Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Mabrey Mettauer is starting fresh in a new year with a new team. After declaring his entry into the transfer portal on December 21, Mettauer has officially committed to join the Sam Houston Bearkats for the fall of 2025. He shared his commitment in a post on his X account.
Mettauer, a four-star recruit from the 2024 class, will be reconnecting with former Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Longo was appointed as the head coach of the Sam Houston Bearkats on December 18, following his dismissal from the Badgers in November. After serving as the primary backup for Wisconsin when Week 1 starter Tyler Van Dyke suffered an ACL injury, Mettauer managed to maintain his redshirt status by playing in just three games in 2024, completing only one pass for two yards. He will have four years of eligibility with the Bearkats.
This move also marks a return home for Mettauer, who hails from The Woodlands, Texas, located just 40 miles from the Sam Houston State campus in Huntsville.
Mettauer joins a competitive quarterback situation at Sam Houston, which is entering its third year in the FBS. In 2024, the Bearkats achieved a 10-3 record and finished third in Conference USA, making their first-ever bowl game appearance at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, where they triumphed 31-26 over Georgia Southern. This success came despite head coach K.C. Keeler’s departure to take the head coaching position at Temple University after the season.
In the 2025 quarterback room, Mettauer will compete with 2024 starter Hunter Watson, a sophomore who started 12 games last season, along with Central Michigan transfer Jase Bauer, who filled in during Watson’s injury. Bauer has entered the transfer portal again but has not yet found a new team. Watson finished the previous season with 1,811 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 62.3%.
Sophomore DJ Bailey and incoming three-star recruit Jax Brown will complete the quarterback lineup for the Bearkats in 2025.
While the starting quarterback for 2025 remains uncertain, Mettauer’s familiarity with head coach Phil Longo’s air raid offense may give him an advantage in the competition.
Mettauer Reunites With Phil Longo
Mabrey’s transfer to Sam Houston brings him back together with former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Longo, who served as the Badgers’ OC during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, took the helm as head coach of the Bearkats in December 2024 after being let go by Wisconsin in November due to disappointing performances from their offense. In addressing Longo’s firing, head coach Luke Fickell stated:
“This morning, I informed Phil Longo that he will no longer serve as our offensive coordinator. After further evaluation of the program, I concluded that we are not where we need to be, and I believe this decision is in the team’s best interest. I appreciate Phil’s dedication to helping us build our program over the last two seasons and wish him the best in his future endeavors. This team still has much to achieve, and I am committed to doing everything possible to end this season successfully.”
Under Longo’s leadership in 2024, the Badgers averaged 23.9 points and 363.1 yards per game, finishing with a 5-5 record. This marked the first time since 2001 that Wisconsin did not qualify for a bowl game, concluding the season at 5-7.
As for the Badgers’ quarterback situation in 2025, they will have significant questions to address following their toughest season since 2001. With Mettauer and 2024 starter Braedyn Locke transferring, Wisconsin will need to find a new starting quarterback. Tyler Van Dyke, who has one year of eligibility remaining after suffering an ACL injury in week 3 of 2024, has entered the transfer portal but has yet to commit to a new team.
A quarterback competition is expected for Wisconsin in 2025. The only QB from the 2024 roster who hasn’t transferred is Milos Spasojevic, a walk-on who did not see any playing time last season. Additionally, 2025 recruit Carter Smith will join the team in the spring.
Due to a shortage of experienced quarterbacks, the Badgers have turned to the transfer portal for their starting option in 2025. Former San Diego State QB Danny O’Neill and former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. have both committed to Wisconsin and are anticipated to compete for the starting role in training camp.
O’Neill, a former three-star recruit from the 2024 class, played in eleven games for the Aztecs last season, finishing with a 3-8 record. He passed for 2,181 yards, recording 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while achieving a completion percentage of 63.3%. Meanwhile, Edwards started 11 games for the Maryland Terrapins in 2024, with a 4-7 record, throwing for 2,881 yards, along with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Leave a Reply