The Wisconsin Badgers football program simply hasn’t had it these past few seasons, but an Old Dominion transfer may change everything.
ESPN recently named its “top newcomer” for each Big Ten team. To no surprise, quarterback Colton Joseph was the Badgers’ selection.
“Joseph is the ideal convergence of scheme fit and program culture for Jeff Grimes’ evolving system as a dynamic dual‑threat who marries downfield precision with game‑breaking mobility,” Billy Tucker wrote.
He continued, “The Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year arrives after a stellar 2025 campaign that showcased his explosive ceiling and consistent production. His elite efficiency metrics, tops among portal quarterbacks, reflect advanced processing and decision‑making that should translate immediately. Injuries at quarterback have impacted production over the past three years. Joseph brings the talent and intangibles to stabilize the position while unlocking Grimes’ full offensive vision.”
Joseph has now thrown for 4,251 yards in his two-year collegiate career. After settling in with the Monarchs, he decided he was ready for his next test, which will come in Madison for the 2026 season.
The California native threw for north of 250 yards on six occasions last season. Thus far in his young career, he’s thrown for over 300 yards in four games. For what it’s worth, the Badgers haven’t had a 300-yard passer since Braedyn Lock lit up Purdue on October 5, 2024, with his 359-yard performance. Before that, no Badger had thrown for that number in a regular-season game since Jack Coan did so on September 7, 2019.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: ESPN reveals Wisconsin football’s top newcomer ahead of 2026 season
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
