Ryan Hopkins is getting a ton of praise around Wisconsin. He's a true freshman, and yet he's taken the Badgers by storm, becoming truly a remarkable story. Quarterback coach Kenny Guiton said he's already taking snaps with the No. 2 offense. Fans are starting to wonder if he actually breaks camp as the backup behind starter Colton Joseph. He's been that good in spring ball.
Joseph was asked about Hopkins during his media availability and, with a huge grin on his face, told the reporters, "He's been balling!" Yet, Joseph didn't stop there and wanted to clarify that, as much as the big plays get to be on social media and people want to talk about those deep throws or tight passes, that's not what has impressed Joseph about Hopkins.
Ryan Hopkins has impressed Colton Joseph with his decision-making
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Joseph has been impressed with Hopkins' ability to handle his reads as a true freshman. A skill that Joseph even admits he's still working on, himself as a junior. He said, "It's not even the big plays he makes, the most impressive part, he has a shot call, and he identifies the pressure and gets it to the checkdown for a 10-yard gain."
Hopkins' ability to be poised in the pocket, read the defense, and make smart decisions shows that he's not rising the depth chart because of his ability to gunsling but because he can actually handle the pressure and decision-making of the quarterback position.
He's only a true freshman, and it truly looks like he may be the next star quarterback for the Badgers. There's still a lot to play out, and the Badgers haven't gone fully live, but Hopkins is shining and taking the spotlight even away from the slew of other new quarterbacks that Fickell brought in. Joseph knows he's QB1, but it's probably interesting to quarterbacks like Deuce Adams and Carter Smith to watch Hopkins rise the food chain and get lots of hype.
Yet, for Badger fans, there's real excitement for what Hopkins can do in the future, and even Joseph sees the incredible upside for the young signal-caller.
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