Billy Edwards Jr. arrived in Madison with high expectations and a clear role: to be the quarterback that could help Jeff Grimes implement his offense under head coach Luke Fickell. He was seen as a handpicked fit for the system, a mobile, experienced signal-caller who could navigate a tough Big Ten schedule. But things unraveled fast.
Edwards’ Wisconsin career lasted just a few snaps before a knee injury sidelined him. The setback came before he ever had a real chance to show what he could do in the Badgers’ offense.
He tried to return against his former team, Maryland, just three weeks after the initial injury-well ahead of the typical five-week recovery window for a knee sprain. That move, while gutsy, backfired.
He re-aggravated the injury and was once again forced to the sideline.
From that point on, Edwards faded from the quarterback conversation. Though there were murmurs from the coaching staff about trying to get him back into the mix, Edwards reportedly didn’t feel ready.
Whether that was due to lingering physical issues, a desire to avoid further risk, or a combination of both, only he and the staff truly know. What’s clear is that he never took another snap for the Badgers.
Now, Edwards has announced he’s entering the transfer portal and seeking a medical redshirt for this season. That decision has ignited a firestorm among Wisconsin fans.
Social media lit up with frustration, with some accusing him of taking NIL money and walking away when things didn’t go according to plan. The narrative, at least among a vocal segment of the fanbase, is that Edwards quit on the team.
But let’s take a step back and consider the full picture.
Edwards was injured almost immediately after arriving in a new system. He attempted a comeback earlier than expected, likely driven by the emotional weight of facing his former team.
That decision cost him, setting his recovery back and keeping him out longer. By the time he may have been ready again, the season had shifted, and Wisconsin’s quarterback situation had moved on.
Whether it was a coaching decision, a health call, or a strategic one, Edwards didn’t return to the field.
His decision to transfer and pursue a redshirt is well within his rights, especially in the current landscape of college football, where player movement and NIL deals are part of the new normal. It’s not uncommon for players to make business decisions about their future, particularly when health and long-term playing time are involved.
That said, the emotional response from fans is understandable. Wisconsin had a turbulent season at quarterback, and Edwards was supposed to be a stabilizing force. When that didn’t materialize, and he ultimately left the program, it left a sour taste for many who had hoped he’d be part of the solution.
In the end, Billy Edwards Jr.'s time at Wisconsin will be remembered more for what could have been than what actually was. Whether he gets a fresh start elsewhere and makes the most of it remains to be seen. But in a sport that’s increasingly driven by player mobility, NIL dynamics, and injury management, his story is becoming less of an outlier and more of a reflection of the modern college football era.