Latest news with #HunterSimmons
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football lands commitment from veteran FCS transfer quarterback
Wisconsin football further bolstered its quarterback room on Wednesday, landing a commitment from Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons. Simmons entered the portal as a graduate transfer last month. He played in five games for Southern Illinois in 2024, starting three. He took over the team's quarterback job in late September after starter D.J. Williams went down with a hand injury. Simmons played well in his time under center, completing 73 of 128 pass attempts (57%) for 852 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, plus adding 57 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Of note, one of his three touchdown passes was a 44-yard strike to former Badger wide receiver Keontez Lewis. Advertisement The veteran's time as the Salukis' starter did not last long, however, as he suffered a season-ending leg injury during the team's Oct. 5 loss to Illinois State. He joins the Badgers with that limited starting stint being the only of his college career to date. Simmons slots into a Wisconsin quarterback room that also includes Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., San Diego State transfer Danny O'Neil and true freshman Carter Smith. Edwards is the clear starter entering 2025, with O'Neil the likely backup. After two years of significant injuries at the position, Wisconsin is clearly compiling as much depth as it can manage. Notably, Simmons follows former Southern Illinois offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Blake Rolan to Wisconsin. Rolan joined the program earlier this offseason as an assistant wide receivers coach. Advertisement The unranked transfer quarterback is Wisconsin's first portal addition of the spring. He is unlikely to be the last, with the team having major needs at left tackle, tight end and wide receiver. For more on the team's pursuits, bookmark our 2025 spring transfer window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football transfer portal quarterback Hunter Simmons commit
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin updated 2025 quarterback depth chart after Hunter Simmons' transfer commitment
Wisconsin updated 2025 quarterback depth chart after Hunter Simmons' transfer commitment The Wisconsin Badgers added more experience and depth to their quarterback room on Wednesday with a commitment from Southern Illinois graduate transfer Hunter Simmons. Simmons is the program's third transfer quarterback addition of the offseason and first overall addition of the spring window. He joins the program with a final year of eligibility remaining. The veteran started three games for Southern Illinois in 2024 before a leg injury ended his season. Those appearances included 57% completion, 852 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, plus 57 rushing yards and a score on 19 carries. He notably follows former Salukis offensive coordinator Blake Rolan to Wisconsin, who signed onto the program's staff this offseason as an assistant wide receivers coach. The Badgers have an entirely new quarterback room entering 2025, compared to the one that finished the 2024 season. Tyler Van Dyke transferred to SMU, Braedyn Locke to Arizona, Mabrey Mettauer to play for Phil Longo at Sam Houston State and Cole LaCrue to Eastern Illinois. Furthermore, in the high school ranks, class of 2025 signee Landyn Locke flipped to Sam Houston State, plus 2026 QB Jarin Mock decommitted. Such turnover is expected when a team reshapes its offensive scheme and identity under a new coordinator. The program fired Longo, who has since taken the head coach job at Sam Houston State, in mid-November. It then hired former Kansas and Baylor OC Jeff Grimes shortly after the season's conclusion. The program has landed three transfers and one high school quarterback since Grimes' arrival, plus kept the commitment from four-star class of 2025 signal-caller Carter Smith. With Simmons now part of that group, here is an updated look at the team's quarterback depth chart entering the 2025 season. Starter: Billy Edwards Jr. 2024 Stats (at Maryland): 273 of 420 passing (65%), 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 11 carries, 81 rushing yards, five rushing scores Edwards is Wisconsin's clear-cut starter entering the season. The senior excelled at Maryland in 2024, putting up impressive numbers despite a Big Ten-worst offensive line and supporting cast. He appears to be a perfect fit in Grimes' pro-style offense. With health, he shouldn't have much trouble registering Wisconsin's best quarterback season since at least 2019. Backup: Danny O'Neil 2024 Stats (at San Diego State): 209 of 330 passing (65%), 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions, 73 carries, 93 rushing yards, one rushing score O'Neil started as a true freshman in 2024. While his numbers were up-and-down, he transferred in with a rare combination of remaining eligibility (three years) and starting experience. The sophomore will back up Edwards in 2025 before competing for the starting job in 2026 and beyond. Further Depth Hunter Simmons (Southern Illinois transfer): Simmons is the likely third string behind O'Neil. He put up strong numbers in three starts in 2024 before a leg injury ended his campaign. His addition is a clear attempt by Wisconsin to avoid the situation it found itself in each of the last two seasons, when an injury to the starter made the room's depth razor-thin. (Southern Illinois transfer): Simmons is the likely third string behind O'Neil. He put up strong numbers in three starts in 2024 before a leg injury ended his campaign. His addition is a clear attempt by Wisconsin to avoid the situation it found itself in each of the last two seasons, when an injury to the starter made the room's depth razor-thin. Carter Smith (true freshman, four-star recruit): Smith is Wisconsin's likely quarterback of the future. The four-star recruit was 247Sports' No. 285 player in the class of 2025 and No. 24 quarterback. His addition, which actually followed Longo's firing, was a major win for the program. While his future appears bright, it's unlikely he factors into the team's depth chart this season. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Boston Globe
17-03-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
Some economists were relieved the numbers weren't worse. Still, many expect consumer spending will grow just 1 percent to 1.5 percent at an annual rate in the first three months of this year, far below the 4.2 percent gain in the final quarter last year. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Consumer spending is on track to slow sharply this quarter, but not by as much as we previously feared,' Stephen Brown, an economist at Capital Economics, a consulting firm, said in an email. Advertisement On Friday, a measure of consumer sentiment fell sharply for the third straight month and is now down more than 20 percent since December. Respondents to the University of Michigan's survey cited policy uncertainty as a leading reason for the gloomier outlook. While the respondents were divided sharply by party — sentiment about the current economy fell among Republican by much less than for Democrats — Republicans' confidence in the economy's future dropped 10 percent. Consumers from all income levels are feeling more strained. Hunter Simmons of Austin, Texas, who is a lawyer and journalist, said that the uncertainty around the economy because of the stock market turmoil and tariffs has made him more cautious about spending. He said he used to buy the more expensive farm fresh eggs, but now he's going for the cheapest eggs he can find. He's also been buying fewer fresh vegetables and fruits and has turned to frozen versions. And lately Simmons started to pay for gas in cash and is joining fuel rewards programs. Advertisement 'I am not a big spender in general, but I have been cutting back in small ways,' he said. A slew of earnings reports over the past few weeks from major retailers including Walmart, Macy's and Dollar General have cited a slowdown in spending. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer and a bellwether for the retail sector, released a weak outlook last month citing uncertainty around tariffs. February sales also fell last month at gas stations, clothing stores, and sporting goods stores. The figures aren't adjusted for prices, and the cost of gas also declined in February, which likely accounts for most of the drop. Excluding gas and autos, retail sales rose 0.5 percent, a healthier figure but still modest after a plunge of 0.8 percent in January. Also Monday, the National Association of Homebuilders said its index measuring builder sentiment fell three points to 39, the lowest level in seven months, as economic uncertainty dimmed builders' outlook and fewer potential buyers visited homes. "Economic uncertainty, the threat of tariffs and elevated construction costs pushed builder sentiment down in March," the group said. The homebuilders estimate tariffs will add $9,200 to the cost of a new home. Macy's says its customers, even at its upscale chains Bluemercury and Bloomingdale's, are feeling angst and its financial outlook this month reflects that. 'I think the affluent customer that's shopping Macy's is just as uncertain and as confused and concerned by what's transpiring,' Macy's CEO Tony Spring said at the time. Hiring has mostly held up and there are no signs that companies are laying off workers. As long as Americans have jobs, spending could remain resilient. But that is not assured. Advertisement Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said Thursday that the overall economic picture for his customers is not ideal and the company said it would close around 100 stores. 'Our customers continue to report that their financial situation has worsened over the last year as they have been negatively impacted by ongoing inflation ' Vasos said during an earnings call. 'Many of our customers report that they only have enough money for basic essentials, with some noting that they have had to sacrifice even on the necessities.' Spending patterns at Costco have changed to accommodate a soured view of the economy, including a shift toward ground beef and poultry instead of more expensive cuts of meat, said to Gary Millership, the company's chief financial officer. American Eagle Outfitters CEO Jay Schottenstein said angst is particularly high among younger customers. 'Not just tariffs, not just inflation," said Schottenstein. "We see the government cutting people off. They don't know how that's going to affect them. And when people don't know what they don't know – they get very conservative.' The retail sales report mostly just covers goods purchases — as well as restaurant sales — but there are signs Americans are cutting back spending on services as well. Airline executives at JP Morgan's airline industry conference last week said bookings have fallen. 'There was something going on with economic sentiment, something going on with consumer confidence," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian at the industry conference. D'Innocenzio reported from New York.
