4 surprises from Wisconsin football's offense during spring practices

Our spring breakdowns begin with a look at nearly a handful of Badgers who unexpectedly stood out during the spring.

The talk of the University of Wisconsin quarterback group this spring wasn’t just its new QB1.

Wisconsin brought in Colton Joseph, the 2025 Sun Belt offensive player of the year, from Old Dominion this offseason. His dual-threat athleticism and talent were on display with the first-team offense through the 15 practices that ran from late March through Wednesday. Who will be his backup still isn’t sorted out heading into the summer, and that’s partly because of the emergence of freshman early enrollee Ryan Hopkins.

Hopkins was one of Wisconsin’s key 2025 signees who came from national prep powerhouse Santa Ana Mater Dei. He first flashed his track speed on a quarterback run in March, and over the course of the spring, a variety of throws – whether airing it out to receivers and arguably displaying the strongest arm of the unit, or using different arm angles on throws under pressure – also were display.

But Hopkins also mixed those dual-threat traits with a poise not many first-year players possess.

“He’s got those intangible qualities that make him capable of coming in and contributing,” offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said last weekend, as seen in Wisconsin’s YouTube video. “He’s got a cool vibe and energy about him, and I think the players really, really respond to that. So yeah, I’ve been really pleased with him.”