Even the Big Ten Network is buzzing about Wisconsin freshman Ryan Hopkins

The Big Ten Network is making its rounds from training camp to training camp across the conference. Today, they were on site at Camp Randall for Wisconsin, and there was a lot of excitement about how much better the offense looks under Colton Joseph and with the depth at running back. Of course, the offensive line got plenty of attention too, but what came as a surprise to the Big Ten Network analysts but will come as no surprise to Wisconsin fans is the play of true freshman Ryan Hopkins.

Hopkins has been turning heads since spring, and he came to fall camp not missing a single beat from the show he put on a few months ago. However, that buzz hasn't spread beyond Badger Nation. He's kept mostly a Wisconsin secret until Jake Butt and Dave Revsine showed up to Camp Randall.

They were giving a lot of attention to the Badger quarterbacks' room, fully acknowledging the last few seasons have been measurable in that regard. The injury situation has completely derailed every season under Luke Fickell. So, it's not a surprise to have the BTN crew watching the No. 2 quarterback, but they were shocked.

Wisconsin's QB room is remarkable deep according to the Big Ten Network

Related: Luke Fickell has even his biggest doubters changing their minds, and it's about time

"I know we were all impressed with the freshman Ryan Hopkins," Revsine said. "He had a really good day." Jake Butt chimed in with, "He made some throws that I can't remember seeing in many years, and he made a few of them out at practice today."

They all concluded that the future is very bright, with Hopkins waiting in the wings and only a freshman. The surprising part is not that Hopkins continues to showcase he's better than any recruiting service ever gave him credit for. That's pretty obvious at this point; it's that the Big Ten Network noticed Hopkins on their own, and not only was it a caveat, "he's good for a freshman." They were gushing because he's "Good. Period."

This acclaim from the Big Ten crew is important for a couple of reasons. The first is that this crew is unbiased (at least towards Wisconsin). Revsine went to Northwestern and Butt played tight end at Michigan. So, this isn't Wisconsin media trying to gas up something that isn't there. This crew doesn't have to mention anything or even look for something like this in their reporting.

The other important thing is that the emergence of Hopkins is huge for the room and the depth chart. The Badgers have Colton Joseph, one of the prized quarterback transfers last season, and then Deuce Adams, a player waiting for his chance that shows a lot of promise. Carter Smith, who now has experience at Wisconsin and as a starter. There's even Danny O'Neil, who's recovering from injury and was a starter at San Diego State and was No. 2 on the depth chart last season.

So, if that room suffers AGAIN this season. The depth is remarkably better, and don't be surprised to see Hopkins be the guy who takes the snaps. He's that good and that impressive; even the Big Ten Network is seeing it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow