After only one season with the Wisconsin Badgers football team, it's looking like starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is already on his way out of Madison. On Monday, breaking news arrived that the veteran signal-caller is entering the transfer portal.
He arrived in town with high hopes to get the Badgers back on track, but an early-season torn ACL was heartbreaking for him. Head coach Luke Fickell said there was still a chance that Van Dyke would return to the team as QB1 in 2025, but we now know that won't be the case.
Once again, the Badgers will be taking a look at the transfer portal themselves to bring in a new QB. Fickell can't waste any time in recruiting a new signal-caller, with these three playmakers being at the top of our list:
3. Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman
This is an obvious choice, as Conner Weigman is ranked the top transfer quarterback by 247Sports. Weigman is expected to have a boatload of offers this cycle, but Wisconsin can surely sell him on the fact that he can start right away for one of the most storied programs in the Big Ten.
Shortly after his transfer decision was announced, Weigman was linked with multiple programs, including Wisconsin. Fickell needs to get on the horn with him as soon as possible. Maybe an official visit would get put on the books soon?
2. UNLV transfer Matthew Sluka
As you'll be able to tell from this piece, we want the Badgers to make a splash at quarterback. Is that where UNLV's Matthew Sluka can come in? There was plenty of drama surrounding Sluka earlier this year, as he left the Rebels over some NIL issues.
He's now looking for a new team. Before things went down with UNLV, Sluka tossed for 318 yards and six touchdowns in three games. He's got a bright future, but we must now wait and see where his next college stop will be.
1. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter
One of the most electric QBs available is no question going to be Liberty's Kaidon Salter. He's coming off a fantastic year for Liberty, tossing for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 587 yards on the ground and seven more scores. He's planning to visit Syracuse, Colorado and Florida State already.
With Jeff Grimes set to take over as offensive coordinator, he's potentially going to want a dual-threat QB to make plays for him. Salter is that kind of playmaker and could be a stud for Wisconsin. There's going to be stiff competition for Salter, Sluka AND Wiegman, but it's time for Fickell, Grimes and others to get to work recruiting.