Badgers should tap into fountain of QB youth

The quarterback position is arguably the most difficult position to learn in all of sports. There’s a reason why rookie quarterbacks struggle throughout the learning process. Pre-snap audibles, reading defenses, and simply managing an 11-man unit are no walks in the park; nor are they one-year projects by any means.

For Wisconsin’s sake, I hope that head coach Bret Bielema understands this; but I’m not completely sure that he does.

Last season, Bielema gave senior quarterback Tyler Donovan the starting nod over junior Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge, who made six starts for the Wildcats during his freshman season.

Donovan struggled last season against Illinois and Penn State on the road, throwing two picks in each contest, both of which ended in UW losses.

Am I blaming Donovan for these sub-par performances away from Madison in the Big Ten? Absolutely not. Like I said, quarterback is a near-impossible trade to master and good decision-making is a critical part of the long-term learning curve.

That’s why Evridge should have been under center for the Badgers’ 13 games last season.

Well, maybe.

I’ll give Bielema the benefit of the doubt. Evridge was nagged by injuries during the spring of 2007. Perhaps Donovan was that much more game-ready last August when Bielema made the ultimate decision to go with the Hartland, Wis. native. If that were the case, then the second-year head coach made the correct decision.

But if Evridge was anywhere near Donovan in terms of readiness to compete, the kid from Papillon, Neb. should have been thrown under the gun, because in turn, the 2008 Badgers would be that much better, even if the 2007 squad lost, say, one more game than it did with Donovan.

I hate crying over spilt milk and I realize that hindsight is 20/20. It’s easy for me to sit here and point fingers at the Wisconsin coaching staff after a disappointing 2007 campaign. I’m only bringing this up for one reason: The future.

The UW quarterback depth chart is full of eager learners chomping at the bit for a chance to lead the beloved Badgers in the shrine that is Camp Randall Stadium. Evridge is the favorite to be the UW signal caller in ’08, followed by junior Dustin Sherer, sophomore Scott Tolzien, and freshmen James Stallons and Curt Phillips. All have talent and potential, but none – including Donovan a year ago – have really stood out enough to demand the starting role.

To me, that’s a problem.

Ohio State, Illinois, and Michigan finished 1,2,3 in Big Ten play ahead of Wisconsin in 2007. Chad Henne was a four-year starter for the Wolverines, Juice Williams was a second-year starter for the Illini and will be a four-year starter by his senior season, and Todd Boeckman will be under center again this season after leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship Game appearance in January.

Get the point?

If Bielema goes with Evridge in 2008, it will be one-and-done for No. 4. Then comes Sherer for a year, then Tolzien, then probably Phillips. In terms of talent and readiness to play come their respective senior seasons, that may in fact be the correct order. But if Bielema keeps throwing inexperienced seniors under the gun, the Badgers will never be able to compete with the nation’s (or Big Ten’s) elite.

It takes more than a year to become an upper-echelon quarterback in Division I football. It’s nice to reward seniors who have worked hard and paid their dues on the sidelines with the starting spot. But as the coach of a Top 25 football team, you have to put emotions aside and do what’s best for the program. If that means going with the younger guy who isn’t quite ready, in order to rebuild for the following season, then so be it, because if that doesn’t happen, Wisconsin will never get over the hump.

Sorry Allan, Dustin, and Scott, but if UW wants to take the next step, one of you is going to get screwed.