Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
As the start of training camp nears, several Big 10 teams are dealing with uncertainty at the most important position on the field. Here's the first installment of Quarterback Conundrums, a look at an upcoming competition under center. First up is Wisconsin, which finished spring practice much like it started, with few answers at quarterback.
The candidates
Allan Evridge (6-2, 212, Sr.): The transfer from Kansas State appeared in seven games last fall for the Badgers, completing 5 of 12 passes for 66 yards. He started six games as a redshirt freshman at Kansas State in 2005, passing for 1,365 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. He competed for the starting job last fall and lost out to Tyler Donovan. Has good mobility. And, he's a lefty.
Dustin Sherer (6-4, 213, Jr.): He has three collegiate pass attempts, one of which was intercepted in 2006. His playing time last fall was confined to taking the final snap of a win against Indiana. He has good size but lacks polish at times. Had a strong finish to spring ball.
Scott Tolzien (6-3, 200, So.): Tolzien has even less game experience than Sherer, sitting out all of last season after redshirting in 2006. But he performed well toward the end of spring practice and should challenge the other two in camp. The cerebral quarterback could steady an offense that needs more of a game manager than a playmaker.
Who they're replacing
Tyler Donovan: In his only season as the starter, Donovan had 2,607 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Ranked third in the Big Ten in pass efficiency (134 rating). Led Badgers to a 9-3 regular season record and an Outback Bowl berth.
Spring skinny
All three contenders had their moments in spring ball, but none created the separation offensive coordinator Paul Chryst wanted to see. Evridge moved the offense well in the spring game, but the drives he led resulted in only three points. Sherer led the unit to three scores and had two passes dropped in the end zone. Tolzien gained steam toward the end of spring ball but tossed two interceptions in the spring game.
Summer storylines
- Wisconsin's sick bay was full after spring ball, but it didn't appear to include Sherer. Then the junior was spotted on State Street in Madison on crutches. Coach Bret Bielema didn't say much about the sighting, but any lingering injury could shake up the competition.
- The longer Evridge goes without securing the job, the more likely it could slip through his fingers. Evridge is the most experienced candidate by far, and as a fifth-year senior, this is his final shot. He must eliminate the occasional brain cramp and provide the steady leadership Wisconsin needs.
- Chryst will pick the best candidate, but he might be looking to the future as well. Evridge would be another one-year starter at QB, while Sherer or Tolzien could build continuity at the position for 2009.
- The Badgers boast the deepest rushing attack in the Big Ten with four capable backs (P.J. Hill, Lance Smith, Zach Brown and exciting redshirt freshman John Clay), so they will be a run-first, run-second team in 2008. Wisconsin is never over-reliant on its quarterback and needs someone who can limit mistakes and make plays from time to time.
Prediction
This is still Evridge's job to lose. He has the right mix of arm strength and versatility, and he's been in the fire before, albeit in 2005. If Sherer is limited in camp, his chances of starting the opener against Akron look slim. Tolzien is a smart player who seems to fit the mold of previous Wisconsin quarterbacks, but he doesn't seem quite ready yet.
Adam Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
