The Wisconsin Badgers are stuck in neutral this fall. They are 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Back-to-back losses, including a rough 27-10 fall at home to Maryland, have left fans restless. And now, they walk into a match that will test them.
They face No. 20 Michigan in Ann Arbor. While the match is nerve-racking, the Badgers also come in with a new face under center, making things more challenging. Luke Fickell has decided to hand the keys of the Badger offense to Hunter Simmons, a name many fans are just starting to learn.
Why is Luke Fickell Replacing Starter Billy Edwards Jr. with Hunter Simmons? And Who is He?
Not so long ago, ESPN’s Pete Thamel took to X and wrote, “Wisconsin will start Hunter Simmons at quarterback at Michigan today, per ESPN sources. He’s a grad transfer from Southern Illinois who played the final series against Maryland and threw a touchdown pass.”
While that cameo against Maryland was enough to open the door for Simmons, the question is why Simmons, and why now?
Wisconsin will start Hunter Simmons at quarterback at Michigan today, per ESPN sources. He’s a grad transfer from Southern Illinois who played the final series against Maryland and threw a touchdown pass. https://t.co/m3w5CX94nr
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 4, 2025
Injuries are the recurring nightmare of Wisconsin football. Starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has been battling a sprained knee since the opener against Miami (Ohio). He tried to return to the match against Maryland on Sept. 20, but lasted just one series before being forced out.
Edwards’ timeline for return is still unclear. That leaves Fickell in a bind, needing someone steady enough to steer the Badger ship against one of the nation’s most formidable defenses. To make matters worse, the injury bug didn’t stop there.
Veteran center Jake Renfro is also sidelined, stripping Wisconsin of one of its offensive anchors. Senior Davis Heinzen, a transfer from Central Michigan, will step in at center. With all the changes, the Badgers need a calm in the chaos. And that’s where Simmons comes in.
first start for Hunter Simmons today@MarkTauscher65 caught up with @CoachFick on the field ahead of today’s game at Michigan.
Presented by Zimbrick Fish Hatchery Road pic.twitter.com/EhiKfnX2AV
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 4, 2025
Simmons is a grad transfer from Southern Illinois, and he has plenty of tape showing he can deliver. In 2024, he played five games, with three starts, before an injury ended his season. He threw for 852 yards and three touchdowns, and, the best part, he had zero interceptions. Simmons broke the 300-yard barrier twice, taking down SEMO for 341 yards and South Dakota for 306.
Before joining Southern Illinois, Simmons led his team to an undefeated 6-0 season at Marion High in a COVID-shortened senior year. He completed 108 of 168 passes for 1,693 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding five rushing scores. That performance earned him Southern Illinoisan Football Player of the Year honours. That kind of production means he is more than just a placeholder.
𝐐𝐁 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄: The #Badgers will start grad transfer Hunter Simmons versus Michigan!
What do YOU think of Luke Fickell’s decision?
: https://t.co/fAfBCzXqSJ https://t.co/JJhzZe8kX5 pic.twitter.com/geuWV0x9Vd— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) October 4, 2025
This season, Simmons has already had his brief moments. Against Maryland, Simmons went 7-for-9, throwing for 70 yards and a touchdown in limited action. That is the kind of efficient, no-mistakes performance Wisconsin desperately needs after Danny O’Neil’s rollercoaster ride of five touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
With Edwards on the shelf and O’Neil set for his third start, Simmons has been tapped to bring a steady hand. The real question is, can he deliver when the lights are brightest? For a Wisconsin team sitting at .500 and searching for momentum, his first start against Michigan could set the tone for the rest of the year.
