Over the past two decades, Wisconsin football has had its ups and downs at the quarterback position. From future NFL Hall of Famers to players struggling in their lone year as starters, the Badgers have seen it all under center in recent years.
This season everything rides on the right arm of Graham Mertz, who has seen his fair share of ups and down throughout his first two years as lead signal caller in Madison. From a dynamic debut performance that had Patrick Mahomes talking, to struggles taking care of the football it has been an inconsistent pair of seasons for the Kansas native.
Ahead of Mertz’s 2022 season, here is a look at the recent history of Badger signal callers:
2000 Passing Leader: Brooks Bollinger (52.6%, 1479 yards, 10 touchdowns, 7 interceptions)
Oct 13, 2001; Columbus, OH, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Brooks Bollinger (5) throws with pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Na’il Diggs (32) at Ohio Stadium. The Badgers beat the Buckeyes 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
2001 Passing Leader: Brooks Bollinger (51.4%, 1257 yards, 6 touchdowns, 4 interceptions)
Oct 13, 2001; Columbus, OH, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Brooks Bollinger (5) throws with pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Na’il Diggs (32) at Ohio Stadium. The Badgers beat the Buckeyes 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
2002 Passing Leader: Brooks Bollinger (53.5%, 1758 yards, 14 touchdowns, 4 interceptions)
Oct 13, 2001; Columbus, OH, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Brooks Bollinger (5) throws with pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Na’il Diggs (32) at Ohio Stadium. The Badgers beat the Buckeyes 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
2003 Passing Leader: Jim Sorgi (56.5%, 2251, 17 touchdowns, 9 interceptions)
Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi (19) gets sandwiched by Auburn defenders Reggie Torbor and Karlos Dansby, causing him to fumble in the fourth quarter. Auburn defeated Wisconsin 28-14 before 55,109 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville Dec. 31, 2003.
Music City Bowl
2004 Passing Leader: John Stocco (52.6%, 1999 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7 interceptions)
November 4, 2006; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback (7) John Stocco looks to pass as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker (40) Dan Connor defends at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jeff Hanisch
2005 Passing Leader: John Stocco (60.1%, 2920 yards, 21 touchdowns, 9…