The Wisconsin Badgers added not one, but two quarterbacks in the transfer portal Monday, with Billy Edwards Jr. of Maryland following San Diego State’s Danny O’Neil.
Edwards technically brings in more experience than O’Neil, but both were full-time starters for one year of college football, both in 2024.
Here’s more about Billy Edwards Jr.:
How did Billy Edwards Jr. play last year at Maryland?
Edwards was the starter at Maryland in 2024 after two years backing up Taulia Tagovailoa.
Edwards completed 273 of 420 attempts in 2024 (65% completion), good for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His pass-efficiency rating was 130.12; by comparison, Badgers quarterbacks had a rating of 123.96. He also ran the ball 81 times for 148 yards and five touchdowns. The passing yardage ranked third in the Big Ten.
Edwards threw for 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions through the first five games of the season.
Maryland finished 4-8 this season, losing their final five games in a row after defeating USC in October. Edwards threw for 373 yards in the win over the Trojans, but it was his team’s only win in Big Ten play in 2024 (1-8 overall).
The five losses at season’s end came to Minnesota, No. 1 Oregon, Rutgers, Iowa and No. 4 Penn State. Edwards missed the final game with injury.
How did Billy Edwards Jr. play in previous years at Maryland?
Edwards played in two full games at quarterback in his first two seasons at Maryland, both wins, and finished those years with four passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns, often entering the game as a quarterback-sneak specialist.
