Why Myles Burkett should start at QB in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Here’s why Myles Burkett should start at QB for the Badgers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
(Photo: Courtesy of UW Athletics)
Madison, Wis. -- With multi-year starting quarterback Graham Mertz entering the transfer portal, the Wisconsin Badgers have just three signal callers remaining on the roster ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Arizona: redshirt senior Chase Wolf, true freshman Myles Burkett, and freshman walk-on Marshall Howe.
With head coach Luke Fickell expected to coach UW in its bowl game, he'll have to name a starting QB during bowl prep with very few preconceived notions about the in-house candidates.
Although Wolf has the most experience in the clubhouse, having appeared in 10 games, he's on his last leg with the program and doesn't figure into any of UW's long-term plans. So, in my opinion, all signs point to in-state product Myles Burkett being under center as QB1 when the Badgers take the field on December 27th...
Who is Myles Burkett?
UW brought in one scholarship quarterback in the 2022 recruiting cycle, Myles Burkett, a three-star prospect from Franklin, Wisconsin.
Per the 247Sports Composite, he was the No. 760 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, the No. 43 QB in the country, and the No. 8 player in Wisconsin.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound signal-caller held offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), and Wisconsin. Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Illinois also showed interest during his recruitment.
He threw for 3,427 yards with 36 TDs and just 4 INTs on a 71% completion percentage - leading his team to a perfect 14-0 record and a D1 state title as a senior at Franklin High School. Because of Burkett's monster season, he was named the Wisconsin AP and Gatorade Player of the Year.
Quick scouting report
Coming out of high school, Myles Burkett wasn't viewed as having an elite trait at QB. However, he also doesn't have a glaring weakness.
Despite not being a "true" dual-threat quarterback, he's athletic, can escape pressure, pick up yardage with his legs, and make throws outside of the pocket/on the move. Additionally, the three-star prospect isn't afraid to stay in the pocket and deliver a ball under pressure.
Burkett is also an extremely accurate passer who takes care of the football and plays with a high IQ.
While the Wisconsin native might not have the biggest arm you'll find at the Power 5 level, it's more than serviceable, and in all honesty, he throws a nice ball.
He has several tools worth developing, and with his work ethic and leadership skills, I wouldn't be shocked to see him push for the QB1 spot at some point in his career at UW.
Why he should start in the bowl game…
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