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Are the Badgers in the mix for Oklahoma transfer QB Caleb Williams?

By Christian Borman

Dec 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The college football landscape has been changed dramatically by the transfer portal. It gives a lot of schools a chance at some really good players that they wouldn’t normally have a shot at recruiting the first time around. The Wisconsin Badgers could be one of those teams in this case. There is some buzz going around that the Badgers could be in on former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams, who took over the starting job for the Sooners over Spencer Rattler this season.

Now, we all know better than to take a random Twitter account’s ‘rumors’ seriously, but there are some reports on 247Sports message boards where insiders are listing Wisconsin as an intriguing option for Caleb Williams.

It sounds like Caleb Williams is intrigued by Wisconsin because of Paul Chryst and what he was able to do with Russell Wilson when he played for Wisconsin in 2011. Apparently, another contributing factor would be who the Badgers hire as their next offensive coordinator. With Joe Rudolph leaving Wisconsin for Virginia Tech, there is an opening for the position. If the Badgers fill that position with a coach that Williams likes, that could potentially give the Badgers a real shot here.

There are also rumors that the Badgers could host Williams on a visit as early as this week. As of right now, there’s seemingly nothing guaranteed or imminent, but the fact that there’s smoke is exciting for Badger fans. They never really get to be a part of something like this.

Right now, USC is the favorite to land Williams. With Lincoln Riley going to Southern Cal, it would make sense for Williams to follow his head coach there. Georgia, the defending national champs, are also linked to Williams.

Coming out of high school, Williams was a 5-star recruit out of Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C. He was the no. 2 quarterback of the 2021 class and seventh overall.

This season, Williams broke onto the scene for the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry Game in the big comeback win over Texas. He finished the season playing in 11 games and throwing for 1,916 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added 442 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

While it’s exciting to hear that the Badgers are linked to a potentially huge addition to the team, it’s important to temper expectations. There are some big-name teams that are also in on him that the Badgers would have to beat out.

But if Williams decided to come to Wisconsin, it would give the Badgers another Russell Wilson-like quarterback back in Madison and should immediately make them favorites to win the Big Ten West and serious contenders for the Big Ten title.