BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Quarterback Colton Joseph announced Sunday that he will continue his college career at Wisconsin, transferring after a standout season at Old Dominion in which he emerged as one of the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
Joseph revealed his decision in a post on X that included the phrase “On Wisconsin,” signaling his commitment to the Badgers after entering the transfer portal earlier this month. His move comes following a season in which he threw for more than 2,500 yards and rushed for more than 1,000, providing a rare blend of passing efficiency and running ability.
During the 2025 season, Joseph completed 59.7% of his passes for 2,624 yards, tossing 21 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. He was equally impactful on the ground, rushing 158 times for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns. His performance helped Old Dominion finish 10-3 and established him as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the program.
Joseph did not appear in Old Dominion’s 24-10 victory over South Florida in the Cure Bowl after opting to enter the transfer portal, a decision that allowed him to begin evaluating opportunities elsewhere as the postseason approached.
His strong 2025 campaign followed a productive 2024 season in which he made eight starts. That year, Joseph completed 59.9% of his passes for 1,627 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 647 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. The steady progression over two seasons underscored his development as both a passer and a runner.
At Wisconsin, Joseph arrives at a program that has repeatedly turned to the transfer portal in search of stability at quarterback since head coach Luke Fickell took over. While the Badgers have added experienced passers in recent years, injuries have consistently disrupted continuity at the position.
In 2023, Tanner Mordecai transferred from SMU and began the season as the starter but missed three and a half games after suffering a broken hand. The following year, Tyler Van Dyke arrived from Miami only to tear his anterior cruciate ligament in the third game of the season, forcing Wisconsin to once again reshuffle its depth chart. Former Mississippi State quarterback Braedyn Locke was among those pressed into action during that stretch.
The trend continued in 2025. Billy Edwards Jr., who transferred from Maryland, opened the season as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback but sprained his knee in the second quarter of the Badgers’ season-opening win over Miami (Ohio). Although Edwards returned to start a September loss to Maryland, he was injured again and did not play the remainder of the season. San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil, Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons and freshman Carter Smith each made multiple starts as Wisconsin navigated another year of instability at the position.
Joseph’s arrival gives the Badgers a proven playmaker with experience carrying an offense and producing in multiple ways. His combination of arm strength, mobility and durability over the past two seasons could make him a strong contender to lead Wisconsin’s offense as the program looks to solidify the quarterback position and translate that stability into consistent success.
Original article
Comments