This one probably qualifies as the biggest surprise in all of the quarterback competitions waged throughout various summer camps this month.
Citing three sources, Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Tanner McEvoy will start at quarterback in Wisconsin’s season opener against LSU in Houston. McEvoy and the incumbent, Joel Stave, have been fighting for the starting job throughout spring practice and on into camp.
Stave started all 13 games for the Badgers last season, while the 6-6, 222-pound McEvoy was moved to safety -- played in 10 games, started three -- before returning to quarterback in the spring. Stave is the dictionary-definition of a pocket-passer, while McEvoy possess the ability to beat a team with both his arm and his legs. It was likely that dual-threat ability that played a significant role in the reported decision.
If the report comes to fruition -- UW coaches have been very tight-lipped about the starter and don’t plan on announcing one prior to the opener -- it would continue what’s been a very strange football odyssey for McEvoy.
In early August of 2012, South Carolina announced that McEvoy had decided to transfer from the Gamecocks. The announcement came a week or so after the player was arrested on alcohol-related charges.
After spending the 2012 season at the JUCO level, McEvoy signed with Wisconsin in February of 2013. Prior to being moved to the other side of the ball, McEvoy was the victim of an on-campus mugging last July.