With starting quarterback Jack Coan being out indefinitely with a foot injury, redshirt-freshman Graham Mertz will start in his place. Mertz was an all-state quarterback in the state of Kansas as a junior and senior. His senior year he was named the Kansas Gatorade Football Player of the Year and played in the All-American game where he was named MVP after throwing for a record five touchdowns. The former four-star recruit was also rated as one of the top pocket passers in his class by ESPN. After redshirting last season, Mertz will have an opportunity to lead the Badgers this season and help them avenge last year’s loss at Illinois. Wisconsin was heavily favored and currently the sixth-best team in the country before falling 24-23. The Badgers missed a field goal and had two turnovers in the final 18 minutes of play. 

The Badgers kick off their season by hosting Illinois on October 24.