Wisconsin is already working on the future of its quarterback room, with the Badgers reportedly in negotiations with Colton Joseph for the 2027 season.
That development comes amid a college football landscape where quarterback movement has become a year-round conversation. As teams keep one eye on the present and another on the transfer market, Wisconsin appears to be moving early with the player it targeted to run Jeff Grimes’s offense.
Joseph arrived this offseason as the transfer quarterback meant to give the Badgers stability, and Wisconsin also added Deuce Adams for depth and four-star freshman Ryan Hopkins, who has impressed enough early to look like the No. 2 option behind Joseph.
This season, though, Joseph has had stretches of uneven play. He has thrown for 1,198 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 54.7 percent of his passes.
On the ground, he has added 333 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His passing consistency has remained shaky even in Wisconsin’s wins, and that showed up again in this weekend’s 17-7 loss.
Still, Joseph was the kind of quarterback Wisconsin wanted for this system: a dual-threat presence who could help the run game and give the offense more balance.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Wisconsin is one of several programs in similar talks with its current quarterback for 2027.
“Many across the sport expect the quarterback market to be as wild as ever,” Nakos wrote. “Several starting quarterbacks are currently in contract negotiations with their current programs for 2027, including Louisville, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wisconsin, sources have told On3. But the number of unknowns at the quarterback position in college football could lead to an unprecedented game of musical chairs in the next 10 weeks.”
The other three programs named by Nakos all brought in transfer quarterbacks this offseason, and each has seen those moves pay off.
Louisville landed Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who has been a standout in seven games with 1,844 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He is completing 67.3 percent of his passes and has also run for 10 touchdowns.
Nebraska added Anthony Colandrea, who has thrown for 1,570 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 62.6 percent of his passes. He has also rushed for 334 yards and four scores.
West Virginia brought in Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins, who has totaled 1,519 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception. His QBR ranks 11th in the country, and he has added 749 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games.
All three schools appear interested in keeping their current quarterbacks beyond this season. Wisconsin may be heading in the same direction, with negotiations now reportedly underway with Joseph for 2027.
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