Ahead of the 2026 college football season, The Athletic compiled a list ranking every projected starting quarterback in the country.
Together, Antonio Morales and Sam Khan Jr. ranked all 138 projected starters in a list that includes the Wisconsin Badgers’ newest quarterback, Colton Joseph.
In total, there are seven tiers, but Joseph’s ranking means far more than what tier they placed him in. The Old Dominion transfer found himself in Tier 4, but he was listed ahead of more than 100 quarterbacks around the nation.
“Joseph, the 2025 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, is a true dual-threat passer who produced at a high level against P4 competition with his legs (179 rushing yards and two TDs vs. Indiana) and arm (276 passing yards and two TDs vs. Virginia Tech). He provides some excitement for a Wisconsin program that needs some juice,” they wrote about Joseph, who was ranked No. 36.
“He’s a great athlete who can make plays with his legs,” a G6 general manager said. “He’s got some limitations as a passer that I wonder how that will translate to the Big Ten level. When used correctly, playing to his strengths, he can be productive. He’s not going to fit everybody’s system.”
For added context, a Tier 4 quarterback is listed as follows: “Some of the stars of tomorrow, like inexperienced QBs who coaches believe in but lack a proven resume, and there are also veterans who are looking to redeem themselves and journeymen looking to make the most of their last stops.”
Overall, there were only two Big Ten quarterbacks listed in Tier 1. Tier 2 features just one, while five are in Tier 3. Joseph is one of the conference’s four quarterbacks in Tier 4.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Where The Athletic places Wisconsin’s Colton Joseph among 138 QBs
