The spring transfer portal window in college football has opened, signaling two weeks of busy transfer activity before the 2024 season begins. One notable player who entered the portal is former North Carolina and Arkansas quarterback Jacolby Criswell, who has strong connections to Wisconsin. Criswell played under Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo at North Carolina from 2020 to 2022 before transferring to Arkansas for the 2023 season. Despite being a four-star recruit in the class of 2020, Criswell has not seen much playing time during his college career, serving as a backup at both North Carolina and Arkansas.
During his time at North Carolina, Criswell backed up quarterbacks Sam Howell and Drake Maye, attempting only 31 total passes over three years. His brief stint at Arkansas in 2023 saw him play in just four games, completing 17 of 27 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns. With Wisconsin already having a established starter in Tyler Van Dyke, it is unlikely that Criswell would transfer to a place where he would continue to be a backup. Additionally, the Badgers have quarterback Braedyn Locke in the mix, which may discourage them from pursuing Criswell unless they see untapped potential in him.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Criswell’s future and potential landing spots, his connection to Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator gives him an inside track on whether the Badgers would consider adding him to the roster. The decision may ultimately come down to whether Criswell is seeking an opportunity to compete for a starting role or if he is willing to play a backup role once again. Wisconsin fans can stay updated on the latest transfer portal news by following @TheBadgersWire on X and liking their page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinions. Ben Kenney covers the latest developments on Badgers Wire.
