Story by
Could Ryan Hopkins challenge for Wisconsin's backup QB spot in 2026?
- Story by
- Could Ryan Hopkins challenge for Wisconsin's backup QB spot in 2026?
Ryan Hopkins forced his way into Wisconsin 's quarterback conversation this offseason, turning what looked like a settled depth chart behind presumed starter Colton Joseph into what may be a real battle for the No. 2 job with Deuce Adams headed into fall camp.
Wisconsin entered the offseason talking up a quarterback room that finally felt deep, and Hopkins' rapid development put that claim to the test in practice. Hopkins showed beyond his years potential as he took his first reps as a Wisconsin Badger, and his natural athleticism might be too tempting to keep off the field.
Advertisement
Joseph remained the clear favorite to open as QB1, but the fight behind him carried real weight for a program that has lived through uncertainty at the position in recent years. Wisconsin's staff carried more confidence in its options than it has at times in the past, with Hopkins pushing Adams and making the No. 2 spot something the Badgers still had to earn rather than assign.
Carter Smith, who is a former four-star recruit, seems like he may need to make up ground in the fall if he's going to challenge for playing time. The fact that Smith may be the 4th string QB shows the improved depth the team has built this year. That experience still mattered as insurance, especially in a league built on attrition, but the day-to-day momentum centered on whether Hopkins could keep closing the gap on Adams.
Wisconsin headed into the official visit season with quarterback depth that looked different from what it had been in much of the Luke Fickell era. The next practices will continue to define whether Hopkins can turn his rise into the first call off the bench behind Joseph.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion .
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin's Ryan Hopkins pushes for backup QB role vs. Deuce Adams
