Why Luke Fickell, Wisconsin football might not name QB2 in 2026
As Ryan Hopkins and Deuce Adams compete for opportunities behind Colton Joseph, Luke Fickell is hesitant to designate a No. 2 quarterback.
Madison – As of now, the Wisconsin football staff has not chosen a backup quarterback for the 2026 season, according to head coach Luke Fickell. The coach did not indicate a preference between Deuce Adams or Ryan Hopkins, stating, "I don’t know that we’ll ever designate a whole lot of who is the No. 2." Both players received second-team quarterback reps in practice, with Colton Joseph set as the starter.
The team did not publish a depth chart before the season opener against Notre Dame. Both Adams and Hopkins show versatility in extending plays with their mobility. Other quarterbacks include Danny O’Neil and Carter Smith, who played during the 2025 season due to injuries. Quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton did not name a frontrunner in August but expressed confidence in making a decision by the end of the preseason.
Fickell expressed contentment without a clearly defined QB2 at this stage, stating, "If we get to that point and we got to make some of those decisions, we’ll have to make it."
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