Jeff Grimes is looking for specific qualities in a quarterback before he considers them suitable to lead his offense. The new offensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin has outlined certain physical traits and key mental attributes that he needs to assess through film analysis. These characteristics are evaluated on a spectrum—where exceptional talent in one area can compensate for a lack in another—before Grimes decides whether to pursue a transfer or a high school quarterback. Since joining the team, he has played a crucial role in overhauling the quarterback roster for the second time in three years.
Grimes and the Wisconsin coaching staff are optimistic about Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., who committed to the Badgers in December. Edwards is set to be the starter this fall, provided there are no injuries or unexpected developments. He exemplifies the combination of size, arm strength, agility, and mental sharpness that Grimes and his team prioritize. Grimes noted that he prefers a quarterback who excels at running rather than a traditional runner who can throw, but he’s open to adjusting his system if a player has exceptional athleticism.
Under Grimes, Wisconsin is implementing a new offensive strategy, moving away from Phil Longo’s Air Raid approach to a system that emphasizes the ground game with a wide zone scheme. With over 20 years of experience coaching offensive lines and previous roles at BYU, Baylor, and Kansas, Grimes is committed to the running game while also aiming to capitalize on big plays through the passing game. For this reason, having quarterbacks of adequate height and build is essential. Edwards, listed at 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds last season, possesses the stature to navigate the pocket effectively, even while on the move.
Edwards’ athleticism is another key factor, as he ranked third in the Big Ten for passing yards per game and had a completion rate of 65%. Although his rushing statistics appear modest, he still demonstrated significant effectiveness on the ground during his time in Maryland, with 13 rushing touchdowns in three years, including seven in 2023.
Despite being shorter than Edwards, the dual-threat capabilities of another quarterback, O’Neil, surpass those of Braedyn Locke, who struggled with rushing yardage during his time as the starting quarterback at Wisconsin. Grimes indicated that the offense won’t rely on a read-option system like when Locke was healthy, but he emphasizes the need for a quarterback who can at least pose a running threat to the defense. Quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton, who is stepping into his role after a decade of coaching receivers, stresses the importance of mobility to avoid negative plays.
Grimes admires Edwards’ resilience under pressure as a starter, which is a valuable trait for the quarterbacks he intends to recruit. There is a possibility of adding another quarterback during the spring transfer window as the Badgers currently have three scholarship players and walk-on Milos Spasojevic in the mix. One of those scholarship players is Carter Smith, a highly regarded 2025 recruit from Florida who stands at 6-3 and has impressive stats that align with what Grimes seeks in a quarterback.
These desired traits are also reflected in the high school quarterbacks Wisconsin is scouting for future recruiting classes. Players like Ryan Hopkins and Bowe Bentley, both listed at 6-3, are being closely monitored as recruiting efforts intensify. Hopkins received an offer while Longo was still with the team, while Bentley’s recruitment has significantly picked up after an impressive performance during the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
