Thank You, Alex Hornibrook

I think Wisconsin Badger fans owe quarterback Alex Hornibrook a big thank you for his UW career. I'm sure there are those that disagree.

Hornibrook, plagued by concussion issues last season, graduates in May. He still has a year of eligibility, and has decided to enter the transfer portal and play his final season elsewhere.

There are those critics who are cheering, but they forget that Hornibrook had a 26-6 career record, including 20-4 in the Big Ten. He completed 426 of 704 passes (60.51%) for 5,438 yards with 47 touchdowns and 33 interceptions.

And who can forget his electric Orange Bowl game on Dec. 31, 2017 -- earning game MVP honors by hitting 23 of 34 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns, beating a very, very good University of Miami defense, 34-24.

BUT, today's society takes a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately approach. After Hornibrook struggled in his injury-plagued season, I can see the logic.

It might well be that Hornibrook took a look around the rest of the Badger roster, where Jack Coan, Danny Vanden Boom, Chase Wolf and highly touted incoming freshman Graham Mertz will have battled him for the position (and thought about his concussions) and said enough is enough.

Keep in mind, there are many who feel that stellar quarterback play is the only thing keeping Wisconsin out of the national title picture. The Badgers are traditionally built around a strong running game, a great offensive line and a better-than-average defense. Big Red will NEVER be a throw-first offense, so attracting that upper tier quarterback (Mertz appears to be the exception) won't happen.

Thank you, Alex, for your efforts on the field and a classy exit from UW. Best of luck down the road!