MADISON – Wisconsin’s quarterback room went through some major changes Monday.
It started early in the day when former San Diego State signal caller Danny O’Neil announced his commitment to the program.
And it continued in the evening when another QB pledged his commitment to the Badgers while one of the team’s 2025 recruits was released from his commitment.
Billy Edwards Jr., who started at Maryland this season, will join the Badgers for the 2025 campaign, while Landyn Locke, the younger brother of former Badger Braedyn Locke, announced on X that he is no longer signed to UW and that his recruitment is open.
By adding Edwards, who was listed as 6-foot-3, 222 pounds this season, Wisconsin gained an upperclassman at the position. Prior to his commitment, Wisconsin was projected to have only first and second-year quarterbacks.
He also gives the Badgers someone familiar with the Big Ten. Edwards played in 11 games this season and was good enough to help receiver Tai Felton earn first-team all-Big Ten distinction.
Here are Edwards’ numbers from this season: 273 completions, 420 attempts, 65% completion percentage, 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions.
Edwards’ pass efficiency rating was 130.12. The rating for Wisconsin quarterbacks was 123.96.
He threw 76 passes during his first two seasons when he was a backup for Taulia Tagovailoa.
While Edwards had the benefit of committing after Jeff Grimes was hired as offensive coordinator, Locke did not. Locke committed to UW in June 2023 with the idea the idea that he would be playing in Phil Longo’s Air Raid.
He remained committed to Wisconsin after Longo was fired and after the Badgers added a second quarterback, Carter Smith, to the recruiting class.
That changed Monday.
“I have decommitted and am no longer signed to the University of Wisconsin,” Locke wrote on X. “I am thankful for the opportunity but my recruitment is 100% open.”
More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who’s leaving and who’s arriving?
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr. commits to Wisconsin; Locke decommits
