As the 2026 season inches closer, the Wisconsin Badgers are continuing to grow during fall camp, as the team looks to have a much better year after a disappointing 4-8 campaign a season ago.
Much of the focus will be on the quarterback position, which has been a major issue for Wisconsin over the past few years. With some extra resources in the transfer portal this offseason, the Badgers landed Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph to run the show in 2026.
Joseph, a redshirt sophomore last year, threw
for 2,624 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, but it was his rushing ability that really caught eyes, as the quarterback went for over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns on the ground as well.
Now, he’s making a big jump up to the Big 10 with the hopes of being Wisconsin’s answer at the position in 2026.
“No team needs better luck on the transfer quarterback front than the Badgers, who have lost their projected starters to injury (Billy Edwards Jr., Tyler Van Dyke) in each of the past two seasons,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “Unlike Edwards and Van Dyke, Joseph comes from the Group of 6 ranks, where he became one of the nation’s top dual-threat players at Old Dominion.
“Last season, Joseph finished eighth nationally in total offense, recording 2,624 passing yards and 21 scores, and 1,007 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.”
What do coaches at Wisconsin and opposing coaches think of Joseph?
“I saw in his film, it just seemed as if he was always in control,” quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton said, via Rittenberg. He’s always had an answer and knew, like, ‘Hey, if somebody comes free, I can make it work and create that second play to make sure I give my guys a chance downfield.’ You see fast guys; you see guys with his body type that you can draw up a play for them to be explosive. But he has a really good feel for the pocket. He knows how to move around in the pocket and keep his eyes down, feel, and then tuck the ball once it’s time to run right, stay a passer.”
“He played way better than I thought he would play,” said a coach who faced Joseph in 2025, via Rittenberg. “We knew he could clearly run, but I thought against us, man, he threw some really nice balls, did a hell of a job making the right decisions. I will not be surprised to see him have a good year in the Big Ten.”
A lot of the upside here is dependent on Joseph as a passer, as he’s got a solid frame and good rushing ability as well. Hearing that from an opposing coach is a good sign.
