Wisconsin quarterback Tanner McEvoy victim of robbery in Madison

Tanner McEvoy, a sophomore JUCO transfer and one of three quarterbacks expected to compete for Wisconsin's starting job this fall, was the victim of what Madison police are calling a "strong armed robbery" early Sunday morning in Madison. According to police, McEvoy suffered minor injuries and had his wallet, watch and iPhone stolen in what is currently being investigated as a random occurence. According to the team, he resumed team activities on Monday.

"First and foremost we are happy that Tanner is physically ok after this attack," UW football coach Gary Andersen said in a statement released by the team. "It's terrible to get a call about something like this but we are grateful the injuries were not serious."

According to the police report, four suspects -- two male and two female -- were seen fleeing the scene.

A 20-year old Madison man needed to be treated for two head cuts following a downtown mugging early Sunday morning. The victim was struck in the head near the intersection of Wisconsin Ave. and E. Dayton St. around 1:45 a.m. He told police his wallet, watch, and iPhone were stolen. Witnesses reported seeing two males and two females near the victim at the time of the attack. All fled toward the Capitol Square.

McEvoy, previously considered the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback among the nation's 2013 quarterbacks, committed to Wisconsin in early February. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Hillsdale, N.J., native previously played JUCO ball at Arizona Western after transferring from South Carolina following an arrest prior to his freshman year for speeding and misdemeanor driving after consuming alcohol. McEvoy was briefly reinstated after a suspension by Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier, but elected to transfer in August 2012.

Given his status as a JUCO transfer, McEvoy didn't arrive on campus until this summer and has thus far maintained a relatively low profile. His size and previous high school experience as a wide receiver has led some sources to tab him as the favorite to win Wisconsin's starting quarterback job, especially considering the spread-based offense first-year head coach Gary Andersen is implementing. Sophomore Joel Stave and sixth-year senior Curt Phillips are the other two candidates for the No. 1 job.

The robbery is the second attack on a high-profile UW athlete in Madison over the past year. Last August, former Badgers running back Montee Ball was assaulted in downtown Madison. The last suspect in that case was arrested late last week.

B5Q will have more on this situation as it develops.