Initial thoughts on Wisconsin football's new transfer quarterback, Colton Joseph
The Badgers got their transfer target on campus and locked in. Here's what to know.
The University of Wisconsin football program has landed yet another transfer quarterback who’s expected to take the reins of its offense.
Colton Joseph has signed with Wisconsin, Badger Observer has confirmed after ESPN’s Pete Thamel initial report on Sunday, in what has been a busy weekend for coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers. Joseph was on campus and seen at the Kohl Center on Saturday during the men’s basketball team’s loss to No. 5 Purdue.
He’s a dual-threat quarterback who combined for 34 touchdowns (21 passing, 13 rushing) this season for Old Dominion, and he appears to possess what the Badgers want in a signal caller in Jeff Grimes’ offensive scheme.
Here are some initial thoughts what Joseph’s reported arrival means for Wisconsin going forward during this crucial offseason for Fickell and the program.
Joseph is a true dual-threat quarterback in every sense
Joseph has the measurables at quarterback, as according to Old Dominion, he was listed at 6 foot 2 and 200 pounds. He completed 59.7% of his throws for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in 12 games. He recorded at least 200 yards passing eight times this season, including 315 yards during a 47-7 blowout of Coastal Carolina.
But Joseph’s no statue in the pocket, as he comes to Wisconsin with 1,654 yards rushing on 6.1 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns on the ground over the last two seasons. He accumulated 1,007 yards rushing on 6.4 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns alone in 2025. He ran 20 times for a career-high 189 yards rushing and one touchdown to help lead Old Dominion to a 45-10 win at Georgia Southern in November.
Joseph was the Sun Belt’s offensive player of the year after guiding the Monarchs to 32 points and 454.7 yards per contest (216.4 passing, 238.3 rushing) this season (Please note: Those offensive numbers also include a bowl game that Joseph did not play in.).
