Luke Fickell’s hiring changing look of Wisconsin’s QB position. What might that mean for Graham Mertz?
Luke Fickell’s hiring likely will affect Wisconsin’s quarterbacks more than any other position group on the team.
Fickell, Cincinnati’s head coach for the last six seasons, prefers to recruit and develop dual-threat quarterbacks.
Desmond Ridder started 48 games in four seasons at Cincinnati from 2018-21. He passed for 10,239 yards and 87 touchdowns, but also rushed for 2,180 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Bearcats’ lone quarterback commitment for the 2023 class is Brady Drogosh, a dual-threat prospect from Michigan.
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Colorado quarterback Cole LaCrue still planning to sign with Wisconsin
UW has an oral commitment from Cole LaCrue, a dual-threat quarterback from Colorado, for the 2023 class. That offer was extended when Jim Leonhard was interim head coach but LaCrue still plans to sign with UW.
Myles Burkett, who led Franklin (Wis.) High School to the WIAA Division 1 state title as a senior, is mobile and appears capable of running the offense Fickell prefers. He passed for 6,483 yards and 71 touchdowns in high school but also rushed for 1,054 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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What does the future hold for Graham Mertz and Chase Wolf?
Graham Mertz and Chase Wolf both are eligible to return to UW in 2023. Wolf is more mobile than Mertz but neither player is considered a dual-threat quarterback.
Wolf is in his fifth year in the program. He has played in only 12 games.
Mertz is in his fourth year in the program. He has started 32 games and has played under three offensive coordinators – Paul Chryst, Joe Rudolph and Bobby Engram.