Wisconsin is hoping for a big jump offensively in 2025.
The Wisconsin Badgers had a strong spring ball as they debuted their new-look offense and defense that included both schematic and personnel changes this offseason.
Wisconsin brought in quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. to lead the offense, which is now run by offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, who was hired from Kansas.
While there are a number of valid questions heading into the fall as Wisconsin faces a brutal schedule, there is also the unknown, which can be a positive sign as the Badgers look to shock their competition this season.
Back in March, cornerback Ricardo Hallman broke down his initial thoughts on the offense, and it’s safe to say he was impressed.
“It’s a mix of the old-school Wisconsin Football with some nuances, too,” Hallman said about the offense. “As far as Coach [Jeff] Grimes and his scheme, it’s awesome. I don’t want to give too much away, but you guys are going to see. It’s going to be such a show to watch because it mixes that old-school Wisconsin Football, running guys over, and being physical in the run game.
“But, it also mixes in a nice passing attack and a nice intermediate shot here and a nice deep shot here and stuff like that. I think the offense and us have been going at it, and it’s been fun.”
While Grimes’s offense is predicated on a physical run game, the quarterback will still have an extremely important role, as the Badgers want to create explosive plays in the air.
After undergoing an adjustment period, Billy Edwards, who came into the room as the clear-cut starter, is starting to settle in. In addition, backup quarterback Danny O’Neil showed some flashes, indicating he could compete for the starting job in 2026.
“The quarterback play has been great,” Hallman said. “I think Billy [Edwards Jr.] is doing a really, really good job getting acclimated. I just had a long conversation with him today. He actually came in while me and Nyzier [Fourqurean] were watching film together and he watched film with us. We were all watching film together. So, I think Billy’s going to be really great for us. I think Danny O’Neil, the backup quarterback, is going to be really good. I think Carter Smith is really good.”
But, the overall offense impressed the former All-American defensive back, with the run game setting the tone.
“I just think the running back play with DD (Darrion Dupree) and Dilin [Jones], they’ve also been good,” Hallman said. “And the O-Line play is really, really consistent. I love those guys just how they get dirty. I love Joe Brunner the way he plays. He’s old school like bury a guy in the dirt old-school. I think they’re going to be really good. And receiver play has been really good. Getting transfers such as [Jayden Ballard] has only upped the competition, upped the standard.
“For us as a defense, since I’ve been here, I would say it’s been the most challenging offense to go against. They’ve caught us off guard. They have so many eye tricky. They definitely make sure your eyes are in the right place and your mind isn’t just wandering out there because if you’re not paying attention, next thing you know, you got a 50-yard bomb going over your head. So, I’m super excited for what the offense can be and their potential. I think they have a great group of guys.”
Wisconsin will have quite a number of challenges in front of it this season, having one of the toughest schedules in the nation. But, they’ll hope that their offense has improved under coordinator Jeff Grimes, looking to get back to their roots in 2025.