"Been pushing all spring:" Wisconsin's Alex Hornibrook vying for starting quarterback position
MADISON-- Don't look now but the college football season is less than two months away. A Major League Baseball announcer is keeping his eye on the Wisconsin Badgers, and one player in particular -- even as he does his job in the broadcast booth this summer.
Alex Hornibrook
Either Bart Houston or Alex Hornibrook will be the starting quarterback at the University of Wisconsin this fall. Whoever wins the positional derby will have to replace Joel Stave, the school's all-time "winningest" quarterback.
If it's Hornibrook, he'll also be carrying on a family tradition of athletic success.
Alex Hornibrook
"We have a catch every now and again. We used to play a little burnout, I can't keep up with him anymore -- but as long as he just continues to be himself, he's a great kid and we love him to death and wish him the best," said Ben Davis, former Major League Baseball catcher.
Ben Davis
Ben Davis, "uncle Ben" to Hornibrook, is now a Philadelphia Phillies television broadcaster, calling the games of the team he grew up watching. He spent seven years in the big leagues as a catcher after being the second overall pick in the 1995 draft. He knows what competing at the highest level is all about and beams when discussing his nephew's situation.
Ben Davis
"He's very excited to be at the University of Wisconsin. He absolutely loves it. He's hopefully going to be given an opportunity to compete and being a quarterback in the Big Ten, what else could you ask for," said Davis.
Alex Hornibrook
Given some of the defenses that the Badgers face this season, that might not be such a fun question to answer. But Hornibrook is in the running to claim the starting job, a tall red shirt freshman left-hander, he offers a lot of what Coach Paul Chryst looks for in his offensive leader.
Alex Hornibrook
Through the off-season practices in Madison, he's shown notable progress and he continues to say all the right things when asked about his competition with the more experienced Houston for the job.
"I feel like it's kind of the same as it's been, we've both been pushing all spring. Coach Chryst likes to focus on individual and the development aspect at that position which I've been focusing on all spring. Every single day there's a new thing, whether it's a read or something I just need to clean up -- so the little things, every day get piled on. I just try to make that list smaller and get better at those," said Alex Hornibrook, Badgers quarterback.
Alex Hornibrook
Wisconsin's season starts on September 3rd, against LSU, so the coach will have to decide sooner rather than later who will be taking the snaps from center, one candidate's uncle will be keeping his eye on the proceedings.
FOX6's Tim Van Vooren: "You said you grew up watching the Phillies, where are you now on the Badgers? As a fan, are they up there on your list?"
Ben Davis: "Yeah, and obviously now for sure. They open the season at Lambeau, hopefully if Alex does get the nod, I think that's definitely a trip that we might just have to make."
It would be Davis' best road trip of the summer.
Alex Hornibrook
Uncle Ben and nephew, Alex, are from the same part of Pennsylvania as another guy who did pretty well with the Badgers -- recently retired basketball coach Bo Ryan.