football program.
For the third consecutive offseason, Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers have landed their starting quarterback from the transfer portal.
Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. has committed to Wisconsin after taking an official visit, giving coach Fickell and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes an experienced signal-caller to help lead the Badgers offense in 2025.
“Time to Jump Around 🦡,” Edwards wrote in an Instagram post.
A native of Springfield, VA, Edwards was rated as a three-star recruit in the 2021 class and began his college football career at Wake Forest before transferring to Maryland.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback started 12 games for Maryland in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His 420 pass attempts led the entire Big Ten. Edwards also showcased his mobility, rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Edwards graded out as one of the Big Ten’s more efficient quarterbacks in 2024. His 79.6 overall offensive grade and 75.4 passing grade ranked him among the top 10 quarterbacks in the conference, underscoring his ability to produce against quality competition.
PFF data showed that Edwards earned a 0.21 wins above average rating in 2024, placing him in the 70th percentile nationally. He also graded out in the 73rd percentile for performance outside the pocket and had a 4.9% sack rate, putting him in the 61st percentile among FBS starters.
Edwards brings a proven track record as a starter in the Big Ten to a Wisconsin quarterback room that's undergone a major overhaul. The Badgers have seen Tyler Van Dyke, Braedyn Locke, and Cole LaCrue enter the portal this offseason, leaving redshirt freshman Mabrey Mettauer and early enrollees Carter Smith and Landyn Locke as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
Wisconsin recently added Danny O’Neil, a promising young passer from San Diego State to add depth. Still, Edwards brings the experience and leadership the Badgers need to try and compete in the Big Ten.
Edwards' skill set is an excellent match for Grimes’ offensive philosophy, which emphasizes running the ball effectively and also the ability to take calculated shots downfield. Last season, 15.1% of Edwards' passes came on throws of 20+ yards downfield. He completed 19-of-64 attempts and achieved an elite 86.7 mark from PFF with 18 big-time throws.
It’s worth pointing out that Edwards is stepping into a massive upgrade when it comes to offensive line play. Wisconsin finished 12th nationally in pass protection grade, while Maryland—by comparison—ranked a staggering 132nd. The Badgers also came in at 59th for run blocking, with the Terps sitting way down at 133rd.
Wisconsin was also tied for 15th best in the country this year in sacks allowed (13), whereas Maryland finished 71st, giving up 26 sacks. It’s fair to wonder what Edwards might look like with a little more time to operate.
Having someone like Edwards who can step into the starting job and help implement Grimes' offensive system will be invaluable as Wisconsin looks to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 season. With Edwards now in the fold, the Badgers have filled a critical need, giving them a clear leader for the quarterback room heading into spring practice and fall camp.
With Edwards' commitment now official, Wisconsin now has seven portal additions this offseason, joining Preston Petersen (Tulane), Tanner Koziol (Ball State), Mason Reiger (Louisville), Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Danny O'Neil (San Diego State), and Charles Perkins (UT Martin).
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Moving in the right direction. 👍🏻