Skip to main content

Player Spotlight: #8 Tanner Mordecai- A Quarterback's Journey to Success with the Badgers

From Texas roots to Wisconsin stardom, explore Tanner Mordecai's football history.
Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) is pursued b Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) while running the ball on a keeper during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) is pursued b Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) while running the ball on a keeper during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Stats

  • Position: Quarterback
  • Height: 6-2
  • Previous College: Oklahoma, SMU
  • High School: Midway
  • Jersey Number: #8

Early Life and High School Career

Tanner Mordecai hails from Waco, Texas. He spent his high school career at Midway High School where he threw for 4,797 yards with 51 touchdowns.

College Career

Mordecai got his college start at the University of Oklahoma where he played for 3 seasons. In 2018 he only played in 2 games, but in 2019 he was able to play 6 games. In their game against South Dakota, he had an impressive run of 114 yards and managed 2 touchdowns. In 2020 the sophomore played in 4 games and scored 2 touchdowns.

In 2021 Mordecai moved to SMU for his junior year where he started in all 12 games. Mordecai completed 308 passes for 3,628 yards with a record-breaking 39 touchdowns. He also had 8 games where he ran an impressive 300 yards each.

Mordecai stayed at SMU for his senior year 2022 and was again able to start in all 12 games. He completed 288 passes for 3,524 yards with 33 touchdowns and was able to pull off 10 interceptions.

He wrapped up his SMU career holding the top spot in the school's record books for 72 passing touchdowns and securing the third-highest total for passing yards with 7,152.

In 2023 the red-shirt senior switched to the University of Wisconsin. Mordecai has so far played in all 5 games of the season and will be starting in tomorrow's clash with Iowa.

Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Milestone Moments with the Badgers

Tanner Mordecai has been playing hard this season amassing 152 rushing yards and 1021 passing yards with a fantastic 49-yard rush during the recent game against Rutgers. Mordecai has pulled off 3 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing touchdowns with 3 interceptions so far this season.

Final Thoughts: From Waco to Wisconsin

From his humble beginnings at Midway High School to his record-breaking stints at SMU and current performance at the University of Wisconsin, Tanner Mordecai's football career has been a progression of milestones and challenges. As he gears up to face Iowa, it's clear that Mordecai is a player whose limits have yet to be found.

Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers by following us on Facebook: allbadgers247

Don't forget to join our Facebook community!