PORTAL QB COLTON JOSEPH: Why He Brings a Program-Changing Skill Set to Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s priorities in the transfer portal are clear, and quarterback sits at the top of the list. As the Badgers search for a difference maker under center, one name has quickly emerged as a serious option: Colton Joseph.

The Old Dominion transfer quarterback is visiting Wisconsin early in the portal window, and the interest is real on both sides. Joseph is coming off one of the most productive seasons by any quarterback in the Group of Five, and his dual-threat ability gives him a skill set Wisconsin has lacked in recent years.

Background and eligibility

Joseph checks the physical boxes at roughly 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. More importantly, he brings experience. After playing multiple seasons at Old Dominion Monarchs, Joseph enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining, making him more than a one-year stopgap option.

For Wisconsin, that matters. The Badgers are not just looking for a short-term fix. They are looking for a quarterback who can stabilize the position and grow within the offense over multiple seasons.

Elite production as a dual threat

Joseph’s 2025 season numbers immediately stand out.

He threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 1,007 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. That is 3,631 total yards and 34 total touchdowns in a single season.

Over his career at Old Dominion, Joseph totaled more than 4,200 passing yards, 1,600 rushing yards, and 56 combined touchdowns. Those are not situational rushing numbers. His legs are a central part of the offense, particularly in the red zone and on critical downs.

Nationally, Joseph ranked inside the top ten in total offense per game, a rare mark that highlights how much of Old Dominion’s production ran through him.

Proof against higher competition

One of the most important data points on Joseph’s résumé came against a Power Conference opponent. In Old Dominion’s win at Virginia Tech, Joseph completed 16 of 22 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score.

That performance earned him Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors and placed him on the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 list, recognition reserved for the top quarterback performances in the country each week.

For portal evaluations, that matters. Joseph has already shown he can elevate his play when the level of competition rises.

Why the fit makes sense at Wisconsin

The appeal for Wisconsin goes beyond raw statistics.

Joseph forces defenses to play true 11-on-11 football. His running ability changes how opponents defend third downs, red-zone possessions, and zone coverage looks. Defenses must account for him as a runner, which opens throwing windows and creates more favorable numbers in the run game.

In short, he brings:

A legitimate quarterback run threat, Proven red-zone production, and the ability to create when plays break down.

Those are areas Wisconsin has actively been trying to improve as it reshapes its offensive identity.

Areas for development.

A complete evaluation also includes what still needs growth.

Joseph’s completion percentage has hovered just under 60 percent, and interceptions have shown up at times when he presses for big plays. For Wisconsin, the bet would be that improved structure, protection, and skill-position talent can help raise his efficiency without limiting his aggressiveness.

The upside remains clear. The questions are about consistency, not capability.

The bigger picture for the Badgers

Quarterback play defines programs in modern college football. Wisconsin knows it needs a player who can lift the offense, not just manage it.

Colton Joseph offers proven production, legitimate dual-threat ability, big-game experience, and multiple years of eligibility. Combined with an early portal visit to the Wisconsin Badgers, this is the type of recruitment that can move quickly.

If Wisconsin is serious about changing its offensive ceiling moving forward, Joseph represents the kind of portal swing that can reshape the trajectory of the program.