Why Wisconsin QB Nick Evers chose the transfer portal

Quarterback Evers, one of the first transfers to the University of Wisconsin football program after coach Luke Fickell took over, announced Saturday his intention to re-enter the transfer portal, which opens for FBS players on Tuesday.

Evers was one of three quarterbacks to join Wisconsin during Fickell's first offseason with the program, but he was among scout team leaders and third-team quarterbacks last fall. I went back and forth. He appeared to be in the same position during spring practice, and after seeing a drop in third-team snaps last week, Evers decided to look for other opportunities.

Evers met with Fickell on Saturday and then announced on social media that his time in Madison was over.

“It was very professional,” Evers said of his meeting with Fickell. “And I felt like there was mutual respect. I think the realization for me was to just accept the situation as it is and be professional. I didn't want to make an emotional decision, but I wanted to make a special decision.” I wanted to carefully consider the situation and timing and make a decision.

“The hardest part of all of this is leaving my brothers in that locker room, leaving a lot of great people in that building, and leaving the great city of Madison behind.”

The portal will open on Tuesday and close on April 30th. The Badgers have held seven of their allotted 15 spring practices thus far, with the eighth scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Evers admitted it took him a little while to adjust to offensive coordinator Phil Longo's system last spring, but he told BadgerExtra on Sunday that he was feeling good by the fall. He didn't take any snaps last season, but appeared calmer and more confident as a decision-maker in practice this spring.

“I take responsibility for the slow start, but I worked hard to close the gap and felt like I could make a meaningful contribution to winning the game,” Evers said. “Coach Longo has very high standards, but he doesn't have higher standards than mine. We're all still developing, but from a knowledge, physical and skill set standpoint, we're better than ever. I feel like I’m getting better and I’m grateful for that growth.”

Redshirt sophomore Bradyn Lock and senior Tyler Van Dyke are in tight competition for the first-team quarterback spot in spring practice.

Evers expressed a desire to get more chances with the top offensive group, saying his ability on the field and in the playbook warrants those shots. When that didn't happen, he figured he needed to look elsewhere.

“I’m a competitor and I want to compete,” Evers said. “At the end of the day, they make the decisions, so it was my job to execute every moment I was given, and I made the most of them.”