Badgers Coach Opens up About Development of QB Braedyn Locke

Braedyn Locke may not have won the Wisconsin Badgers quarterback competition during fall camp, but the coaching staff feels far more confident in their options under center thanks to his growth since joining the program.

A year removed from getting thrust into a starting role after Tanner Mordecai’s hand injury, offensive coordinator Phil Longo feels that the Mississippi State transfer made some notable strides in his development during the offseason. More importantly, Locke improved in the areas the staff asked him to.

“His strength last year was the decision-making part of it," Longo told reporters when asked about Locke’s progression. "We wanted to get better athletically, we wanted him to get throws off a little bit quicker. I think we wanted to be able to do more with him mentally.”

Locke’s 2023 campaign was a mixed bag. As a redshirt freshman, the Texas native flashed potential in his three starts, throwing for 777 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception in games against Iowa (relief), Ohio State, Illinois, and Indiana. Still, his 50.0 percent completion rate and 5.1 yards per attempt raised some eyebrows.

Now, heading into 2024, Locke's hard work during the offseason is paying off, and Longo believes he's on a different level, one that allowed him to earn plenty of reps with the first-team in spring practice and fall camp.

"He's so good mentally that he's on point with the throws. He's been even more accurate this year than he was last year," Longo noted. "With the help of Brady Collins and the staff, he's doing a lot more things athletically that I did not see him do last spring. "He's just a much better athletic product at this point."

Locke’s improved athleticism, football IQ, and knowledge of the playbook have turned him into what Longo describes as a “play-caller on the field.”

"I think from an operation standpoint, that's kind of where my game stands out, in my opinion," Locke said. "I think that I have the ability to put us in the right plays almost every snap."

His added strength and quickness have elevated Locke's game in a meaningful way, and because of that, head coach Luke Fickell feels like the Badgers now have 1A and 1B options at QB.

"We’ve got two really good, really capable QBs now," Fickell said . "I don't think anybody on this entire team would bat an eye at whoever is the QB, and I think that's a really good thing." “I haven't had that since I've been a head coach, so I feel good about that."

Now the big question is, when Tyler Van Dyke moves on after the season, will the Badgers finally have their long-term answer in Locke? Or will they continue to shop the transfer portal for their next signal-caller? Only time will tell.

Related: Phil Longo Pushes Back on ‘Prototypical Pocket QB’ Label for Tyler Van Dyke

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