Wisconsin Badgers Practice: Quarterbacks Struggle, Defense Shines in Spring

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers football team reached the midpoint of their spring practice schedule, wrapping up sessions No. 7 and 8 on Saturday and Tuesday. As preparation for the upcoming season intensifies, several patterns and performances are beginning to emerge.

During Saturday’s practice, widely viewed as critical for recruiting, the offense faced challenges. Quarterback Billy Edwards struggled with accuracy, throwing an interception and failing to secure any significant completions. On one play, an errant pass intended for J.T. Seagraves instead found the ground, and a pass attempt to Austin Brown was also nearly intercepted.

“It was a rough day for the offense,” said a team source, reflecting on the lack of major plays and the defense’s dominance. “The defense has clearly been making strides.”

Edwards’ counterpart, Danny O’Neil, demonstrated some flashes of potential but battled inconsistency as well. A notable play saw him connect with Quincy Burroughs for a touchdown, a catch made possible by Burroughs’ quick reflexes despite a poorly placed throw.

On the defensive side, the secondary excelled, particularly the safeties. Austin Brown, now transitioning into a full-time safety role, made significant contributions with both interceptions and pass breakups. His heightened activity emphasizes the evolving dynamic in the safety room, especially in light of Hunter Wohler’s departure.

“Austin has stepped up his game,” noted head coach Luke Fickell, as he praised Brown’s progress this spring. “He is a natural fit back there.”

As the Badgers aim to return to a smashmouth style of play under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, they have implemented a heavier personnel approach and an aggressive running scheme. Saturday showcased limited success in their running efforts, highlighted by fumbles from Vinny Anthony and Quincy Burroughs.

“We’re experimenting with different ways to utilize our speed in space,” said Grimes. “It’s part of the learning process, and we know we need to be cleaner in execution.”

Things improved for Edwards by Tuesday’s practice. Despite a rocky start, which included an early interception thrown to Ricardo Hallman, he rebounded by connecting successfully with Tucker Ashcraft for a significant gain and later executing a strong two-minute drill.

“It’s important to build on those moments,” Edwards commented. “Every day is a chance to get better, and I felt like I started to find my rhythm.”

O’Neil also had a mixed performance on Tuesday, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Ballard, but also hampered by overthrows and batted-down passes. His development continues to be a focal point as the coaching staff assesses their quarterback depth.

The secondary maintained its momentum, with new alignment strategies showing promise. Geimere Latimer’s physical play and Austin Brown’s continued impact highlight a unit looking to improve upon the defensive struggles witnessed last season. Ricardo Hallman was recognized as the standout player during these sessions, demonstrating agility and anticipation on defense.

Meanwhile, the kicking game remains a concern for Wisconsin. Nathanial Vakos, who faced challenges in the previous season, struggled again, missing several field goal attempts during practice. “Consistency is key for our special teams,” Fickell stated. “We need to see improvement in that area to support our offense.”

As the Badgers progress through their spring schedule, observers remain hopeful that the combination of a robust defense and improvement in offensive execution will set the stage for a successful 2025 season.