Former Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook transfers to Florida State

Well, at least Florida isn’t as bad in the winter.

Former Wisconsin Badgers starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook has decided to transfer to Florida State for his final season of collegiate eligibility. After entering into the transfer portal on Feb. 27, Hornibrook will provide some needed quarterback depth to the Seminoles.

Hornibrook announced his transfer on Instagram Sunday morning.

After a less-than-optimal first season in Tallahassee, FSU head coach Willie Taggart was in a tough situation following the dismissal of Deondre Francois. With only redshirt sophomore James Blackmon on scholarship headed into the spring, Hornibrook becomes one of a few transfer quarterbacks the Seminoles have targeted.

Hornibrook played in 35 games for the Badgers, starting 32 with a career record of 26-6. After an up-and-down season in 2017, he ended the year with a four-touchdown performance against Miami in the Orange Bowl and his trajectory seemed to be moving in the right direction. However, his 2018 season included multiple games missed due to injury, a completion percentage under 60 percent (59.9), and a 13:11 touchdown-to-interception ration in nine games.

For the Badgers moving forward, three or four potential options at quarterback seem viable heading into spring practices beginning March 26.

Junior Jack Coan will enter as the perceived favorite to win the job after playing in five games and starting four last season, including the Pinstripe Bowl victory over Miami. Coan ended the season with a 5:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Early enrollee Graham Mertz will be the fans’ favorite to be the starter as the highest-profile quarterback recruit in school history.

Redshirt sophomore Danny Vanden Boom and redshirt freshman Chase Wolf will also be factors in the competition. Vanden Boom played sparingly at the beginning of last season, throwing a touchdown on his only pass attempt. Wolf, an Ohio native who received an Ohio State offer late in his recruitment, also features a live arm and shouldn’t be counted out of the competition.