Wisconsin Football Spring Practice: Transfer QB, WR Turn Heads

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 11:37 AM ET

Madison, WI - The unofficial first week of the 2025 college football season is in the books. After three Wisconsin football spring practices, the third year under head coach Luke Fickell is beginning to take shape.

It is a season of change after the most disappointing Wisconsin Badgers football season in a generation. Following its first losing season in a generation and snapping a 22-year bowl streak, UW has made wholesale changes to its offense.

Zero scholarship quarterbacks on the 2024 roster returned to Madison. After Wisconsin fired former offensive coordinator Phil Longo mid-season, Jeff Grimes hopes to generate more offensive production than his predecessor. Last season, the Badgers scored 22.5 points per game - the lowest mark in two decades.

To ease the former Kansas Jayhawks assistant's transition in Madison, Wisconsin brought in a Big Ten football veteran to lead the offense. After being named QB1, the signal-caller might already have a favorite target.

Wisconsin Football QB Billy Edwards Connecting with WR Jayden Ballard

Two of the Badgers' splashier transfer portal additions are quickly building a rapport in Grimes' offense. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and wide receiver Jayden Ballard have combined to make a few head-turning plays in spring practice.

The duo flashed potential on the first day in a one-on-one drill. With cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean defending, the former Maryland Terrapins starter threw a well-placed ball to the left corner of the Camp Randall Stadium north endzone. Ballard managed to speed past the Fourqurean for a catch in stride.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes pass catcher was behind a pair of All-Big Ten wideouts on the depth chart in Columbus. After logging a pair of receptions for 18 yards in six games with OSU in 2024, Ballard could play an outsized role with Wisconsin football.

The connection between the former conference foes grew on the second day of practice. After dropping back in the pocket, Edwards wound up for a 70-yard throw down the middle of the field. The 2023 Music City Bowl MVP connected with Ballard for an impressive touchdown pass.

As practice continues, the connection between Edwards and Ballard is growing, but so is the competition between Wisconsin's offense and defense.

On Tuesday, it was Fourqurean who got the better of Ballard. Once again throwing to the left corner of the north endzone, Edwards tried to dial-up a touchdown to the early contender for UW's leading receiver. The former top-100 prospect did not manage to get a step ahead of the 2022 Division II all-American on that go-around. Fourqurean put a hand up to break up the well-placed pass by Edwards.

The graduate student defensive back was in the ear of the wide receiver he had just bested the entire walk back to the line of scrimmage.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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